Dronfield 11 Casuals 26

12 January 2015

Nottingham Casuals RFC rugby report

10 January 2015

Midlands 2 East North
Dronfield 11 Casuals 26

Casuals carried on their improved form in the league, with a convincing win over Dronfield, cementing their position in the upper half of the league.
The conditions were not conducive to the type of game they have been playing in recent weeks, but Casuals made light of the wind, the cold and the very slippy, muddy pitch, to produce a superb display of team work.
Starting against the slope and the wind, Casuals soon went on the attack, but were initially frustrated by Dronfield, and were not able to turn territorial advantage into points. Dronfield managed to escape from defence, and went into Casuals ½ to be awarded a penalty which was converted, to give Dronfield a short lived lead.
Casual's forwards went through the phases, and built an attack with good interplay and support work which advanced Casuals well upfield, and when they released the ball, the backs quickly put it down the line, and left wing Steve Naylor shipped a super pass to Chris Brelsford, who had looped the full width of the field from the right wing to run in to get the try. Unfortunately the wind prevented the conversion from Higgins.
After 20 minutes Dronfield came back on the attack, and took play right downfield with a penalty kick to touch.
Casuals defence held firm, for a long period, knocking back all Dronfield’s attacks, but they finally conceded another penalty on 35 minutes, which was kicked to give Dronfield a slender 1 point lead going into the break.
Given the wind blowing downfield, it was to be expected that Casuals would keep play in Dronfield’s half, but Dronfield’s determination kept the game competitive to the end.
However it was Dronfield’s handling that let them down, and when the ball was spilt on halfway, Brodie Howatson pounced, and his speed took him through the smallest of gaps, and he emerged to shoot away from the despairing defence for an unchallenged touchdown under the posts, which Mark Higgins converted.
Casuals 3rd try came courtesy of another dropped ball, this time as they were setting up an attack through the backs, Dronfield’s full back inexplicably dropped the ball, Naylor deftly scooped up the ball, and ran 70 metres through the gloop (Gloop not gloom). Higgins converted
What looked like a comfortable lead, was short-lived, as Dronfield showed their resolve, to come back into the game with a try of their own, reducing the deficit to 8 points.
However Casuals responded by going back onto the attack, pounding Dronfield’s defensive line, and finally Higgins went on mazy run across the face of the posts, and skidded through for the 4th try, and the bonus point, sealing the win with his 3rd conversion.

Next week Casuals welcome Loughborough to Canalside, hoping to avenge the defeat earlier in the season.
Casuals cannot play as badly again as they did in the away fixture, and on the form of Saturday, they should record a win.

There is a lunch prior to the game, for more details see main page