For most, St George’s day saw the league season come to an end, but for Crowborough, still playing catch up after the deluges of the winter, another week still beckons with the home derby against neighbours and League Champions Tunbridge Wells next Saturday, just seven days before their appearance at Twickenham.
As the game kicked off at Steel Cross, Hove were entertaining Thanet Wanderers on the south coast, with the maths seemingly straightforward. A win or draw would see the Sussex side maintaining a positive point’s difference ensuring a tenth place finish irrespective of the result at Hove. A loss for both would maintain the status quo.
‘Boro started the game in their usual fashion, paying little respect to their 5th placed opponents by taking control of the game in a fashion that belied their lowly position in the league. Within minutes ‘Boro had the opportunity to go ahead from a Chris Yates penalty as the initial pressure forced Beckenham to infringe. Although the kick was pulled wide, ‘Boro maintained possession which quickly brought a second opportunity to make amends.3-0
When ‘Boro did not have the ball their defence was solid, even when the two Beckenham props bulldozed their way into the ‘Boro half with some excellent runs the advantage was nullified. However the visitors gradually piled on the pressure going through the phases where they controlled the ball for a full ten minutes before ‘Boro simply ran out of defenders, allowing the left wing to score a well worked try which went unconverted. 3-5
Play was halted for several minutes as medics were called to a Beckenham player following a crunching tackle by James Crouch, and as play resumed Guy Greenwood put in a well weighted kick to Tom Boddy out on the left wing, who took the ball on the bounce without breaking stride, and with the try line in sight, it was only a last ditch tackle that denied the score. From the ruck the ball was shipped to Andy Walters in the centre who was tip tackled by the Beckenham #9 receiving a yellow card for his recklessness. Chris Yates slotted the penalty 6-5
With 46 minutes played ‘Boro were looking towards the second half, when a break down the right, against the run of play brought the final score of the half, with a try in the corner. The kick was again missed 6-10 Half Time.
Within minutes of the re-start Beckenham ignored a simple three points, putting the penalty into touch five metres out from the ‘Boro line. From the line out the beefy Beck’s pack drove the ‘Boro eight over the line for another unconverted try. 6-15
Tom Kent was tower of strength causing mayhem in the Becks ranks, driving deep into the visitors half with strong carries and a developing off- load game. From one such foray Beckenham again strayed off side at the ruck and Chris Yates brought ‘Boro back within bonus point territory. 9-15
However the gap soon widened again as the Beckenham front row, refusing to tire, again drove deep into the ‘Boro 22 setting up a forward drive that saw the fourth bonus point try scored. The kick was missed. 9-20
Crowborough had a further chance to score through Zeb Kisbee who was held up short of the line and as Damien Hayes was pinged for going in at the side of the ruck the quick penalty saw the ball moved wide to score in the corner for their final unconverted try.9-25
The referee indicated that there was still 4 minutes to play, and from the long restart kick the ‘Boro pack contested the maul and turned the ball over. Guy Greenwood placed a delightful chip between the centres for Andy Walters to secure the try that Chris Yates converted to take the final score to 16-25.
Crowborough have selected over 47 players this season, following an unprecedented injury list, and this young side has grown and developed with each game, unfazed by reputations or league positions.
Thanet came close to raining of ‘Boro’s parade when Hove clinched victory with a 34-29 win scoring in the final minute of their game on the south coast, maintaining the status quo, and leaving Crowborough in tenth place.

Our Referee was Andy Phillips

Match Report by Rick Howe.