The opening of the new season, saw a new look ‘Boro side take to the pitch on Saturday, as much due to strong competition for places, as to the legacy of injuries from last season, and the WRWC being played in Brighton.
This is a young team, that has benefited from the promising academy system developed in recent years.
It was probably inevitable in this first game that both sides brought their training routine enthusiasm to the pitch, but in the reality of match conditions, the over ambitious pass, or running line finesse cannot be re-run, accuracy suffers, as momentum breaks down.
The game was played at real pace by both sides, with the constantly changing point of attack, ensuring that the defences were kept honest.
Crowborough’s back row were the first to prove their effectiveness, with Josh Rhodes and captain Adam King providing strong robust running lines to support the growing half-back partnership of Sean Bate and Sam Skinner, while Henry Carter put in several seismic tackles to stop the home side attacks firmly in their tracks.
It was to be ‘Boro that got onto the score sheet first, when after 9 minutes Oscar Thatcher slotted a penalty after several infringements by the home side, desperate to prevent their line being crossed. 0-3
From the kick off, Cranbrook threatened the ‘Boro line, but the defence was up to the task and in turning the ball over, showed their ambition by starting an attack from their own line. From a long pass from Sam Skinner to Josh Jarvis space developed which Will Pitman then exploited, putting on the after-burners. Rounding his opposite number without changing pace and approaching the try line, he drew the cover and fed back inside to the supporting Harry Marchesi, who crossed the line only for the ball to be judged to be held up.
Crowborough returned the drop out, but an over ambitious pass was intercepted by the outside centre, who, although with a 10 metre advantage, was slowly, but inexorably caught before the line, where the official decided that ‘Boro had transgressed and awarded a penalty. The home side decided to go for the lineout with a catch and drive. But ‘Boro were alert to the threat and countered the drive and were awarded their own penalty clearing the threat into touch on the ‘Boro 22.
A throw to the front saw Jonah Houghton exploit the left touch line reaching the 10 metre line before feeding the supporting Harry Marchesi. With half the field to go Sean Bate arrived on his shoulder splitting the cover defence which allowed Sean Bate to canter in to score under the posts for an Oscar Thatcher conversion. 0-10
With confidence growing, ‘Boro’s defence nullified the Cranbrook attacks putting in limited numbers, whilst others covered across waiting for the inevitable error and turnover, but half time arrived . HT 0-10
With ‘Boro playing up the slight slope into the wind, Crowborough took the game to the home side determined to get the next quick score and kill off any come back.
The score duly came when Josh Rhodes, cutting an excellent outside to in line took an inside pop pass from Skinner to breeze through the gap to score under the posts for Jonah Houghton to convert.0-17
Cranbrook were determined not to go down to a zero point game, and duly scored out wide on the right although the kick fell short. This gave the home side improved impetus, but time ran out as ‘Boro recorded their first away win at the Kent side in many years. 5-17
With a win and 4 points, Crowborough are 6th placed in the League after several games recorded big bonus point wins, which at this stage either point to sides with excellently developed attacks or sides with porous defences, time will only tell.
The 2nd XV’s also faced off at Cranbrook, with ‘Boro just falling short in a high scoring game that was enjoyed by all concerned, and with the 2nds kicking off early their raucous vocal support for the 1st’s added to the occasion.
Next week Crowborough again travel away, to Sevenoaks, who lost their first encounter of the season away to Dover.KO 3pm.