A Game of Two Halves !

This week's match report is by RIck Howe.
Our Referee from Sussex , Mr Phil Bowers.

This was to be Crowborough’s 24th and final game of a pretty bruising season, having finished 5th in the regular season in London SE Counties Kent 1, with 70 points , some 20 points above 6th placed Dover.
This success had come at a price, with still some 12 players unavailable for selection due to injury. Their demise, however has given welcome opportunities to other squad and academy players, several of whom took to the field for this final.
Crowborough played with the wind in the first half, and after 10 minutes powerfully drove the London SE Regional 1 Central side’s second string, into their own 22, with the defence back peddling. ‘Boro controlled the attack and possession, recycling the ball to the back of the maul, from where Charlie Moore broke free, to charge the final five metres and cross the line 5-0.
In what would later appear to be an act of “Corinthian generosity of spirit”, all ‘Boro kicks at goal seemed to be ignored for the duration of the match.5-0!
With raucous tribal support from just up the A24, matched in part by that of those who had travelled from way up the A26, it made for a carnival atmosphere as the game flowed. Horsham were pushing the bounds of the off-side line, catching the ‘Boro attack, man and ball. But the man in the middle was wary of the tactic and when Horsham transgressed again, the penalty was given. From the lineout Andy Kidd took the ball and drove for the line with the pack in support, and with a final drive, birthday boy Richard Tasker, crossed over for the score.10-0
Horsham however would not lie down, and continued to show their strength and depth of purpose, battering the ‘Boro line whose well honed defence continued to be exceptionally resilient, thwarting any attempt to cross the line, as the half came to an end 10-0. HT
From the restart, Will Pitman took the long kick, and covered 45 metres before being unceremoniously dumped to the ground. Illegally, said the referee but not dangerously so, but still marched them back a further 10 metres for a ‘Boro penalty.
The penalty produced quick ball that Sam Hamilton spun to Bertie Boast who drew the first of the defenders who were all man marked, until Harry Marchesi drifted into the line to make the extra man, freeing up Toby Bailey who cruised the remaining fifteen metres to score in the corner 15-0.
This was the time for Horsham to introduce the first three of their bench, which was an inspired coaching decision, as within moments they had crossed the ‘Boro line for a 7 point score, and all to play for 15-7.
Sam Marchesi came on for Hamilton, as Horsham continued to batter the ‘Boro line. From a short drop out from under their posts, the Lions mounted an attack, and with an uncharacteristic mismatched defence, the overlap in the corner was a formality although the kick was missed. 15-12.
Horsham knew that the next score would be crucial to the outcome of the match, and on a roll once more cruised to within 5 metres of the ‘Boro line, but a penalty was awarded to the East Sussex side. Having had little success kicking for territory against the wind, Toby Bailey spied an opportunity and took a quick tap, and in a flash was being tackled on the opposition 10 metre line, but then had to go off with a leg injury. From the scrum, the powerful ‘Boro pack drove the larger Lions eight backwards and upwards. As the maul formed Will Creasey, who had been a real nuisance all afternoon, broke free but was held up just short, but Dave Bennett was on hand to take the ball and the try.20-12
The Lions were not finished yet, not by a long way. From yet another under the post drop out, in a déjà vu moment, the ball was taken by the #9 and in a flash the line was crossed out wide on the right which was excellently converted with time running out. 20-19
This was the time for ‘Boro to gain control of the ball and play it deep in the opposition half, but that was easier said than done, as it was Horsham that controlled the narrative and worked the ball deep into the ‘Boro half, where agonisingly for those of the Crowborough persuasion ‘Boro conceded a penalty 20 metres out and with the clock in the RED.
The tribal noise, became a whisper, as the kicker struck the ball, which sailed high, but strayed to the left of the posts, and as the Crowborough contingent erupted in relief, the Horsham visitors were understandably stunned into silence. The final whistle blew with the Score line 20 – 19 to Crowborough.
This was the reward for a long and hard season, with around 50 players helping to achieve these Results. With the number of key player injures, the management took the decision a few weeks ago, to withdraw from the RFU Papa Johns Cup and to switch our attack on some silverware, to the Bob Rogers, Sussex Cup. Now looking back this was the right call.