This was a rearranged match following the postponement earlier this month due to the weather. Regulations say that the game must be replayed at the earliest available weekend.
Unfortunately this “fallow” weekend coincided with the weekend that the whole ‘Boro backline, being responsible club members, had earmarked for their winter ski vacation!
The coaching team were determined to fulfil the fixture, and fielded a starting side that included 12 forwards, supplemented by those who were pressganged! Although the rookie backline were to be put under untold pressure throughout the match, full credit must be given to them, for holding out so stoically under the onslaught they were constantly subjected to.
The home side started the better, and had the visitor’s back-peddling into their own 22, before the ‘Boro defence kicked in , with Callum Main leading his back row, with several crunching tackles that halted the attacks and gave the visitors renewed impetus to take the game to the home side.
Mitch Malherbe making his first team debut since before the pandemic, played as only he knows, with several route one runs, that drove the Dover defence backwards, but that could only end one way, which it did when after twenty five minutes he had to retire with a back injury to be replaced by Henry Carter.
Captain Dave Bennett had by this time spent 10 minutes contemplating his punishment for an alleged crocodile roll infringement. During this time Dover used the extra man wisely, and from a scrum on the halfway line the #10 created a superb individual effort with a sublime and effective side step that opened the space for a simple converted try that threatened to open the flood gates. 7-0
However ‘Boro to their credit did not panic, and continued in the belief that attack is the best form of defence, and with Andrew Kidd leading the charge broke deep into the Dover 22, before Dover transgressed for what was to be the first of four cynical penalties that not only went unpunished, without a yellow being flourished, but without what was surely sufficient evidence for a penalty try, an omission that would arguably change the outcome of this match.
Crowborough, no doubt incensed by this injustice were next on the score sheet with a well constructed try that started when Adam King broke left from the base of the scrum, and passed to #14 Toby Thorne on the left wing, who with space running out had the foresight to pass inside to the fast arriving Lucas Flatman who went outside the cover and stretched to his full height to touch the ball down in the corner, keeping ‘Boro in this contest. The kick was pulled right. 7-5
Shortly after, and with 10 minutes to go, Dover paid ‘Boro the ultimate compliment of going for goal when awarded a penalty, rather than going for a potentially easy 7 pointer. 10-5
The half was still not over, and when the Dover #8 broke right to the short side, supported by the #10 and wing, the ‘Boro cover was a.w.o.l allowing the wing to cut behind the try line to dot the ball down between the sticks for another converted try. 17-5.
The game was in real danger of getting away from the visitors, and a final penalty saw the sides turn around 20-5 HT
The ‘Boro coaching team drew upon the Crowborough spirit, and the side rose to the occasion immediately taking the game deep into the Dover 22. As the maul was set up 15 metres out ‘Boro put on the drive, much to the surprise of the larger Dover pack, and drove the home side backwards and over their own line with Richard Tasker rising from the pile of bodies to claim the score, Oscar Thatcher added the two points to keep ‘Boro in touch 20-12, just a penalty away from a losing bonus point!
The contest flowed from end to end with neither side able to dominate, but as the game entered the final quarter any score would make the outcome of this contest very interesting, with the local vocal support suddenly subdued.
Unfortunately for ‘Boro that next score came from Dover when a ‘Boro attack broke down, and with the cover out of place, Dover crossed the line for an unconverted try.25-12
This, to many sides would have been “game over”, particularly as Andrew Kidd had previously been shown a “team “ yellow, but Crowborough’s, “ never say die attitude”, was brought to the fore and continued to take the game to the home side.
Turning the ball over on their own 10 metre line Adam King lacking support put in a long raking kick that bounced deep into the Dover 22, and a foot race ensued, which the Dover #15 won. However the fitter ‘Boro pack arrived quickly and with momentum drove the maul over the line for Will Creasy to record the try that took the score to 25-17, an agonising point short of recording a losing bonus point. Jared Harmann, stepped up to take the pressure kick and smoothly stroked the ball between the uprights 25-19 and the losing bonus point.
However the game still was not over and Dover whom were chasing the bonus point win, were determined to remove the lone ‘Boro point and attacked once more into the ‘Boro 22. Having given so much the ‘Boro side were not going to give a simple score to the home side and held out until the final whistle.25-19
There is no doubt that the best side on the day won this match, but the real winner was “rugby” where the character and spirit was shown by those ‘Boro players, who answered the call , and stepped up a level or even two levels, to enable this match to proceed. Well done boys.
The question on the lips of those “Travelling Faithful” as they drove the hour and a half back to Crowborough was the “what if” when recalling the potential seven pointer at the end of the first half, which arguably could have resulted in the biggest robbery since Hatton Garden at 25-26!
This result means that Crowborough and Dover swap places in the league with 5th placed ‘Dover on 45 points and 6th placed ‘Boro on 44 points.
Next week Crowborough welcome back the boys from the Piste for the game against Charlton Park at Steel Cross.
At Steel Cross, Crowborough 2nd XV, shorn of several players who were playing on the channel coast, ran out 24 v’s 19 winners against Uckfield 2nd XV.
A great result for the 2nd XV , which takes them clear and on top of the league, That's now 7 wins on the bounce. Credit to the Coaching Team and the Two joint Captains !