On route with just a front row consisting of 3 hookers.

Turned up with hardly anytime to warm up, quick warm up before a few line outs and a few backs moves.
Big well done to Andy Kavanagh who referred the game, top man and as we know takes no rubbish.

We had youth on our side plus a few old heads to keep us in line , Handsworth had just 15 players.

Castle won the coin toss and selected to play up bank, straight from kick off our intentions was to attack. Which we did some good interplay between forwards and backs put us in there half straight away where we controlled most of the match for that first half.

Good work from our pack and quick play in the backs put Handsworth under a lot of pressure. First try came from a great driving line out in the left hand corner. Playing up bank in that first half made us more determined as a Handsworth tried to pin us back in our twenty two but with some great running and sidestepping from our back three Sam Blundall, Pete Skinner and Whiskey got us out of trouble.

Whiskey as usual looks like he has all the time in the world, but with some great forward work at the breakdown we started dominating the rucks and mauls. Sam Gilby and Sean Kav putting it about. 20 minutes in we were making hard work off finishing of the tries but a few quick tries put us further ahead.

Then bring on the changes a few ankle injuries Laka our twinkle toes Fijian went over on his ankle some sniper took him out or he just trip over a buttercup and then Pete turning his ankle out wide. Changes made by Castle only for a minute to pass as Handsworth captain who was also their scrum half got injured, he had taken a bad knock to his knee.

I Leighton volunteered to play for Handsworth was this great sportsmanship or plain stupidity, bit of both to be fair as James Birkett, Sam Blundall, Ollie Hollins and Marcus Bushe lads that I have coached sine 12years old could know get get some big hits and some payback and boy did they do that.

Handsworth needed to play slightly different as they were over committing and castle were finding gaps, so we competed when we needed too at the right time, Castle started giving away silly penalties and no more tries conceded by Handsworth.

Second half Castle had the slope and this made a massive difference but give credit to Handsworth who had to put up with me, we put a lot of pressure on Castle who scored some very good tries in the second half from mistakes made Handsworth as they were just missing that final pass.

Castle looked a lot quicker, stronger and were up for it , With ten minutes to go Handsworth were down 33 nil, even though they had many line outs close to Castle try line in the second half but could not hit the right man at the line out. In this ten minutes Handsworth produced their best spell, I got a second wind the pack were keeping it tight and when we went the 10,12 and 13 made some great breaks supported by the flankers. Castle started creaking and kept on giving away penalties and when in possession lost the ball and was easily turned over.

A great little dart past a few forwards by Handsworth number 9 only to be meet by Q looking to put in a big Fijian hit but this old cookie made sure that his body position was spot on. Q got bounced I was like come on as I turned to pass Josh Hollins hit me with a great tackle followed up with Mad john on top of me laughing.

However the ball was recycled and after some great defence by castle after many big hits the breakthrough came from some good backs play and finally Handsworth scored due to some sloppy tackling by castle.

The try was converted and Handsworth had the final say, a good game had by all final score 33-7.

Big credit to both teams what a solid performance in the end by Castle. Bring on Eccleshall