Boro' Back to Winning Way's

Crowborough welcomed third placed Deal to a gale lashed Steel Cross last Saturday, with the visitors looking to close the gap on the two runaway unbeaten sides at the top of the League, whilst the home side was intent on keeping a gap between themselves and the two sides propping up the league at the other end of the table.
Deal are a strong side with a vaunted pack that likes to keep the ball tight, then driving the opposition backwards before attacking around the fringes. Crowborough quickly latched onto this ploy, and rather than slug it out , contested the mauls with the minimum of players, while protecting the flanks then contesting the inevitable breakdown.
Within five minutes Deal transgressed and Matt Tyler at #10, drafted in for the injured Ali Main and Chris Yates, slotted the first of his three penalties . 3-0
The ‘Boro pack ignoring any specific game plan proceeded to take the game to Deal, contesting every 50-50 ball, which Ben Searle used to great affect at every conceivable occasion to either release his backs or exploit the 9-10 channel with sharp sniping runs. Keeping the opposition guessing, ‘Boro attacked as the opportunities presented themselves and defended before the threat could materialise.
Several opportunities to cross the line were halted by last minute interventions and after Ben Searle and Tom Burgess combined down the right touchline to get within two metres of the line, Deal again conceded the penalty which Matt Tyler accepted 6-0.
Crowborough’s style of play visibly altered as their off-loading into the tackle combined with some exquisite support play saw much territory gained, but still the line remained intact. Matt Tyler had to resort once more to the boot to keep the score board ticking over with his third successful penalty from four attempts. 9-0.
Deal continued with their pick and drive policy, but Tom Kent and Andy Walters put in several heavy hits that dislodged the ball and halted the momentum. However Deal were not to be denied and continued to pressure the ‘Boro line, and although the attack was again repulsed it was at the expense of Andy Walters who was to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin, but more crucially Matt Tyler who sprung a shoulder joint and had to leave the field to be replaced by Phil Price, ‘Boro’s fourth #10 in eight days!
With half time approaching ‘Boro’s 14 men drove once again deep into the Deal half with Tom Burgess, Tom Kent and Adam King combining to take the ball to within 15 metres of the Deal line. From the scrum Ben Searle broke right feeding Sean Derrick and with support arriving in abundance offloaded to Rob Horsfall–Turner leaving Damien Hayes free to complete the final few metres to score. With Matt Tyler consigned to the bench, the kick was missed bringing the half time score to 14-0.
Crowborough posted their second half intentions from the kick off when Tom Boddy caught and cleared to the half way line. From the line out Andy Walters broke through a fragile Deal defence but was caught just metres away from the Deal line. From the set piece first Harry Sansbury was released on an arcing run but the ball was lost forward in the tackle. From the scrum Ben Searle again made a break 10 metres out and as he was brought down, Allowing Matt Botterman arrived to scoop up the ball and dive over for the try. The kick was missed. 19-0.
With confidence returning to the side, Tom Boddy took the kick off, and with a quick dummy slipped his defender and with Andy Walters in support set off to the Deal line some sixty metres away. The Deal defence came across and halted the possible score, but illegally so, and Gary Stevens kicked the three points 22-0
With twenty minutes of the match remaining, Sean Derrick was sin binned and with kicking becoming a lottery in the wind Deal opted for the scrum, which they controlled superbly to shove the, until then , solid ‘Boro seven over their line for the score that went unconverted, bringing the game to an end at 22-5.
For the record this match was refereed in an exemplary manner, By Steven Randall, allowing the game to flow, particularly at the breakdown, where all his explanations were clear and concise.
This game showed that this ‘Boro side has the ability and the character, and are beginning to develop that “can do attitude” that will be essential in coming months.
Next Saturday the boys have the longhaul journey down the North Kent Coast to Thanet Wanderers – 14.00pm Kick off.