Casuals overcome first half deficit for a fantastic win

16 February 2013

Mdlands 2 East North

Nottingham Casuals 44 Bakewell 17

Casuals got the bonus point in this emphatic win over Bakewell, but the scoreline does not tell the full story.

Casuals went behind to a penalty after only 4 minutes, and Bakewell capitalised on some poor Casuals defence 6 minutes later, going through some very weak tackling to get a converted try.

Casuals mounted an attack from the kick off, with Jon Ackroyd running through from deep, Casuals eventually were awarded a scrum near Bakewell’s try line. It still required some hard graft, but eventually Dave Cobain got through to bring Casuals an unconverted try.
Unfortunately Casuals gifted Bakewell the next score, when a clearance kick was easily charged down, and then some inept defence let the visitors in for another converted try.
It was looking all too familiar at this stage, but Casuals brought themselves back into the game again.

Bakewell sent a long kick downfield to Ben Hallam and he zipped through a gap, bringing play well into Bakewell’s half, linking up with Brodie Howatson. He deftly slipped the ball back to Hallam, who then had a clear run in for the try, which this time was converted by Mark Higgins.
Casuals kept up the pressure, and despite losing the ball on their own put-in at a lineout, in a great field position, still managed to be awarded a penalty which Higgins duly converted, making an half time scoreline of 15 -1 7.

It just seemed that the game could be won, if Casuals got their act together, with enough possession in the first half, it should have been advantage Casuals at this stage.
The forwards in particular were providing enough ball, especially off the lineout, with Cobain taking most of his ball, and the interplay in the loose, gained Casuals a lot of ground.
And it was Cobain who got the first try of the second half, when he again forced his way over following a scrum, Higgins added the conversion.
Steve Sarno then set up an attack from near the half way line, and when Bakewell offended, Higgins put over another penalty.
Sarno then was rewarded with a score, when Higgins made a break from a scrum, and Higgins made it a 7 pointer with the conversion.

Casuals confidence was certainly high by now, and they easily contained Bakewell’s attacks, despite being down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
In the latter stages of the game, with Bakewell forwards truly being second best by now, Casuals drove a scrum over the line, and Tim McNaughton gratefully accepted a gift of a try, which Higgins turned into another 7 pointer.
Casuals backs were at last enjoying the possession as they showed what they are capable of, and even if not all the moves worked, they certainly gave Bakewell's backs a torrid time.

Finally Dom Rollo-Walker got his just reward for his efforts in the centre. With Casuals deep in their own half, they turned over Bakewell’s scrum, and a move nearly the full length of the pitch, saw Rollo-Walker get in to cap off a fine win for Casuals.

Casuals attitude in this game was exemplified by the forwards determination throughout, but everyone who took to the pitch can congratulate themselves. Not only was it a good win, but it was entertaining to watch.