This Shepheard Neame Vase semi final was the third meeting of the two teams this season with honours starting even at one game all. Cranes were well aware that Hill would bring a very solid pack, their strength, with a back line more adept in defence than attack.
True to form the visiting forwards dominated the opening 15 minutes with Cranes struggling to hold their line, although early indications suggested that the home backs were more than capable of springing a surprise given a reasonable share of the ball. This they proceeded to do when Ruaridh McConnochie took the scoring pass after sweet inter passing between Chris Catt and Sam Depeol-Wood. He then added the points from a wide angle courtesy of an upright. Next, Alex Cornwallis breaking right from a pile up on Hill’s 22m line, outstretched his cover to touch down in the corner. No conversion, 12 – 0.
Hill always looked most dangerous at set plays in the home 22. Half an hour into the game they were able to convert this strength into points when a series of 5m scrums eventually cracked Cranes defensive efforts. A forward touch down wide out was unconverted, 12 – 5. When Cranes throw the ball about it’s a sight worth watching and this combined with some powerful tackling put the Hills backs under severe pressure forcing them to surrender the ball. Sam Depeol-Wood was on hand to scoop it up and dart in for Cranes third try. Another good conversion from McConnochie, 19 – 5. With time added on at the end of the first period, a penalty gave Hill the chance to get their big men back into the Cranes 22. A clean take in the line out, a powerful drive and Hill were over for their second score. No conversion, half time 19 – 10.
Cranes drove into the Shooters Hill 22 from the restart. Panic ensued and the home team were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts that McConnochie quickly dispatched. A series of quite unnecessary penalties allowed Hill to once again bring up their big guns within the Cranbrook 22. The home pack, strengthened at half time by bringing in James Corner at tight head, put up some stout resistance but were unable to thwart Hill from bludgeoning over for their third forward score. 22 – 15.
Once again Cranes were fast up on the restart forcing Hill to clear to touch well inside their own half. An infringement in the lineout, a quickly taken tap penalty and James McConnochie sliced through close to the posts. Brother Ruaridh did the necessary, 29 – 15.
Cranes now feeling over confident resorted to time wasting kicking tactics to absorb the remaining ten minutes of play. They paid the price of conceding a well taken score from the Shooters Hill backs, their only serious attack of the afternoon. Once again the Hill forwards had forced play deep into home territory where they were held up. The recycled ball was switched left where an unexpected, and possibly fortunate, flick pass between the legs found the supporting fullback who had a clear run to the left corner. Another failed conversion attempt followed by the final whistle.
The final will be against Brockleians at Medway on April 29th.
Match report by Mike McMinnies