Outstanding performance results in 45 – 10 league win for Keyworth IIs

In what looked to be a well-matched game it was Keyworth who took the initiative right from the start. Within 6 minutes the home side took the lead. No. 8 Lee Broadhead picked up at the base after a scrum against the head, drove forward and then the backs took over with Tom Muncey making a half-break and passing out of the tackle to young winger Alex Tsang, who raced over from 15m out.

Within 10 minutes though, Casuals got themselves right back into the game and scored a try of the own. A speculative kick ahead caused confusion in the home side’s defence and after being penalised twice at the breakdown, a quick tap penalty was fed wide expeditiously for the visiting winger to cross.

Keyworth refused to let this unsettle them and they stormed right back midway through the half when the powerful Adam Sheen crashed over almost unopposed from a penalty 7m out from the Casuals line. A third try followed within a few minutes when the tireless Jack Starr drove his way over from close range to extend the lead further.

Young full back Aaron Browning scored the final try of the first half to secure the bonus point, when he rounded off some great inter-passing by the forwards and excellent continuity, with an elusive run of 20m.
The half-time score of 26 – 5 reflected the dominance of the home side who anticipated using the elements in their favour in the second period.

However, it was Casuals that started the stronger and after 10 minutes of not a lot, they were rewarded with a try after good approach work by their youthful backs, which resulted in a penalty 5m from the home line and the visitors burrowed their way over to reduce the deficit.

The response from the seconds was almost immediate. Ashley Waldron, who had an immense game, made a couple of good runs after gathering the kick-off. Mark King then took it on, fed Muncey who put 17 year old Connor Sealy away and he raced away to cross in the corner.

Try number 6 was an absolute beauty. Well won ball from a lineout on the Casuals 22, saw JP Disney make a run from outside half where he fed the irrepressible Mark King on a switch move and the visiting defence parted like the waves of the Red Sea for Kingy to cross under the posts.

With just three minutes left on the clock, Keyworth IIs rounded off a memorable afternoon with a final try which went to hard tackling prop James Maddock who finished off some great driving play from the forwards, to drive over from 3m after being fed by Adam Waldron. The 3m drive was later extended to 50m with all 22 Casuals players being beaten and 14 of them carried over the line, such is the potency of James’ home brew on offer behind the club bar.

Sam Tilaks at scrum half had a good day with his kicking boots and managed to slot 5 out of 7 kicks at goal, as well as an encouraging all round display at the base of the scrum. A bit more variety in approach might keep opposition defenders a little more honest, but to be honest, that’s being pedantic. The game was well refereed by official Rob Linthwaite who controlled all phases of the game expertly.

Man of the Match award goes to Ashley Waldron who had a cracking game in the tight and the loose, working so hard against the team his father plays for, which obviously provided the added incentive for his driving display.

Captain Keith Scott can be rightly proud of this performance against a team who were strong up front, with young speedy runners outside. His team gave their best display of the year so far, dominated the scrum and most of the lineout, despite struggling for consistency in throwing-in and the support play when the ball was moved wide was very impressive. The effective use of the rolling subs played a key part in this and ensured that everyone was able to make a telling contribution.

Talk in the bar after was about how well the team had performed and how the mix between some very old heads and some very young legs is working so well. The spirit in the team is high and the players are looking forward to reversing their only defeat of the season so far when they welcome Ilkeston IV for the return league match at Widmerpool next week.

Those old heads included veteran prop Wayne Jowett, who scrummaged expertly on both sides of the front row and had some strong drives in the loose and the evergreen John Scott, as dependable at the lineout as ever. Jon Cooper played in both forwards and backs, thankfully putting in more tackles than the number of penalties he conceded and recent father Rob Severn enjoyed his run out for the IIs immensely, if his FB comments can be believed. First one seen in 18 months that didn’t mention what food he was eating or the number of days off he was enjoying!

Zander Wiles continues his impressive comeback to fitness after a year out and it’s good to welcome new blood in young Doug Martin. Mark Scott, as always, gave total commitment to the cause, as did the whole team. If they continue in this vein, it’s going to be a very enjoyable season for Keyworth IIs and may well see many of these younger players being blooded in the first team, as happened with Jack Pitchfork this week, making his debut. Congratulations to him, others will undoubtedly follow.