Ashfield 19 Casuals 43

Midlands 2 East North
Ashfield 19 Casuals 43

A dominant second half saw Casuals overhaul Ashfield's half time lead with 6 tries after the interval, and put paid to the home sides stubborn resistance.
Casuals were again forced into a raft of changes due a host of un-availabilities and late withdrawals, but that did not stop their momentum, as the new formation started to gell.
Casuals welcomed Andy Crimmins, another newbie in the ranks, unexpectedly for him, shoved into the starting line up, Yann Moysey deservedly held his place at 10 after his league debut the previous week, Joe Barton promoted from the bench, and Andy Harris back from a lay off, subbing.
(Need a team sheet to keep up)

Casuals played into the wind in the 1st half, but just like the previous week, their over anxiety saw them forcing play, resulting in some wayward passing, losing possession in critical positions.
They were first to score after 13 minutes.
A scrum to Casuals deep in Ashfield’s half set up a simple phase of play, the forwards recycled the ball, and a sharp passing move saw Brodie Howatson commit the defence. His offload gave Niall O’Kane room to exploit a gap on the outside to whip through to the try line, touching down in the corner. Higgins converted from near touch into the wind!!!
Ashfield, kept Casuals’ defences busy, eventually getting through firstly for an unconverted try after 20 minutes, then taking the lead, late in the first half, 12 – 5 at the interval.
It never looked enough, as Casuals had the wind advantage in the second half, and so it proved.
After some great forward play, keeping possession through a series of rucks and mauls, taking play deep into Ashfield’s half. The ball was shipped out to the right where O’Kane was on the end of another passing movement to get in wide out, scores now level at 12 apiece.
Just a few minutes later, Casuals kicked ahead, a poor clearance gave Casuals got a throw in inside Ashfield’s 22, and yet again Casuals’ forwards showed their power, driving the maul up to the line, to gift Graeme Roberts the simplest of touch downs, Casuals taking the lead.
Another 10 minutes and another try.
Yann Moysey then kicked deep, Casuals regained possession, and Graeme Roberts lurking on the wing crossed for his second try.
5 minutes later, and Ashfield were penalised for offside, a simple kick to touch by Higgins led to the lineout, and some short inter-passing gave Captain Stu Williams just enough room to stretch over for Casuals’ 5th try., which was converted by Higgins. 12 = 29
Ashfield gave back briefly, with a try through midfield, which was converted, closing the game to 10 points.
But it was only a brief revival, as Casuals turned the screw.
Roberts completed his hat trick, taking advantage of Casuals forwards hard work again, only having to dot down, with another conversion from Higgins, 19 – 36.,
Casuals kept play deep n Ashfield territory, by now totally dominant, despite only having 14 men, yellow to Hawkins.
A kick to touch again from a penalty and the final score came down the right wing, where late call up Steve Naylor performed his usual blast through the defence for a try wide on the left, Higgins adding the extras.

19 – 43. A highly satisfying score line, considering the patched up nature of the team.
A rest next weekend, before Bakewell are the visitors in a cup and league double on the 17th at Canalside.

https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/midlands-division/2018-2019/group/26184#/table

15 ANDREW CRIMMINS
14 KRISTIANAS JAKUBA
13 NIALL O’KANE
12 BRODIE HOWATSON
11 DANIEL CLARKE
10 YANN MOYSEY
9 HIGGINS MARK
1 ALEX HAWKINS
2 PETER UNDERWOOD
3 STEPHEN BARANIAK
4 MATTHEW FOX
5 JOE BARTON
6 ROBERTS GRAEME
7 CHRISTOPHER BROWNLIE
8 STUART WILLIAMS
The Bench
16 RICHARD GILL
17 ANDREW HARRIS
18 STEPHEN NAYLOR

https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/midlands-division/2018-2019/group/26184#/table

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