With just one week in, since the start of the delayed season, SE Water declared further drought restrictions, and Crowborough RFC may well have welcomed a further delay, following the visit of Dover RFC this weekend!
The previous week ‘Boro leaked points to narrowly lose by 4 points to Gillingham RFC, whilst this weekend’s visitors, had eked out a Friday night victory against Ashford RFC, and were anxious to ensure that that victory was not to be just a one off.
The home side were determined to get back in the saddle, and started the feistiest, winning set pieces that released their backs, to attack deep into their opponents half.
Initially Dover had no answer to the speedy ‘Boro attack, and soon realised that their quick press defence, was counter productive in enabling ‘Boro to attack their weak shoulders, and in doing so break the defensive line almost at will.
Until then ‘Boro looked most likely to score , but poor handling and the“in your face” solid aggressive defensive , brought these move to a halt.
The longer the half progressed without a score, the more anxious the home side appeared, and rather than trust in their well tried and tested attacking philosophy , it appeared that too many times, players held on when the break and support was available outside , and the moment was lost.
It was left to Rowan Bell to break the deadlock, some 10 minutes from half time when, from a scrum some 30 metres from the Dover line, Ed Croft's took a pass from Dave Bennett, and, committing the defence, off-loaded to Bell who avoided the first up tackle and then carried the remaining two defenders with him over the line to score a Jared Hermann converted try. 7-0
As in their previous match, each time ‘Boro went ahead they then relaxed to give the opposition time to recoup and attack. This game was no different, and as Dover attacked down the left wing with a two man overlap, the centre backed himself to score ,and as he cut inside he met Harry Marchesi who uncompromisingly halted his momentum, and saved what would have been a clear cut try.
However, Dover were not to be denied and soon crossed over to record their first score. As the kick was to be taken the ball fell off the tee, but the kicker had the presence of mind to pick it up and take a quick drop goal which inched its way over the bar to level the score with half time approaching. 7-7
As it turned out there was just sufficient time left for ‘Boro to edge the half with a Gus Weir try that finished off a classic backs move, under the posts, which Hermann converted to take the score to 14-7.
The second half started more evenly, with Dover determined to disrupt the home side’s attacks, by whatever means, resulting in the #1 being shown a team yellow for persistently being off-side and cynically disrupting the ‘boro attacks.
However it was Dover who were to take advantage of these tactics , when from a lineout, ‘Boro transgressed , and from the resulting free kick the #9 took a quick penalty that caught the ‘Boro defence napping and breezed through three half hearted attempted tackled to score to the right of the posts. The kick was missed to the left of the posts14-12
Several minutes later, a moment of confusion occurred, with the couple of hundred spectators on the touch line unsure of a decision, when, ‘Boro unable to get play into the Dover half, coughed up a cruel penalty when a loose pass was collected in an off-side position. The kick was not signalled as successful by either touch judge, but the official in the middle and the other 30 on the field had few doubts that the ball had flown through the centre of the posts, so the score of 14-15 stood.
There was still several minutes of the game still to play, but form and discipline had deserted the home side as they chased the win at all cost, and at the earliest opportunity with the clock in the red, the Dover #10 gratefully kicked to touch bringing the game came to a disappointing end 14-15, with ‘Boro finishing up with just the one point rather than the 4 that were on offer earlier in the half.
Crowborough are clearly better than these past two results appear to show, and although in tenth position with just 2 points to show for some very enterprising rugby, a win is surely on the cards when the raft of injured players return in future weeks.
This coming weekend Crowborough are once more away, travelling into the dreaded ULEZ territory for a match up with Beccahamians RFC, who are also at the wrong end of the table and will be anxious to get back on the winning trail.