Crowborough’s season continued last Saturday, with their first game in the Bob Rogers Cup Competition against Lewes RFC.
Boro’s continuing injury crisis, after last week’s mauling by Maidstone in their final League game, saw several more Colts in the starting line-up against an opponent who by all accounts should have been reeling after a second consecutive disastrous season which found them relegated to Sussex Division 1 with a record of won 4 lost 18.
From the opening whistle it was clear that in recent weeks some magical transformation had taken place down by the River Ouse, as Lewes competed boisterously for every bit of available possession, putting in crunching tackles and driving over in the rucks, determined to get something positive from their season.
Crowborough continued their game plan that has served them well during the season with the new additions slotting in well to the system. It was Boro who had the first chance to put points on the board for an off-side decision, but in blustery conditions Ali Main’s first attempt went wide of the upright.
Whenever Boro had the opportunity they ran the ball and from a breakdown ten metres out from the Lewes line Ben Martyn drove over to get the score moving with Ali Main slotting the extra points. At this point having just scored, the travelling faithful would not have been surprised to see Crowborough concede points, and in this respect they would have not been disappointed as Lewes came straight back with their impressive backs, aided by some woeful tackling to score out wide, with the conversion falling short. 5-7
This gave Lewes encouragement and within moments they were again attacking the line but this time excellent Boro defending managed to hold the ball up over the line, and from the scrum the official penalised Lewes to relieve the pressure. Crowborough resumed their game plan and with Lewes appearing to lose discipline ‘Boro had a penalty opportunity to widen the gap, but the margin at half time remained at 2 points when the kick slid past the post.
On 45 minutes Lewes went ahead when Harry Sansbury cleared up a wayward pass, but in evading the Lewes attackers ran away from his support, and from the ensuing maul Lewes gained possession moving the ball to the right and away from the Boro cover to score in the corner for a converted try.12-7
This move saw Seb Goodhew leaving the field with a precautionary head injury replaced by Charlie Butler. From the resumption Crowborough gained possession and took the ball deep into the Lewes half. From a line out Harry Slatter, who had been imperious at the set piece, again soared high catching the ball and setting up the maul which crabbed across the park before the ruck was formed. With the Lewes defence lined up on left with the right seemingly open, the ball was shipped left into the conflict zone, where several pairs of quick hands shovelled the ball to Harry Sansbury coming in at speed on the wing to cross the line to score in the corner. The kick was just short. 12-12
Crowborough put more space between the teams when Harry Sansbury’s attack down the right was halted in the Lewes 22. From the ruck Lewes put in a long relieving kick up field only to find the astute Sean Derrick covering the full back slot. Taking the ball at pace he cut through the Lewes defence, which having played together all season seemed strangely to lack any real cohesive shape, before he unselfishly passed to the unmarked Tom Boddy to score the try in the corner with Ali Main converting 12-19.
With ten minutes of the match remaining Crowborough maintained the momentum with a well-constructed forwards try that saw Slatter take the ball from a line out and set up the maul, and although Lewes tried to pull the maul down the ball crossed the line with Gus O’Grady claiming the score that took the points tally to 12-24.
With minutes of the match left and with Lewes needing two converted tries to win, several questionable decisions saw Lewes march up the field, and Phil Cooper seeing out the rest of the match from the bin. With one down in the pack Lewes took full advantage and started the improbable comeback with a try out wide that went unconverted taking the score to a tantalising 17-24.
When Charlie Butler was binned for a deliberate knock on, that went backwards, Boro were down to 13 men. The depleted pack were forced to defend their line in the face of determined Lewes pressure, and although they resisted several attacks they eventually ran out of cover and conceded the try taking the score to 22-24. The pressure kick was well struck 24-24 as the final whistle went, taking the game into extra time.
The two periods of 10 minutes saw much of the same thing with Lewes needing to score or lose the tie on the home advantage rule.
As it was there were no more scores and the game finished with Boro taking the honours.
It would appear to defy all logic that a side with such talented players as shown by Lewes last Saturday should have won only four matches all season, and although they showed some lack of familiarity and cohesiveness in the backs, and lacked some unity in the pack, on this showing and with these players, it will not be long before they return to the London Division.

The Team, 1), Richard Tasker. 2), Ben Martyn. 3), Phil Cooper. 4), Harry Slatter. 5), Nik Pass. 6), Gus O’Grady. 7) Sean Derrick, (Captain). 8), Tom Kent. 9), Ben Delaney. 10), Ali Main. 11), Tom Boddy. 12), Seb Goodhew. 13), Adam King. 14), Harrison Stevens. 15), Harry Sansbury.
The Team – 16), Mark Rosier, (FRR). 17) James Kirkland. 18), Charlie Butler. 19), Andy Orchard. 20), Michael Waghorn 21), Chris Yates (Injured in warm-up and didn’t take part).

Our Referee was Mr Andy Phillps.
Match Report by Rick Howe.