HMP Ranby v Casuals 2nd XV

And so we faced HMP Ranby. With photo id in hand and WAGs staying at home we travelled North. The closure of the A614 turned an hour drive into a hour and a half drive and after the security checks we had less than 15 minutes before kick off.

There was a welcoming ‘guard of honour’ waiting for us outside the changing rooms and after a quick change and we were escorted through the busy gym and many fences out to the pitch. “Free food and the gym all day, what a life!”, commented a jealous Joe Barton as we passed through. The Warden has agreed to send him the brochure.

As we approached the pitch our hosts disappeared into their changing room and despite the welcoming noise from the guests of I-Wing the tension was building. A quick inspiring talk and it was game time, Casuals to kick off.

Ranby were, unsurprisingly a physically strong side and ran at Casuals. Our forwards and backs put in some good tackles to keep them at bay, but, it was clearly going to be a tough day at the office. Ranby gave a penalty away in their 22 and Gav Wise put Casuals 0-3 up.

Ranby hit back soon enough. From a Casuals line out in Ranby territory they won the ball and ran in down the line to score, Casuals tackles not enough to prevent the swift Ranby winger scoring.

Casuals had plenty in the bank though, rode the hits and scored back through Gav Wise who used his weighty 9.5 stone body to smash through in the corner. If Northampton Saints weren’t watching him, they will be now... he couldn’t convert though from a wide angle.

More Casuals pressure saw a penalty 5 yards out. Kingy took the quick tap and managed to touch down, the ref however bought it back, Kingy, too quick on this occasion. The Casuals were mauling well and managed to gain ground on most occasions. The lineout was good, thanks Ras, and the Scrum was also going well which resulted in Tilley touching down from the base of a forward moving scrum. Casuals couldn’t convert again.

Ranby were made of stern stuff though and once their game got going it was hard to stop them, riding tackles they got another deserved try, converted well. Half time, Casuals one point down.

In the second half the pressure was on Casuals. Ranby drove and drove, Cas throwing their bodies on the line to save the game. Henry Franklin always in the middle of it. A last gasp tackle by Gav & Ed in the corner prevented another try. Good hard running by Joe Barton and Tilley the Casuals response.

Casuals got a penalty in range, up stepped Kingy to slot home the points. 14-16 and Cas were up by 2 with the clock ticking. But, with the crowd bellowing for more Ranby scored another good try, they couldn’t convert.

The last 5 minutes belonged to Casuals, pressure in the Ranby 22, an overlap to the open on the left with the backs screaming for the ball, Kingy went right.... Rex made sure it was the right decision and scored right in the corner. 19-21.

Kingy took the conversion, and, got it provoking elated, but controlled, celebration. 19-23 final score.

Ranby are a decent rugby outfit and will no doubt take teams this season. They should be congratulated for playing powerful, direct and disciplined rugby. We also thank for them for being sporting and accommodating with the squad list during the security checks.

A quick shower and long drive home. Casuals 2nd XV have 22 points from the last 4 games. Not bad.