65 mm of rain fell on the Crowborough pitches on Thursday, (equivalent to approx. 500 tons of water on each pitch, calculated by someone with too much time on their hands) and it was a testament to the ‘Boro ground staff , that this match even took place .
Prior to the match ,80 diners sat down to lunch before being royally entertained by guest speaker Sir Gareth Edwards who regaled the audience with tales of the 1971 Lions Tour To New Zealand, and then dissected in minute detail, THAT TRY, whilst playing for the Barbarians against the same opponents at Twickenham !
Heathfield and Crowborough, with six miles and 11 points separating the sides, are the only Sussex representatives in Kent 1, and have always enjoyed the decades of friendly rivalry.
The cloying Wealden clay was going to have a major influence on the game, with the Greenies pack dominating the early phases of play, and with the ‘Boro back row stemming any real progress.
In the first 10 minutes Crowborough hardly managed to break into the Greenies half as the larger visiting pack retained possession. With a rare foray by the backs, a speculative kick into the ‘Boro 22 skidded over the line and appeared to be well covered, but the Greenies wing had followed up the kick beating the ‘Boro defence to the touch down. The kick was missed.0-5
Soon after the restart, Andrew Kidd was shown what was to be the first of five yellow cards as this encounter became gradually more acrimonious.
Heathfield to their credit tried hard to play through the backs, and the strong #14 went close on the right before being denied by Harry Marchesi. From the resulting scrum, the big visiting pack put on the drive, forcing the ‘Boro defence to stay bound, and as the line approached the #7 broke off the back to score a converted try 0-12.
For most of the half , Crowborough had had little opportunity to get their hands on the ball, but with Callum Main and his back row colleagues disrupting possession with some crunching defence, ‘Boro at last made their way into the Greenies 22.
From a scrum on the 5 metre line, keeping it tight the home side put on the drive , and as it crossed the line it was Richard Tasker who came up with the try, and although the kick was pulled wide Crowborough were still in this contest as half time arrived preceded by another yellow that was flourished to the visitors. 5-12 HT
Clearly the #Boro coaching team had had words, as from the restart Will Creasey barged into the Greenies 22, but was pulled down feet short of the line, and was then pinged for holding on. Crowborough had posted their intentions for the second half.
Having hardly been in the visitors half in the first forty minutes, Crowborough took the game to the visitors and did everything except score, with the Greenies defence proving difficult to break down.
Having not used their backs to any real effect, ‘Boro started to use the front foot ball to release the back division, but failed to use the pace out wide, in favour of either trying to exploit the marginal gaps in the centre, or off-loading in contact that often put the receiver in trouble where the momentum broke down.
With the belief that the score could be levelled both sides doubled down, with Crowborough seemingly the side best suited to score next.
With time running out, ‘Boro broke into the Greenies 22, and from a ruck #9 Sam Marchesi was played, then in what can only be described as an aberration , with the ball nowhere near him, Will Pitman was taken out by an uncontrolled no arms tackle. With tensions high and time running out, there were multiple confrontations as ‘Boro took exception to the unnecessary use of force, and although more than “handbags” it soon fizzled out, with the official, who had been blind sided to the cause, issued two yellows with the two second rows from either side “taking one for the team”, followed moments later by the Greenies #13.
With a man advantage , Crowborough were awarded a penalty and with time running down , and needing 7 points to draw, they ignored the three points and put the ball into touch for the line out. The Greenies stole the ball and kicked long into the ‘Boro half, where it was fielded by Will Pitman, who drew the cover before feeding Ed Croft on the charge.
Moving into the Greenies half Croft was brought down but with the support struggling to keep up. Heathfield gratefully recycled the ball and charged into the ‘Boro 22. With the ‘Boro defence committed to the previous attack the holes opened up and the try became a formality between the sticks with a simple conversion. Moments later the whistle went for full time and Heathfield took the short trip home ,with temporary bragging rights.5-19