After 12 unrelenting hours of torrential rain, the underlying conditions at Steel Cross last Saturday, could best be described, in racing parlance, as ”soft to soggy”.
Both sides took their time to adjust to the conditions, with the first twelve minutes of play fixed firmly between the two 10 metre lines.
Crowborough’s pack brought some semblance of order to the proceedings, and provided the backs with plenty of good ball, but they had not counted on the excellent and well drilled Ashford blitz defence that prevented the ball from going wide.
Sam Marchesi set about breaking this state of affairs ,when from a scrum on the Ashford 10 metre line, he broke left down the fifteen metre channel, linking up with Will Pitman who with his trade mark burst of speed, evaded his opposite number to go over in the corner. In these conditions kicking was always going to be a lottery and the score remained at 5-0
The ‘Boro pack upped the pressure to dominate the set pieces, but it would be well into the second half before their backs were able to put a strategy into place to exploit all that possession.
Having found a way to avoid the crowded mid-field, Marchesi and Pitman once more motored down the left with the same result, although this time Pitman made it easier for Jonah Houghton to convert the extra 2 points. 12-0
Inexplicably, having taken the initiative, ‘Boro then proceeded to give away needless penalties, one of which saw Sam Bennett shown yellow. This allowed Ashford to march their way deep into the ‘Boro 22, where a series of well controlled pick and drives saw Ashford cross the ‘Boro line only for the ball to be adjudged to be held up. But relief was fleeting, as the drop out was returned ,and the second attempted rolling maul more successful, as this time the ball was grounded for a well taken converted try. 12-7
This appeared to give Ashford the confidence they needed, and with Sam Bennett restored to the front row, and half time approaching, their forwards once more crossed the white wash in the left corner to level the score, followed by another yellow shown to Adam King in the last seconds of the half. 12-12 HT
In the second half ‘Boro’s fitness seemed to help them adapt to the conditions better, with the pack building upon their well drilled set pieces, with some impressive loose play. Not to be out done the backs, having had little success with their running game, started to exploit the wide open spaces behind the fast arriving blitz defence, with kicks and chips, catching man and ball and setting up attacks.
This tactic, at last, provided space for the backs to operate, and they were soon threatening the visitors 22, where captain Dave Bennett broke the dead lock as he crashed over for a Jonah Houghton converted try. 19-12
Crowborough were controlling the match, but needed that bonus point try , which as the clock ran down, came from Josh Jarvis as the ‘Boro maul once more split the Ashford defence. Jonah Houghton added the two points through a drop kick, to bring the game to an end 26-12.
Crowborough’s 2nd string also had a successful outing against Hellingly 1st XV running out 41-0 winners.
Next week Crowborough, who by virtue of this win are back in fifth place , travel to Charlton Park KO 2:30 , who were on the wrong end of a Heathfield pummelling, and remain in twelfth.
Other results saw Beccahamians come second to Bromley, a rejuvenated Park House demolish Cranbrook, Sevenoaks 2nd’s scoring 80 points to Dovers 31, and Canterbury 2nd’s recording their customary win over Deal on Friday night