Following the previous week’s emphatic performance, Crowborough returned to earth this week when 4th placed ‘Boro visited 8th placed Park House ,whose recent record of played five lost four , looked an even bet for a few points.!
Park, fielded a huge set of forwards who were to prove to be surprisingly mobile, with a back line that was equally as big , fast, and robust in defence even if they did play fast and loose with the off side law.
Closer to London, the underfoot conditions improve to a level unseen in recent weeks by their Sussex visitors, providing a firm surface ,that on paper , would suit the fleet footed ‘Boro backs.
This encounter should have been one of fast open support play, but quickly degenerated into a series of unnecessary stoppages, interspersed by rare snippets of rugby action, often interrupted by the Devonian law interpretations of the visiting official, much to the chagrin of the Travelling Faithful shivering on the side lines.

Park House were deservedly first on the score sheet with a well worked try wide out on the left, which went unconverted, but did post their intent that they were not just there to make u, p the numbers. Indeed as the game progressed, and from the few phases of rugby that did emerge, it was difficult to see how they were languishing in 8th position, such was their quality of play, particularly from their wrecking ball #3 in the front row and the centre pairing. 5-0
In previous weeks Crowborough have built their scores effectively, with forwards and backs working in concert, committing defences before unleashing their backs.
But games are won and lost by small margins, and where last week half chances worked in their favour , when loose passes were grasped and held onto; support runs from deep were not overrun as the ball was taken at pace; and where the ball was not dislodged in the tackle, this week was the opposite. This meant, when combined with the interminable stoppages, any momentum that was initially produced was instantly halted , and the whole process restarted once more.
In the first quarter ‘Boro were limited to one Oscar Thatcher penalty which was immediately countered by Park House , maintaining the 5 point margin. 8-3
As the half progressed it was hard to see where the next score would come from. As it turned out , Park House were the recipients of a penalty try, awarded for an apparent high tackle on the winger by Josh Jarvis some 5 metres out , but, said the official “ he was in the act of scoring”. Jarvis was shown yellow and ‘Boro were down to 14 men. 15-3
The game was in danger of getting away from the visitors, and as is often the case when players become anxious and anxiety sets in , the collective responsibility often resorts to individuals trying to make the difference that will get their team back on track, which has often been seen to have the opposite result.
But under the calming influence of captain Dave Bennett, the side regrouped, and although a man down ,forced play into the park 22 with the clock running down. A series of mauls saw ‘Boro progress to within 10 metres of the Park line , where Adam King broke left to cross over the line for an Oscar Thatcher converted try as the half time whistle went.10-15 HT
The next 32 minutes saw a cold easterly wind supplemented by an annoyingly heavy drizzle, but no score. Back to 15 players , Crowborough tried to play their well tried and tested brand of of rugby , but the Park press defence and double tackling was uber successful , turning over too many balls into their own attacks.
However it was ‘Boro who had the edge as the game moved into the final few minutes, with the next score surely being the defining moment of the game. With play on the half way line the ‘Boro pack drew in the loose defenders as Sam Marchesi released the backs who were able to draw their men before passing, which meant that when it reached Will Pitman he just had his opposite number and the covering fullback to beat.
Cutting inside the first and side stepping the second, the line was open and begging 15 metres away, as he streaked across the turf and crossed the line under the posts to score? But agonisingly the Devonian official suggested that he had not put the ball down with pressure and ruled out the “try”, that would surely have taken the score to 15-17 with just minutes left, but it was not to be.
With just two minutes left, and ‘Boro looking on the wrong end of the result , albeit with a losing bonus point, Park House were to have the last say. Camped in the ‘Boro 22 the wrecking ball #3 burst off the back of the maul , and with defenders pinging off left and right crashed over for the final converted score with the final whistle bringing the game to and end 22-10.