Casuals made the short trip across the A45 to Old Northamptonians. However with late dropouts from our team we would like to thank loanee Neill Friedman from Northampton Old Scouts and also Old Northamptonians for lending the team a front row prop so that the match could start with contested scrums. Old Northamptonians team were also boosted by some players from Dubai Exiles in their squad.

The game started well with both teams fighting for possession of the ball, but it was Old Northamptonians who made the first break that was only halted by Max Johnstone putting in a try saving tackle. Casuals picked up the ball but unfortunately were turned over with Old Northamptonians taking the opportunity for their first converted try of the afternoon. Old Northamptonians gathered from the kick off and started to move forward into the Casuals half. A huge hit from Hayden Coates forced a knock on giving Casuals control of the scrum. Casuals forward pack worked well together with Reuben Fiddes, making his debut at 9 for the team, setting up attacking plays. The Casuals pack continued to work well together allowing Chris Berridge to kick the ball through for Daniel Falkenthal-Smith to collect and make a great run to the line scoring Casuals first and only try of the day, unfortunately the conversion was missed.

Old Northamptonians kept the score board ticking over despite Casuals stoic defence with three more converted tries.

HT 28 – 5

Despite the whole of the 2nd team pulling together and defending well for large periods of the second half, they were unable to launch another successful attack on the opposition line and Daniels try was to be their only score. However, that said, without the defensive effort put in by the boys, particularly those playing for the first time in new positions – Ryan Jordan throwing into the line out, Kyle Paredes-Facer at centre and Matty Stephenson returning to the squad for the first time in several years, the team put in a huge effort and managed to smother a lot of attacks from Old Northamptonians.

FT 45 - 5