A large crowd, including a substantial contingent from Charlton Park, enjoyed this bruising encounter. The game, with the home side in their alternate strip of blue and white, started much the same as many of Crowborough’s recent encounters; early pressure from the visitors and early conceding of penalties. Charlton Park started well with some good inter-passing between backs and forwards. The ‘Borough’s defence was resolute with hard hitting tackles keeping the visitors at bay.

Crowborough slowly got themselves into the game and it was now their turn to get backs and forwards working in harmony. Skipper Alex Purnell leading from front made good ground but when the ball went wide a misplaced pass and poor handling meant a good chance went begging. On the 15 minute mark it was Crowborough who got the scoreboard moving following a strong passage of play forcing Charlton Park to concede a penalty in kicking range. James Hart slotted the penalty 3-0.

The score galvanised the visitors and it was now Crowborough on the back foot. Deep in the home half another needless penalty was conceded. Park opted for a scrum having had success from the set piece in the opening quarter. It proved a good decision with Luke Boyns touching down for the try. The conversion was missed, 3-5.

The game continued to ebb and flow and with Crowborough now exerting the attacking pressure they found themselves deep in Charlton Park territory. Boldly they opted for a kick to the corner when a kick at goal was on. The decision proved the right one with the ball first moving in field where Rob Lester made a great break. The ball was then moved sharply out wide where Andrew Orchard was waiting to crash over for the try, 8-5. On the stroke of half time Crowborough infringed allowing Connor McDonald to even up the scores, (8 - 8).

Charlton Park started the second half on the front foot with ‘Borough now having to put in tackle after tackle. The large crowd were enjoying this very physical contest with neither side giving ground. The referee eventually lost patience with Crowborough’s penalty count dispatching the dogged Andrew Kidd to the bin for killing the ball at a ruck. Park took full advantage of the extra man with hooker Felix Marot making a superb 30 metre break before being hauled down a metre from the line. Quick passing freed up space for David Conway to go over in the corner. 8-13.

It was now Crowborough’s turn to be prodded into action. Finding themselves deep in the opposition half the referee brandished his yellow card this time in the direction of the Charlton Park prop. With numbers now evened up Crowborough took a quick tap penalty but sadly it came to nothing. Veteran Keith Brooker replaced James Hart at 9 and immediately made an impact by freeing up Ollie Clinch to put in a deft chip kick ahead from which he almost scored. As play developed the ball was moved out left and Ollie Clinch now back on his feet seized the opportunity and crashed over for the equalising score.

The home side were now playing the better rugby with the visitors constantly under pressure. Matt Botterman made an excellent break putting the visitors well and truly on the back foot. Crowborough however failed to turn the pressure into points with wayward passing, penalties conceded and generally poor decision making at crucial moments. Eventually they did get it right with a wonderfully executed backs move with Clinch at the heart of it. As the ball was moved wide so Charlton Park deliberately knocked the ball on preventing what many thought would be a try. The Park player saw yellow but the referee decided a penalty try was not justified. Justice was done after a series of pick and drives saw the excellent Will Creasy crash over for a try. With the conversion Crowborough were now 20-13 ahead.

This game was not over however with Charlton Park now taking control. With the clock ticking down they put attack after attack into motion with Crowborough defending as if their very lives depended on it. The defence held up but the scrum didn’t allowing Boyns to touch down for his second try. The conversion was missed. Bizarrely the game continued very deep into injury time with Park missing several kicks at goal. Eventually Crowborough’s defence managed to turn the ball over and the referee blew his whistle for full time. A good game with ‘Borough holding on for the 20-18 victory.

As the whistle went so man of the match Will Creasy was leaving the field with a dislocated elbow which is sure to keep him out for the rest of the season. This is a huge blow to Crowborough who welcome bottom placed Folkestone to Steel Cross tomorrow. Kick off 14:00