This weeks report is by Rick Howe.

Apart from a pre-season” friendly” last year, this was the first competitive encounter between these two sides in several decades.
Crowborough arrived with a much changed side from their last outing with four changes to the back division, due to injuries against their last opponents, and a revamped front row.
Cranbrook ran out deserved winners’, but some would say that the 17 point difference to the score line flattered the home side, whilst there were some positives for the visitors to take home and improve upon.
For much of the first quarter Cranbrook camped in the ‘Boro half, winning, then retaining possession for long periods, leaving ‘Boro to stem the relentless attacks with crunching but ultimately , debilitating tackles.
With the packs evenly balanced, Cranbrook slung their quick possession wide, using their strong running centre to target the ‘Boro centre pairing. Having committed the defence, quick off-loads produced the desired overlap that produced the first try of the afternoon wide out on the left, which the centre converted from wide out. 7-0
Crowborough’s discipline was sorely tested but the side generally maintained their composure apart from one offside decision that saw the board tick over to 10-0.
As ‘Boro spread their defence to prevent the overlaps developing the Cranbrook centre playmaker made several oblique runs against the direction of play, breaking through several times.
However it was to be a rare wayward pass during a ‘Boro attack that went to ground on the halfway line, which was then hacked on to set up a foot race for Cranbrooks third try that went unconverted 15-0.
By allowing Cranbrook to take the ball at pace, and without closing down the space between the two sets of backs, Crowborough were going to continue to haemorrhage points. At this point the game started to change as the ‘Boro pack started to win more possession and win challenges for the 50:50 balls. The ‘Boro half backs moved the point of attack wide, but its predictability and lack of dummy runners, meant that Connor Hand and Andy Orchard on the wings were often faced with two or three defenders.
However Crowborough persevered and although several chances went begging through poor handling and passing, ‘Boro started to threaten in the Cranbrook 22. From a lineout twenty metre out from the Cranbrook line, a break infield set up Dave Bennett , who from his #6 berth burst through to score a James Hart converted try15-7 .
Having got taste of the try line, ‘Boro continued to attack and as the half came to an end, a ‘Boro penalty put the ball deep into the Cranbrook 22. From the lineout ‘Boro mauled the ball towards the line but on four occasions Cranbrook prevented the touch down until Alex Purnell dotted the ball down 15-12 HT with ‘Boro very much in the game.
With the wind backing in favour of the home side,it was not too surprising that from the kick off it was used to pen the visitors deep in their own half.
It was to be another stroke of ‘Boro misfortune that saw the gap increase further as Cranbrook attacked down the left with seemingly nowhere to go, putting in a speculative kick towards the ‘Boro line. With the ball travelling at pace and destined to cross over the dead ball line, several players attempted to put the ball down. Just as it appeared that ‘Boro would get to the ball first, it bounced left and backwards into the path of Cranbrook wing who gratefully touched down. The try was well converted from the touch line 22-12.
This was to be the start of a ten minute “tryfest” that saw two more Cranbrook scores that took the game away from the visitors 34-12, but not before Kieran Martin danced his way through the Cranbrook defence for a consolation try that brought the game to an end 34-17
This Saturday is the home derby against Heathfield and Waldron Saturday KO 3:00pm.