Cranbrook travelled with a couple of South African newcomers who helped them to so much possession that a 40 point win would not have been unreasonable. Three tries were scored but a further four of five were not taken due to inadequate finishing, and it must be said, some brave NAG defence.
The home side had a solid pack that possibly had the edge in the set pieces, outside the set scrums they had little to offer.
After 20 minutes sparring, a rolling maul 30m from the home line sucked the NAG defence into the centre of the pitch. Cranes scrum half Hilio De Abreu flicked the ball wide left and Hamish Startin eased through to score in the corner. Hilio De Abreu added the points with a prodigious conversion from the touch line, 0 – 7. Within five minutes Will Orpwood scooped the ball up on the home 22, bounced through two attempted tackles, to get over in the right corner. The conversion inched wide, half time
0 – 12.
The second period was one sided with Cranbrook camped on the NAG goal line for long periods. Startin went over for his second score ( unconverted ) but this proved to be Cranbrook’s only second half success. The home side defended with passion but nevertheless Cranes difficulty in turning possession into points is worrying for coach Graham Arkley.
Match report by Mike McMinnies.