Last Saturday the first half of Crowborough’s disappointing season came to it’s predictable end with a 0-17 loss to local rivals Heathfield.
With heavy impenetrable fog blanketing the pitch, seemingly to shield the faithful from what was to come next, Heathfield kicked off. Whether the ball was lost in the mist or a call went astray is unclear, but the ball took three bounces before it was fielded by Heathfield whose pack then trundled to within five metres of the’Boro line before Oli Robertshaw crossed over to open the score with less than a minute on the clock. Reilly converted to take the score to an all too familiar 0-7.
Crowborough have been in this familiar position many times this season, giving the opposition unnecessary early confidence before knuckling down to the task in hand. ‘Boro’s unpredictable defence seemed to have been bolstered, as attack after attack were well defended, but Heathfield continued to probe for a way through, and having found it, started to exploit the exposed mid-field gap, upsetting the promising ‘Boro defensive balance.
Ben Searle continued to give his tackling master class, helping to dislodge the ball and turn defence into attack. Several times ‘Boro emerged from the gloom with just a couple of men to beat, but presumably poor support and passing saw these rare but promising attacks fade away.
With ‘Boro anxious to close down the score it was inevitable that they would over extend themselves, and as Heathfield probed, the gaps opened up for a deja vue try, this time scored by David Bayly converted by Reilly. 0-14
At half time it was debatable whether both sets of posts could be seen from half way line, but as the official blew to get the second half underway, any thoughts of abandoning the match disappeared as quickly as the fog, heralding in wall to wall sunshine. However this clarity was not to last as the game once again disappeared into the murk with spectators only able to guess at what was happening on the other side of the pitch. Clearly the official was closer to the action and awarded a penalty to Heathfield which Reilly again slotted.0-17
This result, although it cements Crowborough even more securely in the basement of the league will not deter this young team learning and developing, and with a smattering of self-belief; a dose of confidence; the return of the injury prone; and a couple of strong targeted performances early in the second half of the season, the side can hopefully regroup under their newly appointed head coach, Dan Moore.

The Referee today was Michael Maple.

Man of the Match - Richard Tasker