This crucial game was in doubt right up to kick off. The heavy rain on Friday followed by another deluge on Saturday morning meant the pitches were only marginally playable at best. A group of senior club members took the bold decision, with an improving forecast, to go ahead. It proved to be the right decision.
On a very heavy pitch, Bromley started the better but soon Crowborough got into their stride. Unlike earlier in the season, they played with pragmatism with short offloads to support players and only moving the ball wide when it was prudent to do so. Crowborough’s attacks were all to often halted thanks to persistent offside by the Bromley defence, much to the frustration of the large and vociferous crowd. Crowborough got the scoreboard moving with a penalty on the 20 minute mark when Ollie Clinch struck the ball beautifully out of the swamp like mud. Considering the conditions both sides were playing good rugby with neither side able to dominate.
Young Sam Eyres, Bertie Boast and Tom Boddy in the backs used the ball well but it was the forwards who kept us moving forward. Crowborough went close after about 32 minutes when following some good pick & drives by the forwards the ball went wide to young Josh Radford who was bundled into touch just a metre short of the line. On the 35 minute mark ‘Borough were rewarded for their efforts when the forwards had Bromley on the back foot with their excellent close quarter work. Callum Main crashed over for the score under the posts. With the Ollie Clinch conversion: 10-0. This was the half-time score. A pretty enjoyable and evenly contested first half despite the conditions.
Bromley started the second half strongly but the home defence held firm. The visiting full-back was a threat throughout and his speed over the ground was very impressive. It was just 7 minutes into the half when Bromley cracked the ‘Borough defence wide open with an excellently worked try with the centre going over close to the posts. However, the conversion was pushed wide of the far side upright.
Crowborough were soon back into their stride and pushing Bromley back into their half. A desperate clearing kick was charged down by Ollie Clinch who kicked ahead twice and won the race to the ball touching down under the posts. His conversion took the score to 17-5. The game ebbed and flowed and with legs tiring more and more mistakes crept into the contest. Crowborough’s defence creaked a little but generally held firm. Bromley did breach it after about 15 minutes of the half with excellent support play eventually freeing up space for the speeding full-back in support who went over wide out. 17-10 and nerves began to jangle for the home supporters, especially as Bromley started to show why they are 2nd in the league.
Crowborough stuck to their task with some resolute defence and brutal tackling epitomised by Ollie Clinch’s thumping tackle which prevented a certain Bromley try. The home side slowly but surely got back into the game and started to dominate in the contact areas with Callum Main, Dave Bennett and skipper Alex Purnell leading from the front. Will Creasy put in some powerful runs. It was another piece of luck that put Crowborough further ahead. The ever alert Rob Lester charged down another defensive kick and his speed over the ground after a kick ahead put ‘Borough 22-10 ahead. The conversion took the score to 24-10. With 8 minutes to play Crowborough now had to kill off the game. It was time to put the ball up the very muddy jumper and simply keep it away from Bromley. This they did with aplomb. A final Ollie Clinch penalty sealed it. 27-10 and 9th place in the league.
Six wins on the trot taking Crowborough to 9th and (potentially) safe from relegation. Everyone of the boys who took to the field over the last six weeks deserves a huge pat on the bag. As do the coaches who through adversity have turned this team around in spectacular fashion. A special mention to the ground staff. In previous years this game would have been postponed. The effort put in recently has paid dividends.