Local Derby Goes `Greenies` Way

For the first time for several seasons The Greenies and the men from Steel Cross went head to head in the league. It was the visitors who started the stronger and within 2 minutes went ahead after Heathfield & Waldron went offside at the ruck. New arrival Ben Whiteman on debut struck the ball beautifully. 0 - 3. The first scrum set the tone for the rest of the match in this crucial area of the game. The larger, well drilled home pack were dominant and this was to continue throughout. On the 5 minute mark the advantage told when good ball from the base of the scrum was moved quickly and efficiently through the backs hands to the winger who outpaced the 'Borough defence for a try wide out. 5 - 3.
Heathfield & Waldron got into their stride and showed why they were promoted last season. Their interplay and dynamic drives took them towards the visitors try line. This time Crowborough offended and the resulting penalty was slotted between the posts. 8 - 3. For those watching this was turning into a game of ebb and flow with some great open play from both sides. Within a minute of The Greenies extending their lead Crowborough struck back with another Ben Whiteman penalty, 8 – 6.
From the restart the ball was kicked deep into the Crowborough half. Seeing an opportunity the men in red & white decided to run the ball out of defence rather than take the easy option of kicking. The ball found its way to the excellent Andy Walters who made an incisive break. A precise pass released Tom McMahon who sprinted 50 metres for a superb score under the posts. Ben Whiteman then added the conversion. 8 - 13.
Self-destruction kicked in with Andy Orchard killing H&W ball close to the line which was rewarded with a yellow card and 10 minutes off the field. Despite the man disadvantage Crowborough extended their lead. Ben Searle managed the scruffy ball from the scrum well and released his backs. A speculative chip ahead, a fortuitous bounce and quick thinking by the men in red & white put The Greenies on the back foot. Ollie Jude-Trailor was on the end of quick ball from the ensuing ruck to crash over for the try. 8 – 18.
The ebb & flow continued. Thoroughly enjoyable stuff. It wasn't long before the home pressure resulted in another score, this after Connor Hands joined Andy Orchard in the sin bin after another unnecessary offence close to the line. The Greenies exploited the two man advantage with their powerful scrum driving over giving the number 8 the simplest of tries. 13 - 18, This being the half-time score.

The home side started much the stronger dominating possession and territory. Knowing they had a match winning weapon in the scrum they spurned kicks at goal in favour of scrums. On 45 minutes this decision was justified as H&W took the lead after another powerful scrum gave the number 8 his second try. 20 - 18. H&W's dominance led to over confidence. An overly ambitious pass out wide missed its target. Crowborough were first to the loose ball . Andy Orchard redeemed himself for the yellow by latching onto the ball and galloping 40 metres for a try. Ben Whiteman added the extras 20 - 25.
Crowborough gifted ball to the home side as the red & white lineout faltered. This supply of ball put the visitors on the back foot resulting in a closing of the scoreline with another penalty. 23 - 25.
Poor discipline now dogged Crowborough and only great defence kept the home side at bay. Scrum after scrum maintaining the pressure. Eventually the defence cracked with Matt Botterman enjoying 10 minutes on the naughty step after infringing close to the line. The home side won the ball at the scrum and the ball was moved wide for another fine try. 28 - 25.
Victory was finally sealed when Crowborough's ambition got the better of them . A fumbled pass out of defence was pounced on by H&W. The kick through was exploited by the home centre for the try. 33 - 25.
Crowborough's Andy Walters made a great break late on only for his final pass to Ben Whiteman to go forward with the line begging. He was also in support of an Ali Main break which would have seen him clear but the ball went to ground. A try would have given a losing bonus point but it wasn't to be. Final score 33 – 25.
Next weekend Crowborough face another tricky encounter when Deal & Betteshanger visit Steel Cross.
Crowborough: 15) Connor Hands, 14) Sam Kisbee, 13) Ali Main, 12) Tom McMahon, 11) Ben Whiteman, 10) Ben Boast, 9) Ben Searle, 8) Tom Kent, 7) Andy Walters, 6) Callum Main, 5) Andy Orchard, 4) Ed Higgins, 3) Damien Hayes, 2) Ollie Jude Trailor, 1) Bertie Cook,
The Bench 16) Richard Tasker, 17) Charles Bulow, 18) Matthew Botterman.