Nuneaton Old Eds 62 Casuals 33

Saturday 20th October
Midlands East 2 North

Casuals can take great heart from this performance, even though Nuneaton ran in 10 tries to Casuals 5.
In a game where the result seemed more like a basketball score, Casuals efforts were plain to see.
What was more noticeable was the changed attitude, obviously players had taken heed, and left the moaning to the spectators.

In a game where the breakdown became a bit of a free for all, possession changed hands readily.

More noticeable were the number of dropped balls, which helped Casuals
more than Nuneaton at times, eapecially when they were spilled near the try line, both in attack and defence.

Nuneaton started like an express train and got into Casuals 22 very quickly, getting over for a try within minutes of the start.
With all the pressure they were exerting it seemed as if Casuals could be in for a very hard afternoon.
However only 2 more minutes had elapsed when Casuals responded.
Steve Sarno covering back caught a kick ahead and quickly linked with debutant Omar Dixon, and he sliced through the oncoming players to sprint to the line unchallenged, and Mark Higgins gained the lead for Casuals.
Unfortunately the early warning signs of a hard afternoon Casuals soon became apparent. as Nuneaton posted another 3 tries to go to half time 24 - 7 up.
The second half was no easier at the start.

When Casuals were awarded a scrum, the ball was passed to the right where Mike Rollason coming in from full back created the overlap, and timed a pass superbly to give Gareth Austin a relatively easy run in.
Higgins converted.

Casuals almost got within touching distance, when Nuneaton defenders fumbled a Higgins kick ahead, and Dixon rushed in to nudge the ball forward with his foot out of the defenders reach and then ran on to pick up and score.
But the mini revival was halted as Nuneaton ran in anothe 2 tries to stretch their lead again.
However Casuals spirited play enabled them to turn the game their way for a time, and another fumbled ball in defence by Nuneaton allowed Barny Ward, who had come as sub, to kick and chase for the next Casuals score.
Joe Barton profited from a series of attacks by Casuals, and he managed to just stretch over the line for Casuals 5th try, Higgins converted putting Casuals within one score of Nuneaton at 36 - 33.

Nuneatons forwards then took control and it was their concerted mauls and close quarter moves that took them away for 4 more tries, and with Casuals wilting in the face of this style of play, Nuneaton eventually ran out winners, but not before Casuals had showed their resoluteness and defensive qualities.

A strange game to watch, and the free for all that was loosely called rucks and mauls made it a quite an open game. Maybe even with better control of those areas, Nuneaton probably would have won, but it was certainly a good test for Casuals.

Next week Oakham at home, let's see some positive support for Casuals down at Canalside