Cranbrook backs excel in narrow win despite scrum difficulties.
On a lovely autumn day with little breeze, an again much changed Cranbrook team received the kick off defending the clubhouse end. Cranbrook ran the ball back effectively, something that was to be a decisive feature of the match, until an inside pass was spilled in midfield as a gap appeared. The first scrum was even and play continued to a lineout which Cranbrook lost, but were soon able to recover a loose ball setting left wing Jaob Isteed free, rounding his man and approaching the fullback an excellently timed pass inside to the supporting fly half Hugo Orpin put him in for an opportunist try, Orpin converting on 3 minutes.
From the kick off strong running centre Jed Westcott made 50 metres, but the move did not develop further as Crowborough regrouped.
They moved up the pitch in a quite different style to Cranbrook, favouring passing out of the tackle often inside to supporting forwards. No 8 Sam Shillabeer had to retire with a cut head, Bear Pearce substituting, but before he returned after bandaging, Cranbrook without him though were now beginning to struggle in the scrum and tryline pressure resulted. The defence was resolute for some minutes until a reset scrum was well controlled by the No8 for a convincing score, converted to tie the score on 16 minutes.
If the returning Shillabeer was welcome prop Chris Tomlin had to retire soon after, Sacha Jovanovic coming on in the 2nd row and Josh Forknall moving forward. More try line pressure occured with Cranbrook gaining a drop out when Crowborough were held up, they returned as Cranbrook were penalised for a ruck offence but more strong tackling led to Crowborough losing the ball forward as the line beckoned.
Eventually Cranbrook got some field position, just about won the scrum and Shillabeer managed to score from close range after good team ball retention on 32 minutes, converted by Orpin, then Shillabeer scored again with a strong surge from 12 metres after a lineout after the backs made ground, again converted. There was just time for a converted Crowborough penalty to make a halftime score of 21-10.
Into the second half the game became more fractious as the referee struggled to assert his authority, this was balanced by some precise spotting of forward passes, usually by Crowborough and often in prime attacking positions, something that went a long way to costing them the game, but credit should be given to the continuing tenacious tackling. The lineout also held up well with Josh Parkes, Jack Lamb and Captain Hamish Gillanders prominent, with precise throwing from hooker Josh Brambley.
Isteed had another good run up the wing as the backs continued to look threatening while only once did a Crowborough wing make much ground. Credit should also be given to young 18 year old scrum half Oscar Wookey, who under extreme scrum pressure managed to provide an accurate service to Orpin who was always keen to set his outside backs running. He looked less assured when occasionally kicking, but still managed some useful clearances.
Although Crowborough managed a score from another turned over scrum on 46 minutes, the game lost shape and pattern as tensions raised. Alex Cornwallis was carded as he took exception to a tackle situation where the opponent was also carded for careless use of the foot, closely followed by his scrum half for a high tackle. With a number advantage Westcott was able to round his man from distance and score by the posts, again converted after 60 minutes.
As Crowborough returned to the attack Cranbrook were penalised at a ruck which was kicked to 5 metres. When more strong defence turned over the ball, it looked ambitious to try to run the ball out from by the posts, but more precise passing set fullback Kaspar Bottle away around the outside on the left. What what so impressive was that his pace did not slacken as he scored with aplomb as he ran round towards the posts for another conversion and a seemingly match clinching try for 35-17 after 65 minutes.
With Bear Pearce replacing Shillabeer and Charlie Fowler replacing Cornwallis as he did not return after his yellow card, there was now a flare up by the coaching area that resulted in cards for Lamb and an opponent. Cranbrook continued to play their passing game, whilst Crowborough continued to play a closer style, and lost another chance with a forward pass, when at an attacking Crowborough scrum, they were penalised for early engagement, a misdirected Orpin cross kick was intercepted for a try near the posts on 75 minutes.
Crowborough continued to press but betrayed by more inaccuracy and also being held up only managed a score with the last play which gained them both a losing bonus and 4 try bonus point which they deserved.
The team was: 1 Miles Stockmam, 2 Josh Brambley, 3 Chris Tomlin, 4 Josh Forknall, 5 Josh Parkes, 6 Jack Lamb, 7 Hamish Gillanders Captain, 8 Sam Shillabeer, 9 Oscar Wookey, 10 Hugo Orpin, 11 Jacob Isteed, 12 Alex Cornwallis, 13 Jed Westcott, 14 Dillon Roberts, 15 Kaspar Bottle.
Replacements, 16 Sacha Jovanovic, 17 Bear Pearce, 18 Charlie Fowler.
Biddenden Vineyards man of the match was Oscar Wookey for his fine distribution whilst under extreme pressure.
Next week an interesting game at Knowle Paddock against Sevenoaks 2nds 3 00 PM