A strong second half performance get's the job done.

Match Report by Mr Rick Howe.

Crowborough travelled to Maidstone, to take on a side that was looking for it’s first win, having lost all eight of their opening games this season. If there was ever to be a potential banana skin for the visitors, surely this was it.
Crowborough started as they did the previous week adhering to the agreed game plan, with close support and off-loading, driving the defenders back into their own 22. When Maidstone transgressed the resulting penalty was ignored as the ball was put into touch for the potential catch and drive. So far so good.
The catch was taken; the drive came on, and then the first of what was to be a litany of penalties against the visitors was awarded to the home side who cleared the ball up-field.
Maidstone retained possession and from a delicate kick through by the #10 ‘Boro were forced into carrying the ball into touch 5 metres out from their own line. From the lineout the #13 was given a sympathetic pop pass to cruise through the gap to score what until then had seemed like an unlikely try, converted by the #10. 0-7
Persevering with the game plan, ‘Boro were soon once more camped deep in the left corner where they were awarded a lineout. The planned catch and drive was disrupted as Matt Botterman was brought down. Tom West fed the loose ball to Ali Main who juggled the ball, and in doing so created the dummy that opened the gap for his swallow dive try between the sticks. Oli Clinch added the two points to level the score. 7-7
With that part of the field, proving fruitful, ‘Boro returned to the scene of their success. Maidstone , wise to what was coming, lined up clearly a metre off-side but desperate to cut down the space. But in anticipating the potential assault, the defensive line was dog-legged, so that when Tom West whipped the pass to Ali Main the switch to a fast arriving Rob Lester on the angle was all that was needed to breach the line, and score under the posts for a Oli Clinch converted try 7-14.
Following one more attempt in the same corner when the ball was knocked on in the process of crossing the line, it appeared that the agreed game plan was abandoned as ‘Boro reverted to gaining territory by kicking away hard won possession often aimlessly and dangerously handing back attacking ball to the home side. This was further compounded by an uncharacteristically slow ‘Boro line speed that allowed the Maidstone backs, to make good ground, defying their lowly league position, and showing that there is potential in their midst.
As half time approached, Maidstone cleared upfield. Working the ball into the ‘Boro 22 Maidstone won a scrum eight metres out, and as ‘Boro relaxed for a moment Maidstone took advantage to score a converted try, levelling the score as the side changed around, but not before Tom West was shown a yellow card during the build-up to the try. 14-14
As Crowborough were not dominating the set pieces as they should, Will Creasey was brought off the bench to add bulk to the scrum with Alex Purnell reverting to the #2 berth.
This seemed to deliver quicker and cleaner scrum ball which soon allowed Ali Main to put in a raking kick towards the wing of Gus Weir, and although the ball did not fall to hand Gus Weir was able to clutch onto and force the full back over his own line for a ‘Boro 5 metre scrum. With the scrum base much firmer it was a simple matter for Matt Botterman to pick up and drive the remaining inches over the line for another Oli Clinch converted try, but with only a score between the sides ‘Boro needed to up their game and believe in the plan. 14-21
As Zeb Kisbee went off Bertie Boast came on, and the back division showed it’s versatility as players changed positions slotting into their new roles seamlessly. From a penalty Ali Main once again gave his forwards the opportunity to take the lineout 5 metres from the Maidstone line, and although the throw-ins had been much of a lottery all afternoon, Tom Kent latched onto the overthrow and few would be able to stop him from that distance as he recorded ‘Boro’s bonus point try. 14-26.
Tom West next launched an attack on the halfway line. Ali Main switched with Rob Lester who was brought down on the 22, and as Matt Botterman arrived he got a boot to it and then picked up the loose ball on the run, and with two defenders in attendance carried them both over the line to record the try that Oli Clinch converted. 14-33
With clear daylight between the sides the scene was set for the best try of the afternoon that featured speed, support and athleticism in equal measure. A cross field kick by Ali Main was collected by Gus Weir who was having an exceptional afternoon. With space to operate, Gus Weir sped down the left tramlines pulling the defence over, and as the full back arrived he popped the ball inside to Rob Lester in close support. In a single motion Weir bounced back to his feet and was up to full speed as Lester was brought down ten metres short of the line, and in the act of going to ground Lester popped the ball up to Weir who gratefully crossed the line to end his recent drought and bring the game to an end 14-38.
Crowborough travel back to East Kent next week ( 30th Nov ) to play their abandoned game against Deal KO 2:30pm, where a victory would take the Sussex side into 3rd place in the league.