Nottingham Casuals 67 Buxton nil

8th December 2018
Midlands 3 East North
Nottingham Casuals 67 V Buxton 0
Casuals made it ten out of ten in the league, with an emphatic 11 try win over 3rd placed Buxton.
After scraping through against 2nd placed Belper the previous week, it looked as if Casuals were in no mood for a repeat performance.

It took only 5 minutes for hooker Graeme “Griz” Roberts to get on the score card.
Casuals had knocked from the kick off, the ball being lost in the tackle, but that did not deter them as they powered up field.
Centre Alex Brownlie made a break clean through (the first of many), Buxton gave away the penalty in the tackle, a kick to touch, big drive from the forwards, and Roberts deftly picked up a loose ball, and simply stepped over the line. 5 – 0
Only a few minutes later, Full back Andy Crimmins came into the line, making ground up the right wing, the ball eventually found Mark Higgins. He chipped on, only to be obstructed by the Buxton No. 8, who got a yellow card for his effort. From the penalty to touch, well practiced bit of play, another clean lineout, maul, and Captain Stu Williams dived over for the 2nd score.
10 – 0
Alex Brownlie then set up the 3rd try as his scything run took him clean through again, and the link up with Kristianas Jakuba gave him a run in under the posts, Higgins converted and 17 – 0 to Casuals.

The 4th try was a great team effort, Casuals playing some lovely open Rugby, passing the ball around, making great ground.
The play eventually and inevitably led to a penalty to Casuals. Kick to touch, deep into Buxton territory.
Grizz Roberts was sent through for his 2nd try. 22 – 0 and the bonus point on 36 minutes.

Just before ½ time Alex Brownlie got his reward, as yet another massive break gave him room to simply sprint away unhindered, and add the 5th try. Unfortunately Yann Moysey’s debut kick at goal didn’t quite make it over the crossbar. 27 – 0
Turn round at half time

Only 3 minutes into the half, scorer turned provider again, as Brownlie A, sent winger Niall O’Kane off down the right, his speed taking him round to the posts to give Higgins the chance to add another 2 points.
34 – 0
Bit of time elapsed, but 12 minutes later, with Casuals in almost total control, Brownlie cruised through for his 2nd try, and Higgins again converted.
41 – 0
It didn’t take long for Casuals to extend the lead even further. They opted for a scrum on 5 metres after Buxton were penalised again, and O’Kane was on the end of the move for his 2nd try,.
46 – 0
The next try was again O’Kane on the end of the move, for his hat trick, but this time it was Chris Brownlie turning provider, taking a leaf out his brother’s book, as he broke through, to find the wing man.
53 - 0
The weather could have ruined the game, as the rain came down in bucket loads, and the gathering gloom, obscured play, but Casuals were undaunted.
2 forwards then added their name to the score sheet.

First Matt Fox timed his run to perfection, to romp in, taking a beautiful offload, to joyfully splash down, Higgins taking the score up to 60 – 0.
The afternoon’s scoring was finished off by 2nd rower, Kieran Maisonnet, as he broke from the back of a maul, to register the final try. Higgins added the 2 points, and the final score, a fantastic 67 points to nil.
A great game to watch for the Casuals spectators, in the foul weather.
A credit to all.
I’m sure Buxton might not share that view, but this was Casuals best performance of the season, and unfortunately the visitors suffered the pain.

Casuals now hold a 13 point lead in the league, with a 307 points difference, having scored 386 for, 79 against, underlining the importance and resilience of their defence.

1. Alex Hawkins
2. Graeme Roberts
3. Richard Gill
4. Kieran Maisonnet
5. Jon Ackroyd
6. Henry Franklin
7. Chris Brownlie
8. Stu Williams (C)

9. Mark Higgins
10. Yann Moysey
11. Kris Jakuba
12. Alex Brownlie
13. Brodie Howatson (VC)
14. Niall O'Kane
15. Andy Crimmins

16. Mina Abdalla
17. Matt Fox
18. Dan O'Connor