Crowborough travelled the six miles to neighbours Tunbridge Wells for this local derby encounter, still looking for their first elusive win of the 2015/16 campaign.
On paper there was a huge gulf between the sides, with the Wells sitting comfortably in second spot on 19 points, while ‘Boro languished in the basement in eleventh position on just 3, and the predictions by some of a five try margin, judging by results to date, would have been hard to refute.
Local derbies are rarely classics of expansive fast entertaining support rugby, and this was not one to dispel that theory. But for the aficionados of the uncompromising tackle and bruising forward encounters, not to mention the odd altercation, then this was the match for them.
The home side got into their stride from the kick off, with an almighty hit on #8 Tom Kent that set the tone of the afternoon, and although Wells used their momentum to drive the ‘Boro side back towards their own goal line, the defence held firm with Andy Walters providing last ditch cover. Indeed it was to be at the end of the first quarter before the deadlock was broken, with a penalty by Hayden Pope. 3-0
As the half wore on, several more penalties were awarded to Wells for growing ‘Boro indiscipline, and had Pope got his kicking boots on Wells could have sewn this match up before half time.
Eschewing the posts at the third time of asking, Wells put the ball into the corner, but from the line out ‘Boro cleared up field to Matthew Spicer on the left wing, who cutting infield drew the ‘Boro cover, before switching with Sam Newton and flat footing the chasing Tom Burgess. With the wing channel beckoning, he sprinted the 50 metres unchallenged to score in the corner. The kick went unconverted as the scoreboard continues to tick over. 8-0.
Before half time penalties were traded by Pope and Ali Main to bring the half to an end with ‘Boro confounding the pundits and still in touch at 11-3.
With a slight breeze in their favour, the ‘Boro pack, having not taken a backward step in the first 40 minutes, began to dominate their bigger opponents who were starting to blow. When the patience of the referee in charge was finally exhausted, Wells captain Sean O’Connor was shown a yellow card. The Crowborough eight needed no second invitation, and piled on the pressure driving the re-arranged Wells pack, backwards in both the tight and loose, almost at will, silencing the, until then, vocal home support whilst galvanising the travelling faithful.
From a scrum on the half way ‘Boro secured possession and with the line strung out right in preparation for a rare attack, scrum half Ben Searle broke right, then rather than sling out a conventional long pass, with the vision of youth, cross kicked left and deep, for flanker Sean Derrick, to latch onto the bouncing ball, before crossing the line to score under the posts for Ali Main to convert.11-10
With 15 minutes of the game remaining and with the home support strangely mute, ‘Boro could sense an upset. Already in losing bonus point territory Crowborough set about the impossible,--- securing the win. With the ‘Boro backs struggling to penetrate defences all season long with ineffectual running lines, ‘Boro put together a move straight off the training park. While the back row, Liam Derrick and Ali Main created the decoys, Harry Sansbury glided into the centre channel at speed, slicing through the Wells defence, and with outside support from Phil Price and Tom Burgess the score was surely a formality. Unfortunately the official in charge saw it differently, and to audible sighs of incredulous relief from the home support and howls of disbelief from the travelling faithful, the pass to Phil Price was judged forward.
Still both sets of defence continued to defy attacks, and as the clock ran down Wells put a penalty deep into the ‘Boro 22, which from the line out Wells attempted to out drive the ‘Boro outfit, but the ‘Boro eight had the measure of their opponents and held the ball up, and although several forward pick and drives should have seen the score, it was left to #9 Charles Spence who decided to take matters into his own hands and move the ball away from the breakdown to Oliver Allman, who put a sublime cross field kick over the ‘Boro defence for Tom George to latch onto and score in the corner. The kick was unconverted.16-10
With just moments of the match remaining, ‘Boro then proceeded to give their supporters palpitations as they attempted to move the ball from their own goal line, but when it broke down Wells gratefully booted the ball into touch to bring the game to an end.
Crowborough, although naturally disappointed at the result and their continued position in the league will take heart from this performance, and the confidence that they will have gained will hold them in great stead for that first elusive win.
Crowborough’s next fixture is on the 7th Nov at Steel Cross where they will play host to Ashford KO 2:30pm