Wellingborough 46 - 0 Casuals

Wellingborough returned to league action with a convincing win over Casuals in the wind and rain at Cut Throat Lane.  They had the dubious luxury of starting with the wind at their backs and were soon on the scoreboard with a Peter Vickers penalty.  After 15 minutes of territorial domination Steven Gall broke through the visitors defence and fed Chris Mears coming in on a good line and he went over for the try.  Peter Vickers converted.

Chris Mears was again in on the action a few minutes later when he was outside Craig Hughes who'd made a half break and delivered a neat off load enabling Chris to sprint 30 metres through the cover and feed Steven Gall for another try under the posts.  Peter Vickers again converted. Peter also stepped up to convert a penalty to take the half time score to 20-0.

Casuals felt they could come back with the advantage of the wind in the second half but Wellingborough countered with some good forward play.  Keir Davidson was causing concern in the Casuals defence with his bullocking runs and it was as a result of ground gained through one of these that Steven Gall took the opportunity to make another break and send Joe Marston away on his wing.  The winger checked inside to score and Peter Vickers converted.  Five minutes later Steven Gall set off on a run of his own to take the play to within 15 metres of the Casuals line.  A great scrummage from the home pack resulted in winning the ball against the head and Joe Marston was released to round his man to score in the corner.  Peter Vickers converted with a kick against the wind that looked impossible.

Casuals were not giving up and frequently pegged the home side back in their own half.  However they couldn't prevent Wellingborough working their way back upfield with some concentrated mauling and rucking.  From one such maul the home side drove over the line and John Cartwright was in the thick of it to claim the try.  Peter Vickers again converted.

In the final five minutes there were several turnovers by both sides but Wellingborough came up with the telling one out on the touchline in the Casuals 22.  They switched play back across the field and Steven Gall finished off a great passage of play with another try.  This time the wind defeated Peter Vickers' conversion attempt but not by much.

With the final score at 46-0 Wellingborough had consolidated their position at the top of the league.

Croyland Car Megastore Man of the Match: Keir Davidson