All Mac U16 v Casuals

This week saw the team travel to Beeston Rylands to take on Nottingham Casuals. A few last minutes injury/illness replacements were needed to bolster the team and it was great to see Lucy Pedge back on the pitch after injury. Casuals availability meant that the game would be played with uncontested scrums and All Macs provided them with a player to even up the numbers- well done to Lottie Castles for volunteering for the first half.

Casuals started strongly and capitalised on early mistakes by All Macs to race to a two try lead inside 15 minutes. They continued the scoring in-spite of better organisation by the All Macs defence and were looking at heading into the halftime interval 22-0 up.

But with 5 minutes left in the first half the visitors finally sprung into life as a stollen ball gave them back possession just inside their own half. Runs from Ellie Lottie B and Aoibhe gave good momentum and field position to the All Macs as powerful running from Evie P set up a really well taken try by prop/centre/flanker Lucy. The conversion from Lou Lou narrowly missing and shortly afterwards the whistle blew for half time.

The All Macs had a lot to reflect on at the interval but took heart from how they finished the first half. Sophie replaced Lottie Castle’s on the Casuals side - a big thanks to both girls for helping get the game on.

An early penalty from the lineout provided the platform for Ellie to slice through the defensive line and drive into the opposing 22 before offloading to utility player Lucy who took the ball under the post for the second try. Lou Lou knocking the ball over the the extra points. 22-12

More quality link play and powerful running from the All Macs set up great position inside the home team 5m line for Ellie to pick and go to score by the right post. Lou Lou once again successful with the kick.
22-19

Casuals were slightly shell shocked but fought back well and the next 15 minutes were very evenly matched and highly competitive. But a penalty inside the All Macs 22 led to a try for the home team which was well set up and taken but the conversion was unsuccessful.

As the drizzle came down the handling errors became more regular and uncontested scrum after uncontested scrum gave the girls a little respite from the frantic play. All Mac’s were finishing strong and so it was no surprise that after a period of possession inside the home team half they scored through the dancing feet of Eve that was well deserved and, with another successful conversion, pulled them to within one point of Casuals.

Sadly the great comeback wasn’t to be as the ref blew for full time as the kick sailed through the uprights. Despite a lack lustre first half the All Macs proved their quality, teamwork and heart in pulling to within 1 point following a 22 point deficit in the first half. The new players Gabby, Sophie and Aoibhe saw plenty of game time and really grew in confidence throughout.

Well done to all players, officials and coaches for a fantastic game.

Notts Casuals 27-26 All Macs