CRANBROOK GAME MANAGEMENT VITAL IN TIGHT MATCH
Cranbrook welcomed their nearest neighbours in the division to the Tomlin ground, the large crowd were to see a narrow victory for the home side as they fought hard to keep the opposition out after gaining the lead again late in the first half.
Cranbrook kicked off playing towards the clubhouse on a pitch in perfect condition, but Ashford had most of the early ball without looking particularly threatening. The very slight wind also favoured them, but when Cranbrook got the ball they were able to gain field position. When the Ashford scrum half interfered with ball before it had come out of the Cranbrook scrum and was penalised, argument saw the penalty advanced 10 metres enabling returning fly half Ollie Allman to slot a comfortable kick from 22 metres.
Early play favoured Cranbrook as Fabian Rimmer gained two turnovers in quick succession the second of which produced a penalty kicked to 5 metres on the right. The lineout was won and the ball was confidently moved down the line to wing Jacob Isteed who was able to round his man and score running round towards the posts for Allman to convert after 10 minutes.
Ashford replied quickly as a good kick took them towards the corner. Cranbrook were completely flummoxed by a slick front of the line out move which produced an unopposed score in the corner, superbly converted.
Sam Shillabeer had to retire with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Josh Foknall soon after, as Ashford made some ground by use of strong running forwards then using the breeze to kick towards the corner. This enabled another score towards the corner after 23 minutes and was fair reflection of the game at this point as the visitors scrum and lineout were both efficient. It was added to shortly after as Cranbrook were penalised at a scrum to enable an easy 3 points after 30 minutes.
From the kick off Cranbrook gained field position and scored what turned out to be the decisive try, when from quick phase ball normally Cranbrook had looked to go wide but on this occasion Rimmer chose to step his opponent, then another, for the supporting centre Jed Westcott to run in unopposed, and Allman to again convert as Cranbrook went into half time with a slender 17 - 15 lead.
Interestingly at half time coach Chris Catt did not spend much time with the team, saying he was happy with the team performance other than energy levels.
Into the second half Allman managed the first of several good clearance kicks but in phases Ashford got back in position. A clearance kick was charged down and from the Cranbrook lineout tapped ball had to be touched down in goal by a defender.
From the close range Ashford lineout another move drew a strong tackle by the returning wing Elliot Barbour which was penalised, the referee Mr Simon Bingham chose to give a lengthy final warning to Captain Hamish Gillanders perhaps as it was a first offence for Barbour, as Ashford prepared to kick to touch again. They managed to mess up the lineout as Cranbrook gleefully cleared up, Allman again clearing well. They were never to come as close again as an energised Cranbrook now had the better of the game, notably the lineout secured good ball as good throws to the tail by hooker
Josh Brambley to the leaping but unmarked Sacha Jovanovic produced much good ball. Allman produced a couple of excellent kicks which on the breeze bounced into touch well into Ashford territory, and as the game progressed and one or two prominent Ashford players appeared to tire, Allman became the dominant figure, his accurate kicks ensuring Cranbrook spent most of the time in Ashford territory, including slotting another penalty mid way through the half.
On the rare occasions Ashford made good progress they were twice undone by lineout mistakes as Cranbrook closed the game out with a degree of comfort. After Cranbrook phases Ashford were penalised and Allman had had one last shot at the posts from 35 metres. The ball just slid past the post for his only miss of the day as the referee blew for full time, Ashford thereby retaining the losing bonus point.
In an interesting chat with Chris Catt after, he mentioned the maturing team leaders being able to make and transmit decisions to the team, which today showed in the form of good game management providing a win which might have been beyond us last season.
The Biddenden Vineyard Man of the Match was Josh Forknall for his big impact and energy coming off the bench. Debuts were made by Barnaby Webster at fullback and Henry Overy and Will Harrison as replacements.
The team was 1 T Humphries, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Yeomans, 4 S Jovanovic, 5 J Lamb 6 R McDowell, 7 H Gillanders Captain, 8 S Shillabeer, 9 O Wookey, 10 O Allman, 11 J Isteed, 12 F Rimmer, 13 J Westcott, 14 E Barbour, 15 B Webster.
Replacements 16 H Overy for McDowell at H/T, 17 J Forknall for Shillabeer 30 mins, 18 W Harrison for B Webster at H/T.
After a rest weekend the XV return to action at Charlton Park on 12th October at 3pm.