Revenge is sweet !!!

Crowborough welcomed a strong Horsham RFC side to Steel Cross last Saturday. Horsham in fifth position at the start of the day have had some excellent results in recent weeks and ‘Boro were in determined mood not to replicate the dire result earlier in the season.
From the opening salvos Horsham took the game to Crowborough, and for the first quarter hardly allowed the home side to escape their own half. However the pride that the side discovered in their loss the previous week to Hove came to the fore, as the ‘Boro tackle count sored. Although Horsham off-loaded well, they were not allowed to gain any momentum as the ‘Boro defence pressed up quickly putting in solid hit after solid hit.
Horsham had the first opportunity to go ahead from a penalty some 35 metres out but the ball was pulled wide. However as Sean Derrick left the field with a dislodged molar, to be replaced by Tom Angus in the back row, Horsham again attacked engineering a fine overlap, and with unusual availability of space put their winger over in the corner. The kick was missed. 0-5.
Chris Yates had the opportunity to pull three points back from distance, and although the kick had the height and length the direction saw the ball fly to the left of the posts. However the ‘Boro pack kept the pressure on the Horsham eight, and as Nick Hill secured loose possession he gave the ball to Ben Searle whose pass gave Guy Greenwood the time to look up and see that the Horsham left wing was out of position, and placed a delightful chip over the advancing Horsham line for Phil Price to get a boot to the ball to help it on it’s way before touching down as it crossed the line. Chris Yates secured the extra two points to take the lead at 7-5 HT. This unfortunately came at a price as Matt Botterman had to leave the field with suspected concussion.
With confidence returning, ‘Boro started the second half in determined mood continuing with the strong defensive work and building upon regular turned over possession to attack deep into Horsham territory. Phil Price dribbled fully thirty metres before being stopped short of the line, and although Horsham cleared away to touch, the resultant lineout saw Horsham infringe giving Chris Yates the opportunity to take the score to 10-5 from almost 40 metres out.
The Crowborough curse then struck again as Andy Orchard, who had been having one of his better outings in a ‘Boro shirt, also succumbed to injury, and was soon to be followed by Phil Price with knee ligament damage. This gave the opportunity to both Zeb Kisbee and Archie Mayo for the second week running to take to the field from the bench with a returning Sean Derrick.
These were not the only comings and goings during a long afternoon as Horsham had already seen three yellow cards during the match to ‘Boro’s one. With the ‘Boro side re-organising, Horsham took the rare opportunity to exploit the changes and again created an overlap to score out wide for an unconverted try taking the score to 10-10. This was against the run of play and ‘Boro were soon back in the Horsham 22, where pressure caused Horsham again to give away a penalty that Chris Yates was only too pleased to convert, taking the final score to 13-10.
This was a true team effort, and a well deserved victory for a determined and proud side, that leapfrogs them above Thanet Wanderers in what is turning out to be an interesting end to the season.
Next week, Boro’ take the opportunity to catch up on their fixture congestion with another Home fixture with Old Colfeians from South London, Kick-off will be at the earlier time of 14.00pm due to the England V’s Wales that starts at 16.00pm.

Match Report by Rick Howe.