SLOW STARTING CRANBROOK NEARLY OVERTURN DEFICIT.
The much anticipated first match of the new season took Cranbrook to Heathfield, a team where the matches usually have a healthy edge to them, In contrast to the beginning of last season where pitches were rock hard, on a dull day conditions were good as Cranbrook kicked off down the slight slope.
Heathfield started the better scoring a converted try and long drop goal from a Cranbrook clearance. Cranbrook did begin to get some ball and scored after Fabian Rimmer made ground from a quickly taken penalty putting debutant wing Jacob Isteed clear to score in the left corner, the returning Ollie Allman converting well.
But two more tries in quick succession led to a 20-7 half time score and the commendable number of Cranbrook supporters perhaps thinking the worst.
Cranbrook started the second half better and were soon rewarded as Allman put over a penalty, then on 50 minutes some promising back play led to a second try for Isteed. Although Heathfield scored next to extend their lead, Cranbrook were giving a good account of themselves now and gained some good field positions in part due to the length of kicking by Rimmer.
When Isteed put in replacement Josh Forknall for a try after 68 minutes, converted by Allman, Cranbrook were within one score of the lead.
The chance for victory came in the last play as another debutant Jed Westcott broke clean through from deep, with good pace he just had the fullback to beat. Without support he elected to kick and chase, but the Heathfield fullback Simpson was quick to retrieve the rolling ball, neatly side stepping the onrushing Westcott, giving him time to clear to touch to end the game.
Coach Chris Catt although disapointed with the slow start, was greatly encouraged by much of what Cranbrook then did with a number of new players. Hooker Josh Brambley was man of the match not only due to his fine performance but also in recognition of his strong efforts in pre season.
The team was 1, M Stockman, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Bushell, 4 Sacha Jovanovic, 5 J Parkes, 6 D Houghton-Judge, 7 J Lamb, 8 S Shillabeer, 9 K Bottle, 10 O Allman, 11 J Isteed, 12 F Rimmer Captain, 13 J Westcott, 14 W Sellick, 15 Stefan Jovanovic
Replacements 16 J Forknall for Stockman 56 minutes,
17 D Roberts for Stefan J at halftime,
18 O Wookey for K Bottle 65 minutes,
Bottle came back on for Sellick 75mins.