Boro's slippery day out....

This fixture had all the hallmarks of a potential banana skin for the visitors, with ‘Boro haemorrhaging players as the season has taken its toll, and with The Bulls playing for pride with absolutely nothing to lose.

Crowborough started strongly but every attack was met with a resolute wall of Aylesford defenders determined to keep ‘Boro at bay. Young, Tom Kent getting his first start and destined to play for the full 80 minutes at #8, was anxious to impress, and in the first ten minutes had several strong carries eating up the ground with an impressive pace. However deep into the first quarter, following another powerful break, and with Adam King arriving at speed on his right, he failed to see the approaching support and opted for the glory path that was guarded by several large Bull defenders, and a promising opportunity passed.
Further opportunities to open the score went begging with Tom Nicoll crossing the line only for the pass to be judged forward and then Harry Sansbury agonisingly knocked on with the line beckoning. It was left to twinkle toed prop Richard Tasker to get the score rolling when he slotted into the back line to take the final pass, before side stepping the defence then sprinting the final fifteen metres to score. The kick went wide 0-5.

Yates added a penalty two minutes later before Charlie Butler showed want he really is capable of, finishing off a well-constructed move that started on the right with a maul from a line out some ten metres from the Bulls line. The ball was released to the backs, and by the time it reached Charlie Butler it was almost thirty metres back from the line. As Charlie Butler took the ball at pace the Bulls defence were simply unable even to get a finger on the mercurial winger as he rounded the despairing cover to score in the corner. The kick went wide.0-13

With the ‘Boro fifteen at last gelling, Andy Walters was next on the score sheet arriving late at an oblique angle, to wrong foot the defence and finish off a move created by Gus O’ Grady’s initial break. Chris Yates converted 0-20

Despite the scrolling scoreboard the Bulls refused to lie down ,continuing to put in telling tackles in defence and when they got possession running the ball deep into the ‘Boro half. With 36 minutes gone Tom Nicoll got his reward for some sterling work in the centre when he scored off an arcing run. Chris Yates added the two points 0-27.

Crowborough were still not finished, and as the clock ran down, a long clearance by the Bulls full back saw Charlie Butler field the ball and run fully sixty metres before setting up the ruck. With half backs Ben Delaney and Chris Yates working in harmony, they fed Tom Nicoll who broke right and then straightened the line, drawing in two defenders that left the supporting Harry Slatter unopposed. Tom Nicoll with sleight of hand passed the ball out of the “ back door “ which Harry Slatter gratefully received and sprinted in to score under the posts for Chris Yates to convert as the half time whistle went. 0-34 HT

Aylesford are a real enigma, continuing to confound and confuse the other sides in the league with their results, even though they clearly have several quality players with talent and potential, and play with a skill and determination that belies their lowly league position. Evidence of this was to come in spades, as the second half kicked off, with a now over confident ‘Boro playing into the strengthening wind.

Within five minutes of the restart, the Bulls made inroads into the 34 point deficit with an excellent forwards try that saw ‘Boro defend several pick and drives on their line before running out of defenders. The try was converted. 7-34. Such a set back against the run of play would normally signal a regrouping of effort from the Sussex side, but this was far from the case, as ‘Boro lost shape with a narrow defence that the Bulls #10 exploited with an inch perfect cross field kick that any one of the three unmarked backs, could have caught to score, -----which one did. The kick was successful narrowing the deficit to 20 points 14-34.

Andy Walters went off to join the long list of injuries, replaced by Sean Derrick, and with Harry Sansbury also side lined, Josh Groocock came on in the back row giving Tom Kent the opportunity to exercise his pace on the wing. Unfortunately this reorganisation took a little time to settle down and not before ‘Boro gifted the Bulls a three point opportunity in front of the posts.
Amazingly, with the ‘Boro players behind the line, the ball struck the bar and bounced back to the fast approaching #12. Although he was stopped before he could go over, the Bulls pack drove into the ruck and as the ball re-appeared it was picked up and dotted over the line for an unconverted try that further reduced the deficit to 15 points 19-34, and with still fifteen minutes to go who would bet against a fourth bonus point try and their first points of the season?

Certainly the Bulls left nothing on the pitch in the final quarter, and if there was any justice they would have got their point, but life is not fair, and indeed it was to be Crowborough that rounded off the score-fest with a well taken try set up by Josh Groocock who took an off-load from Chris Yates at real pace forcing the defence to back-peddle. With Tommy Nicoll and Sean Derrick in support it was Matt Botterman who backed himself to score the final try that Chris Yates converted with an economy of effort. 19-41.
Crowborough remain in 7th position one point behind Beckenham and six points behind Deal who have played two more games, making the fixture against Deal at Steel Cross on 21st March a must win for the home side if they are to have a chance at all of securing 5th place.

This weekend Crowborough welcome Medway for their re-arranged fixture cancelled earlier this year.

The Team, 1), Richard Tasker. 2), Ben Martyn. 3), Damien Hayes. 4), Harry Slatter. 5), Matt Botterman. 6), Gus O’Grady. 7), Nik Pass. 8), Tom Kent, (FRR). 9) Ben Delaney. 10), Chris Yates. 11), Adam King. 12), Tommy Nicoll. 13), Andy Walters. 14), Charlie Butler. 15), Harry Sansbury.
The Bench – 16), Josh Groocock. 17), Sean Derrick & 18), Dan Moore , Stepping up to the plate due to Mark Rosier getting injured during the warm-up.

The Referee was Chris Pullen.
Match report by Rick Howe.