Sixth placed Crowborough welcomed tenth placed Cranbrook to Steel Cross , where the leaden sky of the previous two weeks cleared, to briefly reveal a weak winter sun that sadly disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Having no significant drying effect on the sticky, cloying Wealden clay, the mud was to prove to be a great leveller, in spite of much attempted enterprising play by both sides.
Crowborough came into this penultimate match of 2024, on the back of three consecutive losses, and this match up was the time to get back into the saddle, before next week’s local derby encounter at 4th placed Heathfield who recorded a narrow win, away to 5th placed Dover.
Cranbrook started this match at pace, and soon Harry Marchesi was in the action with a well executed try saving tackle, as the Cranbrook backs attempted to overcome the heavy conditions. Boro cleared this threat away up to the half way line, where Cranbrook transgressed, with the second penalty taking the game to the ‘Brook 5metre line.
From the lineout the ‘Boro pack ,which was to be the dominant collective throughout the match, secured the ball, and recycled to the back of the maul, where Will Creasey took possession, and with a strength built from eight weeks of frustrated inactivity cruised over the line for the score that was converted by Oscar Thatcher 7-0
The match flowed, and as ‘Brook cruised towards the ‘Boro 22, ‘Boro were accused of being offside and the simple penalty kept ‘Brook in touch 7-3.
The ‘Boro back division know only one way to play, but in spite of the desire, the heavy conditions enabled the ‘Brook blitz defence to shut down the ‘Boro enterprise with some uncompromising tackles. However the conditions were meat and drink to the mobile aggressive back row trio of Main, Kidd and King, who latched onto any breakdown, and as Thatcher was halted Andrew Kidd scooped up the ball and popped the pass to a fast arriving Adam King who crossed the line to keep the scoreboard ticking over, although the kick dropped short. 12-3
With the game well into the second quarter, a loose pass to Gus Weir on the right wing saw him get a tow punt on the ball which skidded across the muddy top surface and into touch 10 metres from the ‘Brook line. Cranbrook won the line out, but elected not to clear their line but enterprisingly to run out of defence! Unfortunately the ball was mishandled and the error was compounded by the prop who was shown yellow as half time approached.
Although the penalty was in front of the posts, ‘Boro wisely opted for the scrum. The shove came on and the visitors started to back peddle. Sam Marchesi picked up at the back passing to Sam Skinner, who turned the ball inside to Will Creasey, who had freed himself from the second row, and with a spiral shook off the attention of the final defender to score his second of the afternoon. 17-3
Sadly, with seconds in the half still on the clock and Cranbrook attacking into the ‘Boro 22, the game came to a shuddering halt, as Jed Westcott the ‘Brook #14, attempting to narrow the deficit, was tackled, and in what can only be described as a rugby accident, the audible crack of a broken leg immediately brought the half to a halt. Medics arrived from both sides and from the rank of spectators to minister to the casualty as both teams left the field for thirty minutes until it was safe to remove the stretcher and resume the match.
With the visitors bench reduced to one with the #8 having to leave the pitch in the first half and the #14 on his way to hospital, it was always going to be difficult to regroup, and when ‘Boro attacked once more into the ‘Brook 22, the risk of the blitz defence was exposed when they were accused of being offside. Crowborough ignored the easy three points, and opted for the scrum. With the drive on the score was to be a formality, as Josh Rhodes dotted the ball over the line for the fourth try bonus point try 22-3
Moving into the final quarter and with the light dimming, Josh Jarvis made way for Jared Hermann who slotted into the #10 berth, with Skinner moving to centre.
Once more ‘Boro attacked into the ‘Brook 22 but were held up then transgressed. The relieving penalty fell short and was fielded by Andrew Kidd who took the ball back to his pack. Setting up the maul the visitors were driven back and inevitably it was Will Creasey who rounded off his return with his hat trick try, converted by Oscar Thatcher. 29-3
Incredibly, and to their credit , Cranbrook showed that special never say die attitude, attacking into the ‘Boro half where they were awarded a penalty 30 metres out. In the first half, and in a similar position, ‘Brook had taken a short rehearsed penalty, lining up in “flying wedge” format, before fanning out to the open side attempting to draw the cover from the blind side. It worked but a dropped ball brought the endeavour to an end. This time they tried it again, with the home side falling for the ploy a second time. With the ball cycled to the left the cover followed, before the attack was reversed to the blind side where the wing , unmarked, cruised in to score in the corner, for an unconverted try to bring the game to an end 29-8.
This match was refereed by Mr Colin Revell, from Hampshire who had an outstanding game handling both sides with firmness and sensitivity, keeping the game flowing. Well done sir!
This result leaves ‘Boro in sixth position of 34 points equal to fifth placed Dover who go above the Sussex side on count back. With both side on 3 losing bonus points , and six wins apiece ‘Boros 7 try bonus points to Dover’s 5 try bonus points , are eclipsed with Dovers 1 draw against Crowborough 1 more loss, such are the fine margins in this league.
Next week Crowborough travel the four miles to Heathfield for their pre-Christmas encounter.