23rd Jan 2010 Casuals 32 Mellish nil

On a day that Casuals fielded 4 sides, the 3 home sides all had wins, to mark this momentous occasion. Unfortunately the 2nds lost out by 3 points away at Mellish.
The1sts and 3rds beat Mellish, whilst the long awaited 1st game for the 4ths (15 years or more?) resulted a greatly satisfying scoreline against Rolls Royce 2nds who stepped in late after both teams had games cancelled, (both against Cresswell.1sts)
Thanks to the 3rd and 4ths Captains for their efforts in getting the sides on the pitch

Midlands 3 East (North)

Casuals 32 points Mellish nil

Casuals locked horns with local rivals Mellish for the 3rd time this season, and this time they got the result their efforts merited, keeping Casuals joint top of the table.
Had they been able to replicate the scoring in the first half, it would have reflected their supremacy, in all departments,but keeping Mellish to nil points was a huge bonus, Casuals defence being as big an influence as their attacking abilities.

It took 20 minutes to get a score on the board
A late tackle by Mellish, gave Mark Higgins a simple penalty kick at goal.

Mellish conceded a string of penalties in the ensuing minutes, allowing Casuals to move upfield, and when they won a scrum near the Mellish goal line, No 8 Josh Tilford broke through for the try, which Higgins converted with a pretty decent kick.

With the forwards working tirelessly, gaining steady possession even turning over Mellish scrum and lineout ball, Casuals started to string together some decent moves, and when Mellish lost possession at a ruck, Casuals shipped the ball out to the left wing, where Ben Wilkinson took a poor pass in his stride, and went round te defenders to score under the posts, Higgins again converting.

2 minutes later the forwards were again instrumental in setting up a score.
They mauled their way downfield, gaining immense territory, before flanker Lewis Brown broke through, the try giving Casuals a 22 – 0 half time lead..

The second half was a point free zone for at least 30 minutes, Casuals sitting back on their lead, but never allowing Mellish much room to construct any decent moves.
Time and again Mellish attacks foundered on a solid Casuals defence.
The last10 minutes asaw a late flurry of scoring.

Casuals forwards again won the ball midfield, and Joe Barton, with one of his typical bludgeoning runs, took play upfield, the pack won quick ball at the breakdown, and Higgins floated a long pass to Will Drewe, and he ran past a totally stranded defence for the try.

The final score was a basic effort, Rex Walker broke from a 5 metre scrum, and scrum half Dave Mellor was on hand to barge through to the line for the touchdown.

Unfortunately neither try was converted.

Man of the match went to lock Andy Gill who put in a sterling effort, before an injury put paid to his afternoon.

Next week Casuals look forward to a visit from Worksop.