Saturday 30th April 2011

Nottingham Moderns 27 Nottingham Casuals 35

Casuals progressed to the finals of the NLD Shield after a nerve tingling game at Wilford.
It was President’s day at Moderns, and they had no doubt hoped for a win to top the day.
But Casuals spoilt the party with a 2nd half display of tenacity against the wind, that thwarted Moderns.

The first half started somewhat controversially when the Referee awarded a penalty kick at goal, which the touch judges had deemed had gone under the bar.
Casuals then took the lead when they drove the Moderns scrum back over the line and Ben Wellsgrabbed the touchdown.
The lead was short lived when Moderns went blind from a scrum near Casuals line, and the score went to 8 – 5.

Casuals however took control the game for the remainder of the half.
Brodie Howatson showed his pace again when he capitalised on possession from a lineout.
Casuals won their put in, and after some messing about, the ball was kicked ahead, then it was regained and Howatson was on hand to finish the move.
Moderns were dispossessed again at a maul, and this time is was Charlie Bradwell who picked up the loose ball, and carved his way through the centre, totally outpacing the defence to score under the posts.
Mark Higgins converted.
Moderns were then robbed of the ball again, and this time Gareth Austin cut through to zip in for the next try. Higgins again converted.

Higgins kicked 2 penalties for offences around the ruck and maul to conclude the half and give Casual a score of 30 points to 8.

Casuals knew they had a task on their hands in the second half, with the strong wind in their faces.

Moderns got their first score when the scrum half went in after a scrum in Casuals 22.
Unfortunately for Moderns they seemed to succumb to Casuals tackling and pressure, and consistently managed to drop and knock the ball on, in sometimes try scoring situations.

But Casuals fought back, Bradwell taking another spilled ball out of Casuals 22 , the run subsequently leading to a lineout near Moderns try line.
Casuals turned the possession into a maul and they drove Moderns backwards at pace. Higgins saw the gap on the narrow side and ran in for the try.
Sadly at this point a fracas developed, and Casuals lost a player which obviously looked as if it might be match turning.

Moderns managed two more converted tries, but with a Moderns player eventually being yellow carded, Casuals managed to regain their dominance, and saw the game to it’s conclusion camped in Moderns 22, but unable to finish with another score.

A great result, and hopefully not at a cost to Casuals.
Comments not welcome about the sending off, as we don't want anything to prejudice the case, thanks.