Crowborough welcomed Hove RFC to Steel Cross last Saturday anxious to get their season off to a winning start, following two last minute losses in their previous outings.
Hove, having got off to a winning start last week against Thanet Wanderers were looking to add the ‘Boro scalp, as part of their strategy to return to London League 1 South at the first attempt.
Crowborough have not been able to put out their first choice selection so far this season with injuries, unavailability and the RWC, frustrating the coaching team, but this has given the opportunity to several returning players and juniors who have acquitted themselves admirably to date.
From the kick off, Crowborough dominated possession and camped deep in the Hove half, but the Hove defence was rock solid. Several attacks, notably from the returning Tom Burgess, who was having his first start in almost two years following a broken leg, showed much promise but after ten minutes Crowborough still had nothing to show for their efforts.
From a break down, Hove cleared up field, and from the lineout the Hove back division showed the advantage of playing together over the past two years or so, when they attacked a narrow and fatally static ‘Boro defensive line, and with a somewhat superfluous decoy run manufactured a two man overlap for the #17, Martin McDonald to score in the corner which was superbly converted by the #15, Sam Whiting. 0-7
From the restart, ‘Boro disrupted the take, but the #1, Miles Dibsdall, showing all the guile developed in a higher league, was pinged by the official and although the penalty attempt by Chris Yates was pulled wide, he made amends immediately afterwards when the ‘Boro pack, who were clearly imposing themselves on their opponents forced the Hove front three to break up. 3-7
As is too often the case, ‘Boro relaxed having narrowed the gap, only to immediately cede another try which followed a dubious penalty for tackling in the air, then abetted by more poor defensive alignment. The simple try was again well converted stretching the gap to 11 points 3-14.
Almost two years to the day since his last effort, Chris Yates then reduced the deficit when he dropped into the pocket from a maul on the Hove 22, and young Dan Moore sent out an inch perfect pass allowing Yates just enough time to drop a well struck goal. 6-14.
Within moments Hove should have gone further ahead when they butchered a two man overlap with an unforced forward pass five metres out from the line. From the ensuing scrum ‘Boro conceded a penalty that the #15 Sam Whiting, gratefully accepted. 6-17.
Crowborough were clearly the fitter of the two sides and their pack, bolstered by the inclusion of Andy Walters, had the measure of their opponents, which should have dictated a 10 man tactical approach to negate the Hove back division. Taking the game deep into the Hove 22, the ‘Boro pack drove for the line with first Tom Kent, then Andy Walters, being held up just short of the line. From the resulting lineout Nick Hill tapped the ball down to Sean Derrick on the peel, who targeted the 9/10 channel to score under the posts with Chris Yates adding the two extra points. 13-17
Frustratingly, having got within 4 points ‘Boro then kicked from defence straight to Hove’s influential #15 Sam Whiting, who released his backs to score unopposed in the corner. The kick was missed. 13-22.
With 12 minutes to go Crowborough could still aim for a losing bonus point whilst Hove were looking to score their fourth bonus point try.
It was Hove that got onto the board first with another well taken backs try that again went unconverted. 13-27.
Two converted tries in less than ten minutes was always going to be a big ask. As the ‘Boro pack drove once more into the Hove 22, several pick and drives ate up the metres to the line, but just as it appeared that one more may pay dividends, Dan Moore slung out a long pass to Chris Yates. Looking up he saw that the Hove centre pairing were practically standing in the ‘Boro line, and hoisted a long lob pass over the interlopers to Michael Waghorn who drew the cover and fed Harry Sansbury on his outside who crossed in the corner and touched down. Chris Yates then converted from the touchline to take ‘Boro into bonus point territory. 20-17
With three minutes remaining and ‘Boro rampant, could the Crowborough faithful dare to dream that this could be their Japan moment?
Aware that Hove had bounced back after each ‘Boro score, Crowborough kept the ball tight and with the line approaching the Hove second row was carded for not releasing the tackled man. The penalty attempt at goal would not have achieved anything, and Captain, Sean Derrick called for a scrum. ‘Boro put on the drive and with Hove back peddling and a push over try on the cards, with young Tom Kent picking up from the base of the scrum and dived over the line to score. With a draw dependent upon the wide out conversion Chris Yates calmly slotted the kick to complete a remarkable and characterful recovery.
Crowborough visit Old Alleynians in Dulwich South London, next week, who like Hove were also relegated last season from London League 1 South and are likely to offer equally stern resistance.

Match Report by Rick Howe.