Amber Valley 8 Casuals 22

Another double, but not as easy as the previous week, but far more satisfying in view of the nature of the game. The pitch was a great leveller (No didn’t say it was level), as the mud looked likely to prevent a feast of running rugby. Casuals eventually made light of the conditions, grateful at least for the good weather.

Amber Valley learnt that Casuals have developed a resolve that gets them through 80 minutes (in this.case 94 minutes)
Once again a sound defence was the basis for the win, the forwards putting in a gargantuan effort both keeping Valley forwards in check and giving the backs the ball to score the tries.
Even 3 yellow cards did not daunt them, even though the alleged offences were difficult to understand.**********
Casuals approach was to shrug their shoulders and simply get on with the job in hand.

Amber Valley converted a penalty to take an early lead, but Casuals soon struck back.

Lock Howard Sanderson fielded a poorly directed clearance kick, and after a short trundle the ball was moved down the line to Ben Wilkinson who made it look simple as he charged down the 5 metre tramline to touch down wide out.
Brodie Howatson added a superb conversion to give Casuals the lead.

After 25 minutes Valley were awarded a scrum near Casuals line, they took it down he blindside, and although they deserved the try to regain the lead, the ball was actually dropped over the line, but the referee obviously did not see it.
8 – 7 to Valley at half time

The second half brought some interesting exchanges, but Casuals were up for the challenge.

Casuals first score came from a hanging Higgins kick, and Will Drewe “scragged” the Valley ball catcher, and he took the ball from his grasp, giving it to Howatson who squeezed through the smallest of gaps near the right touchline, and as seen so often, left the defenders for dead with an electric turn of pace.

Howatson given the duties again, then cracked a beauty of a penalty.

Another high kick from Higgins up to the Valley try line gave the defender no time at all, and the combined challenge of Oli Mott and Ben Wilkinson was too much for him, Wilkinson grabbing the ball, and running in for a deserved score for Casuals.
Howatson was successful again with the kick (Where have you been hiding your kicking talent Mr H)

Casuals then had to withstand a torrent of penalties as Valley launched several attacks on Casuals line, but the Casuals players put their all into defence, none more so than Leon Jackson and Howard Sanderson, joint men of the match, Big H earning a headache for his troubles, when his cranium came into contact with a stray limb.

Playing with 14 men, due to the 3 yellow cards, for 30 minutes of the second half made it the job slightly more difficult, but Casuals were resolute enough to overcome that minor setback.

Well done Casuals
Next week another tough one, Melbourne away, 3pm kick off