Nottingham Casuals vs. Kesteven (06/04/2019)

Despite a more than valiant performance, Kesteven 1st XV lost their five-game winning run at the hands of champions-elect Nottingham Casuals. Tries from Dan Turner, Gavin Purvis, Aaron Whittaker and Harry Cox secured a try-bonus point but Casuals proved their undefeated status with a strong 2nd half performance to take the victory.

It was K’s that drew first blood early on in the contest. After working their way downfield, scrum-half Ben Whinney connected with back-row Turner, who scythed through the Casuals defence to dot down for the first score of the afternoon. Whinney slotted his first conversion. But Nottingham replied almost instantly. An attacking line out deep in the visitors’ half gave a platform for the Casuals inside centre to storm through some soft defence to then dot down, with the conversion added.

Casuals game plan was to move the ball at pace, shifting the point of contact, working the K’s. The ball was worked wide and the Casuals winger broke through to score under the posts for a converted try. However, Kesteven got themselves back in the game. Some solid defence in midfield stemmed the Casuals attack and earned the visitors a penalty. After a kick to the corner, the line out was fumbled but captain Purvis was there to force his way over into the corner from close range. Whinney struck the conversion from the sideline and the two sides were back to where they started.

K’s were more than matching their opposition and grew in confidence as the game progressed. After the claiming the restart, Kesteven attacked once more. A smart chip over the top of the rushing defence from Adam Draper was collected by the fly-half and his pass eventually found fullback Whittaker who rounded the Casuals defenders with ease to score on the left. Whinney’s shot at goal was wide of the uprights.

K’s grabbed a fourth score through winger Harry Cox. Another break from Turner punctured the home defence and the ball was worked wide to the youngster who crossed over in the corner. Whinney’s conversion was just wide. Although Casuals mauled their way over for a late 1st half try, Ben Whinney struck a penalty as the last kick of the half to make it a six-point game at the break.

As the second period got underway, it was clear that both sides upped the tempo, often cancelling each other out, leading to errors. Nine minutes in, Casuals crossed over after several phases of resolute K’s defence. With the conversion falling short, K’s held a slender one point lead.

Whinney pushed a penalty just wide with the chance to further the lead to four, and from here Casuals began to hit the front. Some debatable calls from the referee favoured the hosts and K’s were pinned back in their half for some time. Casuals ran in a further unconverted try after maintaining possession for some time and added a straightforward penalty.

Despite a late resurgence from K’s playing most of the rugby in the home half, it was too little too late. The stout-hearted performance was praised by the travelling support and coaching staff as Kesteven’s penultimate match ended in defeat. Nottingham Casuals 36, Kesteven 27.

Kesteven return home for the final league game of the season against Nottingham Moderns next Saturday.

Kesteven 1st XV

1. Robert Sheardown
2. Xanti Tito Xipu
3. Gavin Purvis
4. Will Pert
5. Olie Hanson
6. Cameron Bibby
7. Tom Webster
8. Dan Turner

9. Ben Whinney
10. Adam Draper
11. Harry Cox
12. Ben Betts
13. James Goodrich
14. Henry Parker
15. Aaron Whittaker

16. Davey Hodgson
17. Tom Price