Cranbrook 17 Vigo 22 - 03rd September 2011
Updated by: Peter Jovanovic - 07/09/2011
An excellent game from two very contrasting sides, which saw Cranbrook play with three brothers for the first time. Cranbrook provided the silky skills of a running game, Vigo supplied the beef and in the dying moments of the game this proved to be the winning factor.
Ruaridh, Jamie & Callum McConnochie
Cranes were given the space to run in the first period and should have had a twenty point lead at halftime. Instead elements of nervousness crept in and kickable penalty and a left wing try when the home team had a three man overlap, were squandered. Benny Buckle opened Cranes account on 30 mins after three home backs had played an “after you” passing game on the Vigo try line. Ruaridh McConnochie was then judged to have been unfairly tackled when chasing a high kick ahead and a penalty try was awarded, duly converted, 12 – 0.
The second period was a complete reversal of the first with Vigo determined to play to their strength, the pack, and to minimise the supply of ball to the always dangerous home backs.
As a spectacle the game suffered but Vigo won the tactical battle. Two pushover tries, aided to some extent by the Ref’s reduction of the home side to 13 men, brought the score back to 12 – 12. With their confidence visibly swelling, the visitors threw everything against the home pack who appeared increasingly frail. A try, unconverted, was forced over the home line and Vigo were in the lead 12 – 17 with 15 mins remaining. After a rare second half attack Sam Depoel-Wood wriggled over the Vigo line to get back on terms at 17 – 17. However with three minutes remaining the last word went to Vigo. A final scrum thrust into the home 22 resulted in yet another pushover try. Not pretty but effective, Cranbrook 17 Vigo 22.
Match report by Mike McMinnies