Kesteven 7 Nottingham Casuals 31

Kesteven 7 points Nottingham Casuals 31
11th straight win in the league, hitting 53 league points , whilst amassing 9 try bonus points.
5 tries in total, 4 before ½ time and the try bonus point, a fifth try in the second half, against a penalty try to Kesteven.
Casuals much changed side can be proud of their performance, late withdrawals bringing in several players, who served Casuals proud.

The weather played a major part in the game, with temperatures hovering just above freezing, a strong downfield wind, and for the second week a barrage of rain throughout, making conditions extremely unpleasant for players as well as the intrepid spectators who made the trip to support, getting their reward in another dominant display.
(Not so good if you’re stationed on the wing.)

Casuals played with the wind in the first half, and that proved crucial as the game rolled out.
The first scrum came within seconds as the ref adjudged the kick had not reached the 10 metre line, strange as it had crossed the line without being touched, but Casuals were marched back to the centre.
Certainly caused some raised eyebrows.
However it didn’t cause any great problem to the visitors, as they made their way back upfield.
16 minutes. Andy Crimmins, fielding a kick out by Kesteven, broke through the defences, and found Dan in close support to cross for the 1st try. 0 – 5
The 2nd try came from a well practiced tactic. A kick to touch from a penalty, and Matt Fox went over from the maul to make it 10 nil.
The 3rd try followed almost immediately. Kesteven’s kick off went to Brodie Howatson, and he found acres of room as the hosts defensive line was almost inactive as he raced through, offloading to Jon Ackroyd just short of the try line, and he had a short run in for the touchdown, the conversion following from Mark Higgins. 17 to nil
The 4th and last try of the half was a result of some great interpassing.
Matt Fox made the initial run, Kieran Maisonnet carried on the run, linking with Kris Jakuba, sending Andy Crimmins in, with Higgins adding the conversion. 24 – nil, and the try bonus point.
Unfortunately captain Stu Williams was despatched to the sin bin four minutes from ½ time by Sir, adjudging his tackle to be illegal, not dangerous, just a bit high.
Casuals 2nd half play was not quite as dominant,
Any penalties were run, as kicks to touch were ruled out, as they had to contend with the increasing wind.
Casuals also seemed concede an inordinate number of penalties, Kesteven using the wind to push Casuals back.
Maisonnet’s run took Casuals deep into Kesteven’s half, but the ball was lost forward
Fortunately Kesteven messed up at scrum, and Henry Franklin helped himself to the try, with a run in under the posts, Higgins adding another conversion, completing Casuals’ scoring.
Casuals then found themselves on the defence as the referee deemed they were constantly in breach of the laws, especially at the scrum.
A collapse on the 10 metre line was followed by a second close to Casuals’ try line, which was enough to earn Kesteven a penalty try. No warning, no reset, bang thank you, no yellow card.
With the pitch getting increasingly cut up and wet, a bit of empathy might have been in order.

No matter, Casuals had no problem in closing out the game without any further drama.
Win number 11 under the belt, and off the carol singing.

Thank you to Kesteven for the hospitality, the warming meal, and a decent pint of Bateman’s.

15 Daniel O'Connor
14 Ted Swales
13 Daniel Clarke
12 Brodie Howatson
11 Kristianas Jakuba
10 Mark Higgins
9 Andrew Crimmins
1. Alex Hawkins
2 Peter Underwood
3 Stephen Baraniak
4 Kieran Maisonnet
5 Ackroyd Jon
6 Matthew Fox
7 Graeme Roberts
8 Stuart Williams

Substitutes
16 Amaury Montarnal (FR)
17 Henry Franklin
18 Andrew Harris

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