BackSat 25 Sep 2021 · London 2 South East
Gravesend
1st XV
50
0
A very tough afternoon for Borough
Ian GEERING26 Sep 2021 - 08:48
On our first visit to Gravesend !
Crowborough travelled to Gravesend for the first time last Saturday, having added four more injuries the previous week, to an already long list of unavailability’s that is severely stretching the capabilities of the squad.
Crowborough really needed to get their season up and running, but visiting the second placed team would be a big ask.
For forty minutes there was little between the sides, with Gravesend doing the majority of attacking, whilst a stoic ‘Boro defence kept the bullying Gravesend pack at bay for frustrating long periods. However with five minutes gone, a scrum to ‘Boro in what was to become familiar territory, five metres from their line, resulted in a misdirected pass to Connor Hand, who in the act of trying to recover, unfortunately slipped, gifting the simple opportunity to the home sides flanker who was following up. The kick went surprisingly wide of the left hand upright .5-0
To add insult to injury, Andy Orchard, who had earlier chased a long speculative kick, had torn a groin muscle and left the field to join the growing queue outside the physio’s office!
Having demonstrated in the pre-match warm up some impressive and expansive backs support play, once the whistle went to start the game, the backs were once more reduced to bit players as they chased long kicks that were fielded by a grateful Gravesend back three to set up attacks that constantly challenged the ‘Boro defence.
With the half drawing to a close in a good imitation of close Springbok type play, the Gravesend pack put several pick and goes together, and as they crossed the line the official took several seconds to determine whether the ball had been held up before awarding the try which again went unconverted.10-0 This act saw Bertie Boast, who appeared to be carrying an injury leave the field with what appeared to be yet another pulled groin!
As the second half kicked off there was still all to play for, but if Crowborough were to get back on top it would be essential for the ‘Boro back division to wisely use any of the hard won ball that the forwards provided and test out the defensive quality of the home side’s back division, which for forty minutes had hardly had to make a tackle.
Sadly this was not to be. With just several minutes of the restart, Gravesend placed a well judged penalty kick deep into the ‘Boro 22. With Crowborough ambling back to the lineout, the Gravesend Hooker took a quick throw in to his prop who added five points before ‘Boro had even arrived at the lineout. The kick was successful 17-0.
This was the precursor of what was to become a miserable afternoon at the office, as a much rearranged back division, defended too narrowly, creating several overlap opportunities for the remainder of the half which Gravesend gladly accepted, and with two additional fortuitous bounces, the scoreboard continued to tick over, almost as fast as the minutes ticked by.
With fifteen minutes of the match left Connor Hand whose defensive work had been quite exemplary, was the subject of a questionable red card. With the Gravesend winger attacking out of defence, Connor Hand came across and tackled around the chest to prevent the off-load. In the split second of the tackle the winger slipped and in the act of falling Hands grasp momentarily touched the neck. Clearly there was no malice meant or intended, but equally, without the benefit of a TMO, there was not going to be any mitigating circumstances considered, and with the red card brandished, Hand left the field.
This final act exacerbated the rapid decline that followed, and at the final whistle Crowborough were on the wrong end of a 50-0 drubbing, leaving them propping up the table by way of an inferior points difference.
This Saturday Crowborough welcome 4th placed Beckenham to Steel Cross when it is to be hoped that the physios magic table has the desired effect!
Crowborough really needed to get their season up and running, but visiting the second placed team would be a big ask.
For forty minutes there was little between the sides, with Gravesend doing the majority of attacking, whilst a stoic ‘Boro defence kept the bullying Gravesend pack at bay for frustrating long periods. However with five minutes gone, a scrum to ‘Boro in what was to become familiar territory, five metres from their line, resulted in a misdirected pass to Connor Hand, who in the act of trying to recover, unfortunately slipped, gifting the simple opportunity to the home sides flanker who was following up. The kick went surprisingly wide of the left hand upright .5-0
To add insult to injury, Andy Orchard, who had earlier chased a long speculative kick, had torn a groin muscle and left the field to join the growing queue outside the physio’s office!
Having demonstrated in the pre-match warm up some impressive and expansive backs support play, once the whistle went to start the game, the backs were once more reduced to bit players as they chased long kicks that were fielded by a grateful Gravesend back three to set up attacks that constantly challenged the ‘Boro defence.
With the half drawing to a close in a good imitation of close Springbok type play, the Gravesend pack put several pick and goes together, and as they crossed the line the official took several seconds to determine whether the ball had been held up before awarding the try which again went unconverted.10-0 This act saw Bertie Boast, who appeared to be carrying an injury leave the field with what appeared to be yet another pulled groin!
As the second half kicked off there was still all to play for, but if Crowborough were to get back on top it would be essential for the ‘Boro back division to wisely use any of the hard won ball that the forwards provided and test out the defensive quality of the home side’s back division, which for forty minutes had hardly had to make a tackle.
Sadly this was not to be. With just several minutes of the restart, Gravesend placed a well judged penalty kick deep into the ‘Boro 22. With Crowborough ambling back to the lineout, the Gravesend Hooker took a quick throw in to his prop who added five points before ‘Boro had even arrived at the lineout. The kick was successful 17-0.
This was the precursor of what was to become a miserable afternoon at the office, as a much rearranged back division, defended too narrowly, creating several overlap opportunities for the remainder of the half which Gravesend gladly accepted, and with two additional fortuitous bounces, the scoreboard continued to tick over, almost as fast as the minutes ticked by.
With fifteen minutes of the match left Connor Hand whose defensive work had been quite exemplary, was the subject of a questionable red card. With the Gravesend winger attacking out of defence, Connor Hand came across and tackled around the chest to prevent the off-load. In the split second of the tackle the winger slipped and in the act of falling Hands grasp momentarily touched the neck. Clearly there was no malice meant or intended, but equally, without the benefit of a TMO, there was not going to be any mitigating circumstances considered, and with the red card brandished, Hand left the field.
This final act exacerbated the rapid decline that followed, and at the final whistle Crowborough were on the wrong end of a 50-0 drubbing, leaving them propping up the table by way of an inferior points difference.
This Saturday Crowborough welcome 4th placed Beckenham to Steel Cross when it is to be hoped that the physios magic table has the desired effect!
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