Market Bosworth 36 Nott’m Casuals 13

Saturday 25th Feb 2012
Midlands 2 East North
Market Bosworth 36 Nott’m Casuals 13

Casuals introduced Dom Rollo-Walker into the centre, moving Brodie Howatson to stand off.
Lewis Brown and Joe Barton formed a new partnership at second row, and Joss Clark and Tim McNaughton later came off the bench, to the wing and back row respectively..

Bosworth showed why they are sitting high in the league, but Casuals gifting them the ball did help them a bit,losing possession at crucial times, such as the first score. Casuals were in MB’s 22, but they surrendered the ball, and the clearing kick took play deep in to Casuals territory. Bosworth forwards then drove over from a lineout for the try.
Casuals showed that they could compete, and they kept the pressure on, pinning Bosworth back in their own half.
Eventually after a series of rucks and mauls, it was Joe Barton who tucked the ball under his arm and pushed the defence out of his way as his lateral run eventually took him over to level the scores.
But Casuals benevolence was exploited when a move by Casuals in their half resulted in a try. A beautifully timed passed was latched onto, unfortunately the recipient was an Bosworth man running in the opposite direction, and he had an easy run in for the next try. Not what you want when you’ve just scored. (Comment from the touchline – props shouldn’t be in the 3’s let alone passing the ball)
Higgins pulled 3 points back with a penalty moments later.
But Bosworth then managed 2 really soft tries.
Casuals were under no pressure when they ran the ball from the base of a scrum, but Bosworth were awarded a penalty, and it took just one pass to send the runner to the line.
Poor tackling in the centre when Bosworth ran the ball from the scrum, allowed them to take route one to the line, to take them to the break 24 – 8 up. A slight wind in their favour in the second half should have given Casuals an advantage, but they did not keep possession long enough, and some aimless kicking allowed Bosworth to keep Casuals at bay.
The next try was a result of a poor kick when Casuals were on the attack, which Bosworth easily dealt with and they ran straight back, inter-passing, eventually going 70 metres for the touchdown.

Casuals once again managed to go upfield, and when a ruck developed 30 metres out, Joe Barton emerged from the back pounding clean through some very uninterested tacklers, taking the final defender over the lne for his second try.

But that was Casuals last bit of defiance as Bosworth came back with another try to seal the win.
Much easier than it should have been, but Casuals really must learn to keep hard worn possession, and not to squander the chances that are created.
When the front five have won possession it’s vital to retain the ball, and not run up blind alleys and give it away, or kick when there’s no need.