This season Cranes performance has swung between the sublime and the distinctly indifferent. Saturdays game was an
example of all the positives that Cranbrook are capable of and Whitstable simply had no answers.
The home side started as they meant to continue, pressurising Whitstable with quality recycled ball which was then flicked down the line to the wingers, both of whom impressed. Hamish Startin opened the score with a 30m penalty after eight minutes but the visitors defended gamely for the next quarter before Sam Depoel-Wood stepped through two tackles to run in between the sticks. Startin added the points.
Cranbrook’s lighter pack had a good game against their heavier, but less mobile opponents. Several balls were snatched against the head in the tight scrums and the sight of Whitstable being pushed off their own ball was a rare spectacle for the home crowd. Excellent forward cohesion saw the Cranbrook pack drive deep into the Whitstable 22. Two 5m scrums were held up before Harry Skinner picked up and went over in the left corner. No conversion, half time 15 – 0.
Scrum half Callum McConnochie combined well all afternoon with Chris Catt standing well back at fly half feeding Startin and Depoel-Wood in the centre who never failed to make ground.
McConnochie opened the second half campaign with a typically cheeky break from the base of the scrum 45m out. Skipping through a forest of grasping hands he eased away from his cover to ground between the posts. Startin converting.
Skipper Dave Anthony was then rewarded for great work leading the pack, scoring in the right corner. Next, a tactical penalty allowed a home throw in on the 5m line. A short throw was palmed down to Alex Behling who was round the front of the line to touch down before Whitstable knew what was happening.
The final score was a classic left wing try from Gabe Harrison. Receiving the ball with very little space to manoeuvre, he wriggled through two attempted cover tackles leaving a 30m sprint to the corner.
A pleasing team effort from Cranes.
Match report by Mike McMinnies