The previous week Crowborough lost by a considerable margin, but in doing so showed much promise with an outstanding forward performance, but with eight games left and 12 points from safety have they left it too late?
Those that were fortunate enough not to have to travelled to Twickenham for that dour international against France were in for a surprising treat at Steel Cross.
The ‘Boro coaching staff led by Dan Moore, have been unable to field their preferred side all season due to long term injury and availability, but were presented with welcome news this week with the return of Andy Walters and Matt Botterman further strengthening the pack, and Ben Searle, Mitch Malherbe, and Chris Yates bolstering the back division.
In their previous away fixture with Hove, earlier in the season, Crowborough lost by 41-7 as their fragile defence splintered under unrelenting pressure, as their excellent backs ran amok, and ‘Boro were anxious not to repeat that result.
This twice postponed fixture could have been in doubt once more as storm “Doris” dumped copious amounts of rain onto the Crowborough pitch, but such has been the efforts of the ‘Boro ground staff this season, that the 30 players were presented with a perfect, no excuse, surface.
‘Boro started this match as they finished the previous week, and with confidence running high, the pack ran at the larger Hove eight, recycling the ball, that provided Ben Searle with quick clean possession. After twelve minutes, Ben Searle fed Connor Hand, who slung out a well-directed cut out pass to Sam Perry on the 10 metre line, and with Andy Orchard providing support, threw the dummy before stepping of his left, wrong footing the defensive cover which allowing a clear run into the line for the first score. Connor Hand converted. 7-0
Hove pulled three points back with a penalty for not releasing the man, before ‘Boro patiently built up an attack down the left side of the field. With the pack controlling the ball, Andy Walters saw the potential opportunity as cover was withdrawn. Lurking on the wing, he resisted the temptation to join in the melee, and when Matt Botterman broke free he was on hand to take the off-load and sprint in for the second try. The kick went unconverted. 12-3
As half time approached, and with the faithful only daring to hope, Crowborough went further ahead with a second try for Sam Perry, following more excellent work by the well drilled pack that patiently sucked in the defending back row. Ben Searle released the ball to Connor Hand, who once more cut out Liam Derrick who was providing the decoy, and as Sam Perry latched onto the pass he dummy switched with Mitch Malherbe to go over in the corner for his second try that brought the half to an end at 17-3.
Clearly stunned the Hove coach had severe words with his side, and replacing the scrum half appeared to be an inspired decision as the replacement ensured that any ball was quickly provided to their Spanish #10 whose vision and execution was electric. Within minutes of the restart Hove recorded their first try deep in the right corner when a rare missed tackle created the overlap. The kick was successful, narrowing the deficit to 7 points.17-10
Until this moment the ‘Boro defence had seen quite a turn-around from previous weeks with tackles made to count, and when Chris Yates was brought on with 35 minutes to go, he was immediately in the thick of things making up for his 10 missed weeks.
For a brief five minute spell Crowborough appeared to have lost their discipline and patience, which had served them so well up until that point, and in doing so they gave away several silly penalties, none of which Hove were able to take advantage of.
With Tom Kent replacing Harry Slatter, his fresh legs saw him take the ball off a lineout and drove deep into the Hove 22, and as he was brought down he found Matt Botterman in support. With the pack arriving en masse, they drove the maul towards the line but the ball was held up on the line, denying Matt Botterman the score. However, from the scrum Matt Botterman emerged with the ball, and with an elastic stretch, grounded the ball under the posts for the fourth bonus point try converted by Chris Yates. 24-10
One more try would break any of Hove’s residual resistance, and it came in style following a Ben Searle snipping break down the left wing from the Hove 10 metre line, he fed Charlie Bulow, and then continued to provide interference cover from the desperately retreating defenders, allowing Charlie Bulow to go over for the score that Chris Yates converted from the touch line.31-10
Charlie Bulow was again instrumental in the next score, having made an interception on halfway he was clobbered from behind just short of the line, and had to leave the field with a torn hamstring that is likely to keep him out for several weeks. However, this positional advantage saw Harry Slatter return, and from the scrum Harry Slatter broke out to crash over for the sixth try of the afternoon, converted by Chris Yates. 38-10
With all resistance now gone and with the clock running down, Chris Yates marked his return with an interception near the half way line, when he ran in to score unchallenged down the left wing. The conversion falling short of the posts. Leaving the final score Crowborough 43 - Hove 10.
This was without doubt Crowborough’s Best performance of the season by far, and anyone involved yesterday should be proud of the result, not forgetting the effort that has gone on the training ground and the players who unfortunately missed out yesterday, for whatever reason. This will give the squad, renewed confidence which they will take into the next fixture away against Horsham on Saturday 11th February.