Cranbrook fielded a ponderous set of forwards who nevertheless proved more than a match for their OG opponents. The home backs were very lively including the two wing forwards drafted in for the day.
Cranes pressed from the off and within 5 minutes Callum Hall was up his wing in a flash following a cross kick, inducing his opposite number to fumble the ball. Support was on hand and the ball recycled to Alex Cornwallis, a flick out to Hall, a nifty side step, and he was over wide out. Chris Catt landed a monster conversion, 7 – 0.
A disputed penalty cost Cranes 10m bringing the kick within range of the posts. Well taken, 7 – 3. Ben Tomkinson, snatching the ball up on the halfway line eased through two half hearted OG tackles and then commenced a solo run in to ground wide on the left. Catt again put in a huge conversion but twisted his knee in the process. OGs made a few individual sorties into Cranbrook territory but these in the main petered out, and a series of lost tight scrums on their own put in, merely added to an air of despondency. Not improved when Cranes No8, Darren Griffiths, burst through from 30m to score another solo try. Half time 19 – 3.
The second period was pretty much more of the same with further Cranbrook tries from Sam Depoel Wood, Chris Catt and Sam Spencer. OGs did their best to make the score more respectable and a rare sally into home territory was well rewarded with a touch down between the posts. Final score 34 – 10.
The final league match this Saturday will be away to Vigo who are in the throws of one of their best seasons.
Match report by Mike McMinnies