Crowborough arrived in South London with several back division absentees, as their season of incredible injuries continues. Compounded by the annual exodus to the warm climes off the east Australian coast, and the scene was set for a selection dilemma.
On paper the outcome was a foregone conclusion, but for a large part of the first half the ‘Boro eight, fought toe to toe with the Division’s second placed side, providing clean if not quick ball to their makeshift backs, who caused their opposite numbers to take note.
However, it was to be expected and the well trained home side backs were first on the scoreboard with a well worked try exploiting space on the left wing. The kick went wide. 5-0
Crowborough were not too phased by this, and when Connor Hand slung out a long pass to Tom Boddy, he cut inside and fed the quickly arriving Josh Radford. With the touchline approaching, the supporting Toby Thorn was in danger of going over the side line, until Josh Radford stepped inside gaining a sliver of space to release Toby Thorn to dive in to score in the corner. The kick went unconverted.
Five minutes later ‘Boro were awarded penalty twenty metres out, and with an economy of effort Connor Hand’s kick bounced off the upright back into play, but the support that could have taken advantage was not close enough, and Beccs cleared the danger. 5-5
Although both side traded metaphorical punches, and fought hard for the 50-50 balls, it felt like only a matter of time before the gallant rear guard action would break down. With the Beccs #10 controlling the point of attack , he fed inside to exploit the channels closer to the scrum, and with the inevitable break through made, a huge gap appeared for the score between the sticks that was easily converted , taking the score to 12-5.
This scoreline would have been a fair reflection of the game as halftime approached, which few on the ‘Boro side would have complained about, but as the clock wound down Beccs exploited another lapse in defence to take the half time score to 19-5, and with Crowborough facing 40 minutes of literal uphill rugby!
Having generally used their limited backs resources well, during the first half, it was somewhat bizarre that the forwards hard won ball was immediately kicked away up field, into the waiting arms of any one of four Beccs defenders only too willing to use the opportunity for attack, that more often than not, ended up back where the kick had originated from. Such tactics are worth the gamble, but if they clearly do not work, then reverting back to Plan “A” is often the best option, not to keep on repeating it, hoping for a different outcome.
With this tactic giving the ‘Boro defence plenty of tackling practise, it was to their credit that they managed to keep the rest of the match to just two unconverted tries and a final score of 29-5.
This week sees ‘Boro travelling to close neighbours Heathfield and Waldron, who kept ‘Boros thread hanging survival chances alive, with a narrow away win over fellow strugglers Folkestone, when they hope to welcome back several of the walking wounded.