Generally, scoring 26points and four tries would be a winning score, but last Saturday Crowborough again finished second best by and 8 point margin to 4th placed Beccahamians.
On another day, and in another place many impartial spectators watching this tussle, would have agreed that ‘Boro were constantly on the wrong end of 50-50 decisions, and that the margin could just as easily have been one point either way.
Crowborough started this game in their normal lively manner, with the pack surprising the visitors with robust carrying and rucking. Providing quick ball to the backs Ollie Clinch spotted the flat Becc’s defence and chipped over catching the ball on the full , but was halted short of the line. With the ‘Boro eight piling in Becc’s transgressed with what was to be a litany of off-sides, and a penalty was awarded. ‘Boro took the scrum and ‘Boro were soon on the board with a well taken Dave Bennett try, converted by Ollie Clinch. 7-0
The next play followed that of previous weeks, when Becc’s kicked off, the ball was fielded and returned up-field to a waiting and well positioned Becc’s back three, who then moved the play wide, with fast arriving supporting players, only for the move to break down as they approached the ‘Boro 22. As ‘Boro cleared their line once more, the Beccs#10 returned it with interest deep onto the ‘Boro 5 metre line. Winning the lineout ‘Boro once more tried to clear their line, but the ball was dropped and a penalty awarded to Becc’s for holding on.
The Becc’s hooker took a quick tap but dropped the ball over the line, but the official pinged the home side for not retreating ten metres and when it was retaken, the try and conversion were a formality.7-7
With Becc’s seemingly on a roll, they were soon back on the scoreboard with a well taken try that stretched the ‘Boro defence to the right, and with fast arriving support and abject tackling attempts crossed the line with an overlap to spare. The kick was missed. 7-12
Crowborough were playing some good attacking rugby, and moved the ball into the Becc’s 22 when Becc’s again transgressed, with ‘Boro awarded a penalty in front of the posts. With a confidence not seen all season the simple three points were ignored, and the ball placed onto the 5 metre line. Dave Bennett soared high, and the drive came on. The Becc’s pack bound in and stopped the initial drive, and when ‘Boro broke from the back of the ruck but knocked on. As the ball was fed in ‘Boro put on the nudge and knicked the feed. With the Becc’s back row forced to stay bound in and avoid a push over try, Will Creasey picked up to score a Ollie Clinch converted try.14-12
‘Boro again attacked deep into the Beccs half, with Will Creasey bulldozing into the centre channel before being brought down. With his support late to arrive, the ball was turned over and Becc’s started an attack down the left flank. The attack seamed innocuous enough, but two missed tackles meant that the initiative was back with the visitors, and just “Aussie bound” Sam Skinner to beat.
The large prop charged into Sam Skinner who managed to catch hold of the shirt and marginally slow the charge before Tom Boddy arrived to help out. However it was too little too late as the Becc’s support was already in full flow, moving the ball across the field with just three passes to score out wide on the right. The kick missed, bringing the half time score to 14-17, and still all to play for.
In an all too familiar start to the second half, Becc’s took their score to 14-24 with a converted try on the left, that any of the four overlapping players could have scored ,as the ‘Boro defence simply went walk-about.
The game was about to take a farcical turn, when the Becc’s #10 chipped over the ‘Boro line with the back three out of position. The defender was caught man and ball, and following the suspicion of a Becc’s knock on, the ball was hacked forward to start the foot race that ended with the ball grounded over the dead ball line. When the official arrived he concluded that the ball had been grounded before the dead ball and that the try stood? The kick was missed 14-29 and game running away from the home side.
Crowborough dug deep and drew on their reserves of strength and pride, driving the ball into the Becc’s 22 with Will Creasey leading the charge. Becc’s transgressed once more and Ollie Clinch took a quick tap penalty. Unable to get through the pack drove in as one, and although Becc’s held up the first three pick and drives it was Harry Slatter who crossed over for the Ollie Clinch converted try and an agonisingly close 8 point game. 21-29
Beccahamians fifth try came five minutes before the end of the match, 21-34 but it says much for the grit and determination of this ‘Boro side, who have suffered double figure long term injuries so far this season, that they could still take the game to the visitors with the aim of getting two bonus points from this outing.
In the dying moments and after ‘Boro had several pick and drives thwarted, with their last attempt Kieran Martin released his backs on the Becc’s 22, and with the ball finally passing through several hands and sticking, Ollie Clinch crossed the line for the fourth bonus point try. The possible second bonus point went begging as the final kick was pulled.
This result leaves ‘Boro still holding up the table on 1 point with Beccahamians in 4th. Next week’s opponents Charlton Park remain in 7th following their win over Thanet Wanderers.