Crowborough's best performance so far this season.......

This week’s Match Report – Written by Graham Callard

The battle of the “‘Boroughs” got off to an inauspicious start with the visitors arriving without their match day kit and that with the persistent rain that didn’t augur well for the game ahead. Playing in Pulborough’s alternative mauve kit the game started very scrappily. Ten minutes in the game was still error strewn but with the home side playing the more assured rugby. This assurity allowed the home side to drive a penalty deep into Crowborough’s half. From the resultant lineout they caught and drove forward with power and discipline for the big second row to crash over for the opening try. The conversion took the score to 7-0.
The try spurred Crowborough into action. This time they drove the ball deep into the opposition half. From a messy lineout and then subsequent scrum Matt Botterman made a fine break supported by Tom West.
Matt Botterman got the ball back but was held up inches short of the line. It was not long afterwards that Crowborough’s duck was broken. Good simple passing with outside half Graeme Francis engineering the space for Alex Purnell to go over for the try. Graeme Francis then added the conversion. 7-7.
Crowborough were now on the offensive but often it was their defence that created the opportunities to counter attack. One defensive drive saw Pulborough going backwards 20 metres and then conceding a penalty to find themselves deep in their own half. Crowborough now stamped a degree of authority on the contest with backs and forwards despite the very wet conditions working well together. Connor Hand went close wide out after an exciting passage of play. From the resulting lineout Crowborough showed the hosts they too could catch and drive. Andy Orchard soared high to secure the ball before Matt Botterman got his hands on it to power over. Graeme Francis added the two points. 7-14.
The visitors could well have run away with the game at this point except for outstanding and fearless tackling by the home side. The weather also played its part with both sides trying to hold onto what resembled a large bar of soap. Pulborough seem to cough up the ball more frequently and sadly for them it consistently took the steam out of promising attacking positions. Crowborough extended their lead after the home side knocked on close to their line with 35 minutes of the game gone. From the ensuing scrum Matt Botterman was able to drop on the ball over the line to extend the score to 7-19, this being the half time score.
The second half started very scrappily before Crowborough took control. Adam King making a fine break but unable to release the support. Likewise full-back Lloyd Smith made a lovely break but that too came to nothing. Pulborough were the first on the scoreboard after a wayward kick by Crowborough was fielded and returned with interest. A rare lapse in concentration meant the rapid home wing was able to pounce onto the ball and canter under the posts from 50 metres out. 14-19
With 28 minutes to go the home side saw a chance to get back into the game but the visitors were having nothing of it. They drove deep into the home half only to be held up by an amazing last ditch tackles on three occasions. Eventually it was Alex Purnell who took the plaudits to score. Graeme Francis converted. 14-26.
Crowborough now had to tackle relentlessly and did so with aplomb. That aided by silly penalties from the home side allowed the visitors to stay in control. The decisive score came after Crowborough charged down a clearance kick which Lloyd Smith picked up and with a defender on his back crashed over for the try. With the conversation it took the final score to 14-33.
The coaching team were delighted with the win but recognised there is still much to do as they head to Vigo RFC near Meopham in Kent for next week’s encounter.