1st XV
Matches
Sat 09 Feb 2019  ·  London 3 South East
Crowborough RFC
1st XV
29
12
Bromley
Boro' extend their lead at the top of London South East Three to 12 points.

Boro' extend their lead at the top of London South East Three to 12 points.

Ian GEERING11 Feb 2019 - 22:32
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After a solid performance in some difficult conditions at Steel Cross.....

Match Report by Rick Howe
Our Referee today was Raj Khanna

By a miracle and the hard work of the ‘Boro ground staff, three matches were able to take place last Saturday with around 110 players and supporters able to get their weekly rugby fix.
Bromley are in the wrong half of the table, and as seen for most of this season, they were again to prove that there really is no easy fixture in this division. For twenty minutes both sides defied the conditions and tried gamely to play running rugby. The defences manned up strongly, with both sets of forwards putting in the hard yards before releasing their backs. In the territory department it was Boro who seemed to be having more difficulty in combating the gale force wind, kicking for touch when a high long kick down the middle would perhaps have had more effect.
On the twenty minute mark ‘Boro broke the deadlock, following a Bertie Boast run down the right wing that was held up on the Bromley 22. The ball was recycled and Josh Groocock latching onto the pass, broke through a desperate tackle only to be brought down inches from the line, but not before he had off-loaded to Matt Botterman who was up in support, to score a Connor Hand converted first try. 7-0
Seven minutes later following a penalty ‘ Boro opted for a scrum. Alex Purnell broke from the scrum and fed Andy Orchard who was on for the injured Nick Hill. Unfortunately the slick ball was knocked on but from the Bromley scrum ‘Boro recovered the ball and with Connor Hand making a half break prop Mark Rosier playing some of his best rugby, was on hand to take the off-load and sprint the 5 metres to the line for a Connor Hand converted try 14-0.
With half time approaching Bromley piled on the pressure and for five minutes ‘Boro were as magnificent in defence as Bromley were in controlling the attack. Eventually Bromley found the gap and went into the break just seven points down 14-7.
With the wind backing behind them, ‘Boro proceeded to play the game deep in the visitors half, continuing to drive the bigger but tiring Bromley pack backwards, which enabled Alex Purnell to pick up at the back of the ruck and power over for an unconverted try. 19-7
In several of their previous matches ‘Boro have been guilty of giving away copious unnecessary penalties, which have hurt them and may have given them an undeserved reputation. Against Bromley they were again on the wrong end of several penalty decisions when in good scoring positions which stemmed momentum at crucial points of the match and let the opposition regroup.
Bertie Boast settled the side down when he ran onto a Connor Hand chip through, although the extra points could not be added. 24-7
Bromley were not to be outdone and secured a second try when their excellent #9 and the left wing inter-passed their way down the pitch to score a well- deserved converted try. 24-14
It was to be only fitting that the final score cemented a back row clean sweep when Josh Groocock brought the game to an end with a well taken individual effort. 29-14
With Vigo held to a three point victory over Hastings and Bexhill Crowborough move 12 points clear at the top of the table with just five more games to play.

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Feb 2019

Kickoff

14:30

Meet time

13:00

Instructions

Meet at the Club for 13.00pm.

Attendance

150

Competition

London 3 South East

League position

1
Crowborough
8
Bromley
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Sponsor - freemarketFX
Main Sponsor - Merlin Lazer