Kesteven 2XV 28 - Nottingham Casuals 0
With Skipper Simon Oakes away on 1st team duty Nick hardy-Gillings led the side in this rearranged match with Notts Casuals.
Playing with the benefit of the slope in the first half Kesteven got off to a great start. Casuals were peanlised at the first ruck and Matt harland stepped up to kick the goal from 40 metres for a 3 - 0 lead after a minute. Kesteven were on top for most of the half. Lidstone and Cooper had some good runs and Lamb kicked well while the forwards produced some good driving play. Paul Jabba Shields got over the line but wasn't able to ground the ball. All that the home side had to show for their effort was a further 2 penalties by Harland for a half time lead of 9 - 0.
Casuals started the second half in good style keeping Kesteven pinned back in their own 22 for a good 20 minutes. Will Price replaced Tony Burton, coming onto the wing with Lidstone dropping to full back and Cooper moving in to centre. The young wing struck a telling blow shortly after by intercepting a pass on his own 22 and sprinting 80 metres for a try. Harland converted and the game had cahnged. Kesteven took heart from this as Casuals heads dropped, and the home side took control of the game. A line out close to Casuals line was won by Sayle and as the forwards swarmed round they pushed the Casulas pack over the line. Tweddle emerged fromthe heap with the ball for the try. Harland converted again. The Kesteven backs were now coming into their own and Lidstone was next on the score sheet finishing of a mazy run with a try. This time Harland's conversion hit the post and stayed out. Th efinal score of 28 - 0 was unkind to Casuals who put a lot of effort into the game without reward. They gave their all for 60 minutes but Price's try knocked the stuffing out of them.
For Kesteven Sayle again dominated the line out Paersey had some powerful runs and young Bill Davies put in some good work. In th ebacks Hughes gave a spirited performance while Lamb used his experience well. Cooper and Lidstone were always dangerous while Will Price took his try well.
Team was R Cooper; F Lidstone, T Burton, M Harland A Price; J Lamb, J Hughes; D Tweddle, B Davies, P Hughes, M Clarke, N Hardy-Gillings, J Smith, M Sayle, A Pearsey Subs W Price C Foster .
