Crowborough welcomed league leaders Thanet Wanderers to Steel Cross last Saturday, with the home side desperate to string together some positive results after several narrow losses.
However ‘Boro started the match in a similar mode to those of recent weeks, and with their customary generosity gifted two penalties in as many minutes, which appeared to mark their card for the remainder of the match, although only one attempt was converted.0-3
This provided the visitors with early momentum , and from a lineout they gave the normally secure ‘Boro eight, a scare by driving them over the line for a converted try.0-10
This was the time for ‘Boro to get their act together, but two missed tackles allowed the left wing to chip the defence and score in the corner for their second, but unconverted try.0-15
Much to the dismay of the “faithful” Thanet were not finished yet, and with Will Creasey taking a yellow card for the team, added a third unconverted try and with still five minutes of the half remaining. 0-20
Crowborough then made one of their rare visits to the Thanet 22, and were awarded a penalty ten metres out. ‘Boro elected for the scrum but with Will Creasey off the field, centre Andy Walters was co-opted into the back row, and as the shove came on Thanet went backwards, and as the line was crossed it was it was Alex Purnell who came out of the melee with the ball. 5-20 HT
It was imperative that ‘Boro capitalised on their score of the previous half if they were to get back on terms, but Thanet had other ideas, and attacked down the ‘Boro right. Young Teo Reed gave another of his tackling “master classes” thwarting several scoring opportunities. However even this was not going to be enough as the Thanet outside centre cut an exquisite line targeting the inside shoulder of the ‘Boro defence, and strolled over for the converted score.5-27
As in previous weeks this seemed to be the catalyst for ‘Boro to get their act together, and two Sam Kisbee tries gave the faithful a glimmer of hope. The first was from a well-judged interception and with the after burners full on streaked away to score under the posts for the try that Chris Yates converted.12-27
The two of them were soon to feature in the next score when Chris Yates feinted to go right but seeing a mis-match on the short side flung out the pass to Andy Walters who fed a fast arriving Sam Kisbee. Evading the cover he dived over to score in the left corner. The kick rattled the left post but left the score at a tantalising 17-27.
However any hope of closing the gap further was dashed as Thanet first slotted a penalty, and then, with the ball still in play, and by most estimates four minutes still on the clock, the official blew for full time. 17-30 FT
This weekend Crowborough visit fifth placed Lewes, in a match that could determine the rest of ‘Boro’s season.