N. Casuals 26. Spalding 3

Midlands 3 East North
Casuals 26 Spalding 3
Casuals weathered a poor first half, but came good to run in 4 tries.
The opening few minutes were very shaky, interlaced with some good rugby. Unfortunately there were too many spilled passes, and handling errors.
Casuals could be accused of being over eager, which led to a bit of a disjointed first 20, but the general play gradually improved.
Casuals gave a league debut to Yann Moysey at 10, and once again un-availabilities led to a few changes.
Jakuba and O’Kane (last week’s hat trick hero) moved to the wings, Howatson went back to full back, Steve Baraniak started at prop, swapping with Richard Gill and Joe Barton, on the bench.
Casuals started with a good take from the kick off, play went downfield to inside Spalding’s 22, they then cleared from a scrum, centre Manny Cammarata made some good ground, a promising move which ended in a knock on.
Spalding eventually broke out, kicking deep, the ball was fumbled by Casuals, they then conceded a penalty, which was converted to give Spalding a brief lead. 0 – 3 after 10 minutes
The restart from Casuals was poor, and Spalding took a scrum on halfway, which Casuals managed to steal, but some lousy passing meant Spalding got some relief, and they kicked out of defence, only for Brodie Howatson to run back about 30 metres, before another pass went astray.
The next phase started from a penalty against Spalding, and a kick to touch for a lineout, close to Spalding’s line, which Casuals managed to lose.
More frustration, and it began to show, passes again went awry, and Casuals began to ship some penalties.
Casuals Stu Williams then stole Spalding lineout ball, he then went through, Kris Jakuba and Nick York combined, but the ball was held up over the line, and Casuals were awarded a 5 metre scrum. Casuals again failed to take advantage.
Even though more mistakes crept into their play, with ball dropped at vital times, Casuals got to Spalding’s line with Williams being held up, Casuals got a scrum, shoving Spalding back over the try line, and Mark Higgins had a simple touch down at the base. 5 – 3 on 32 minutes
That was the score going into half time.
Casuals took play to Spalding straight from the kick off, but more frustration as yet another move went to ground.
Spalding then had a 5 minute spell of possession, which ended when their No.8 decided to kick at goal from 42 metres, fortunately missing by a good 20 metres, so a bit of an escape. Casuals were then reduced to 14 men, earning a yellow card for a challenge long after a kick ahead.
Jakuba then showed the way with a scything diagonal run, but his reward was to get absolutely flattened by a reckless tackle which saw Spalding’s number 8, very luckily, receive only a yellow card.
The kick to touch from the penalty, lineout possession turned into a maul, and Casuals drove 30 metres to the line, allowing Higgins another easy try, which he converted, 12 – 3 after 15 minutes of the second period.
Gradually Casuals upped their game, and after a roasting from Captain Stu Williams, they knuckled down to put the result beyond doubt.
Five minutes later Kieran ‘Frenchy’ Maisonnet made a huge break through the middle, and romped in from 40 metres, Higgins again converted, the score rising to 19 points to 3.
Finally Spalding were penalised, and Casuals were able to pin back Spalding’s defence, Higgins grasping the opportunity to scoot through for his third try, which he converted, giving Casuals the bonus point, and a comfortable win.
Can't always play the rugby spectators want to see, but the second half certainly showed what the team can produce. A bonus point win after playing some patch rugby must be a huge plus in anybody’s book, but Casuals need to settle down and not allow their frustrations with their own play, to hinder them.
Put it down as a one off
Casuals now head the table, 6 wins out of 6.
A win is a win, everyone happy with the final outcome, but a bit of work to be done.
(N’est pas??)

Team
15 BRODIE HOWATSON
14 KRISTIANAS JAKUBA
13 EMANUELE CAMMARATA
12 NICHOLAS YORK
11 NIALL O KANE
10 YANN MOYSEY
9 MARK HIGGINS
1 ALEX HAWKINS
2 PETER UNDERWOOD
3 STEPHEN BARANIAK
4 KIERAN MAISONNET
5 SIMON ROBERTS
6 GRAEME ROBERTS
7 HENRY FRANKLIN
8 STUART WILLIAMS

16 GILL RICHARD
17 BARTON JOE

Next week Casuals travel to Ashfield in the league, 2.15 kick off
Post Code for the ground NG17 5FA

Penny Emma Way just off A38.
More info on the website

Message from Ashfield

Food after a short drive back down the road, directions on the day.

If you could let supporters know we don't allow dogs at the ground.
We been having a few turn up.