Crowborough in twelfth place, welcomed fellow strugglers Bromley in eleventh position, and with both sides winless in this current campaign they found themselves competing for what effectively was a six pointer, although it would be doubtful if a positive result could rejuvenate either side, or alter their lowly league positions.
Inevitably both sides started the match in a nervous vein, not wishing to hand the initiative to their opponents. Consequently play centred mid field for the first ten minutes before Bromley engineered a penalty that was neatly struck to get the scoreboard moving.0-3
‘Boro’s previously porous defence showed signs of having been beefed up in the past week, and having got their noses in front Bromley attacked down the left only to be halted in the corner, and in spite of several pick and drives right across the park ‘Boro held out and when the ball was spilled cleared upfield.
On the stroke of 25 minutes, ‘Boro attacked down the left wing and looked all set to score but were forced to recycle to the right. From a lineout, the impressive Ben Searle looked up to find that the defensive left wing was too far forward. Taking the ball around the short side he chipped the wing , darted through the gap collecting the ball on the bounce before scampering the 20 metres to the line to register a fine score that went unconverted. 5-3
‘Boro, were starting to put together several competent phases of play, showing that they were determined not to go down without a fight, and following another attack, they were hauled back to reality when with ten minutes of the half to go, a strong Bromley driving maul crashed over on the left for an unconverted try. 5-8
Up until this point the defensive discipline had ensured a flat quick press against the visitors sporadic attacks, but with too many forwards committed to an unwinable breakdown, quick Bromley ball saw ‘Boro facing a two man overlap and although the cover belatedly arrived the execution of the tackles was too poor to prevent another score out wide that was well converted with two minutes of the half remaining.5-15
Crowborough kept within touching distance, with a Connor Hand penalty on the stroke of half time 8-15 and all still to play for.
The next score would be crucial and unfortunately, ten minutes in, and against the run of play it went the visitors way, when an attack off the back of a five metre scrum saw the ball touched against the post for a try that was easily converted, leaving ‘Boro chasing the game once more. 8-22
As in many games this season, Crowborough refused to give up and with Matt Botterman bringing experience, guile and leadership to the young pack ‘Boro once more attacked deep into the Bromley 22, and with Tom Kent rising to the challenge, the pack drove the larger Bromley outfit towards and over their line, with Kent emerging from the bottom of the pile with the ball. Connor Hand converted from wide out putting Crowborough within seven points and two scores to take the victory, or at worst a losing bonus point and 15 minutes remaining.15-22
Bromley were determined to hold onto their lead almost at any cost with their big 2nd row paying the penalty alongside Harry Slatter destined for 10 minutes in the bin. As the clock ran down ‘Boro just could not engineer another score and to add insult to injury as the clock ran out Bromley kicked the last of their penalties to record their first win of the season and to deny Crowborough that important losing bonus point with the two sides now separated by 10 points.
There is no match next week 3rd Dec, with the next outing at 4th placed Charlton Park on 10th Dec, and the final league game before the Christmas break, being the local Derby at Steel Cross 17th Dec against Heathfield and Waldron, preceded by the Christmas lunch.

Tom Kent picked up the Man of the Match award for Crowborough, with his power and his line breaking runs, as well as his `never say die` attitude all afternoon.

Our Referee today was Simon Bingham from Kent.