It was allegedly Benjamin Franklin who first said that “out of adversity comes opportunity” and after three consecutive losses; a burgeoning unavailability list; and the disappointing defection of two senior squad members, it would have taken the most optimistic of optimists to envision any change in their seasons direction, as 11th placed ‘Boro limped up to south London with a much changed makeshift side to take on joint league leaders Charlton Park.
The Crowborough faithful travelled to add their continued and undying support to their beleaguered side, and were to be rewarded with an outstanding performance that showed both character and commitment to the cause.
Crowborough’s defence has been quite exceptional in spite of their losses, and the tackles reigned in once more frustrating their hosts who threatened but failed to cross the whitewash. With ten minutes gone, a penalty was bizarrely awarded in favour of the home side, in what was to become a series of strange decisions that affected and frustrated both side throughout the match. The kick was successful. 3-0
Sadly at the restart Ollie Clinch at 10 was poleaxed in an ill judged head on head tackle, and forced to leave the field, with Lloyd Smith slotting into the vacated fly half position and reserve hooker Rob Horsfall-Turner taking up the vacated wing position. A penalty was awarded but an accompanied yellow card was strangely absent.
Crowborough had been here all too often this season, but rather than heads going down as in previous games, the visitors rallied, and with the inspired selection of captain Alex Purnell at 12, ( having already played at hooker and #8 this season now joining the illustrious ranks of the glory boys), taking the ball at speed , he carved exquisite running lines worthy of a veteran, slicing through the Park defence that forced them onto the back foot and in doing so setting up repeated attacking positions that the forwards clearly relished.
Running the ball deep into the park 22, resulted in a scrum ten metres out, where the ‘Boro pack forced the home side towards their own line with Will Creasey picking up to cross the line for a well worked score. The kick by Matt Buchner was pulled wide. 3-5.
Charlton Park are not at the top of the table for no reason, and stung by the temerity of the visitors to bully them over their line, they came back and with several pick and drives and crossed the line to score out wide on the right. The kick was missed. 8-3
Ten minutes later Park showed what their backs were capable of when they started a practised move that further developed with sublime support running that opened defensive gaps for the wing exploit and score an unconverted try that took the half time score to 13-5 with Crowborough still very much in the match, but where the next score would be crucial to either side.
That side proved to be ‘Boro, who had started the half in a buoyant and visually confident mood, switching from endless defence, to attack. Andy Orchard at 15 started several counter attacks, fielding clearance balls and cutting down the space at pace. The ball was quickly recycled and moved through the backs with each member committing the defence before off-loading, creating gaps to be exploited. Tom Boddy and Dave Bennett both came within a metre of the line before excellent Park defence came to their rescue. But with such a committed onslaught it seemed only a question of time before line would be crossed, and in a move where the ball passed through seven pairs of hands winger Matt Buchner crossed over for the try that temporarily silenced the home support. His own kick was missed. 13-10
With the momentum very much in ‘Boro's favour and the clock in the final 15 minutes, Crowborough racketed up the pressure, and once more with a scrum ten metres from the park line, the front five pressure kept the Park back row honest, allowing debutant Andrew Kidd to pick up and evade the final defender to score under the posts. The kick was successful and the silence of the home side support was complete. 13-17
Perhaps it was the proximity of the Greenwich Meridian but the final two minutes seemed interminable as the home side camped in the ‘Boro 22, knowing that only a try would be sufficient. From a scrum the official was deceived when he accused Richard Tasker of being erroneously responsible for pulling down the scrum five metres out and flourished a yellow card. From the short penalty the ‘Boro defence remained solid and resisted several pick and go’s. As the final “two” minutes stretched to six and several penalties later, Park shifted the ball to the left where they needed two attempts to cut through the defence, finally succeeding with a converted try that took the final score to 20-17.
Although ‘Boro got a losing bonus point they were within “two “minutes of a deserved win. This result, although a fourth loss has restored both the sides self-confidence and self-belief that they are able to mix it with the best the league has to offer, and with a genuine positive attitude surely a win cannot be far away .
This Saturday ‘Boro host Folkestone.