Park House too precise for misfiring Cranbrook.
Cranbrook entertained newly promoted Park House and were well beaten by a team that were competent and accurate in all repects, whilst Cranbrook despite an improved pack performance particularly at the scrummage, made too many mistakes in the backs against a strong tackling opposition.
Conditions were good after morning rain with sun and little breeze, although the surface and ball remained wet.
Park House had the best of early play and immediately demonstrated a pleasing ability to offload which kept forward momentum. Cranbrook looked to move the ball wide, making some headway but the slippery ball was too often turned over against secure tackling.
Park House had an early penalty attempt from 35 metres come back off the post, but opened the scoring after 10 minutes in similiar fashion. They scored a first try towards the corner after good passing, but disappointingly week tackling after 15 minutes, adding a second on 22 minutes and a third after 38 minutes. Park House were playing with confidence and energy and had more of the play, but when defending managed some long and accurate clearances.
Cranbrook were able to put up an improved scrummage performance with debutant prop Joseph Foster, making a big impact enabling No 8 Louis Stone to make a number of collections at the scrum base to sometimes make good ground. The lineout was also secure with good throwing by Josh Brambley with well coordinated variation to the three jumpers against some taller opponents. Nevertheless a half time score of 0 -22 was a fair relection of the game.
The second half did not start well for Cranbrook as Louis Stone was carded for a high tackle, and a further try was conceded. But there were signs Cranbrook were coming more into the game as a number of attacks gained territory but no real chances created as tackling remained secure.
Eventually Parh House broke clear as a pass was intercepted ,as Cranbrook tried to move the ball without depth. Although the interceptor was valiantly brought down a further triy was soon scored.
Heartingly Cranbrook had their best phases of play in the last quarter of the match, where they came close to scoring with repeated attacks. Of note was a clean break by the combative scrum half Ollie Wookey and wing Elliot Barbour was busy making ground on a couple of occasions, but a score would not come, as again Alex Cornwallis was carded for dissent.
This was a salutary lesson for Cranbrook albeit against an accomplished team, Again an early try was conceded partly due to poor tackling, laudable though Cranbrook were in trying to run the ball, it was clear that the visitors timing of the pass was better than that of Cranbrook who were too often made to spill ball in contact. Therefore until the last quarter, they were not in the attacking half enough.
In addition to those mentioned it should be noted that substitutions today improved performance with Daryl Horton -Judge in particular to the fore.
The Biddenden Vineyard sponsored man of the match award was given to Sacha Jovanovic, as ever imperious in the lineout.
The match next week is away to Deal and Betteshanger, who are one place and one point above us, so a close match is in prospect.
The team was: 1, T Humphreys, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Foster, 4 S Jovanovic, 5 T Hamphlett, 6 H Overy, 7 H Gillanders Captain, 8 L Stone, 9 O Wookey, 10 A Cornwallis, 11 E Barbour, 12 C Fowler, 13 J Westcott, 14, J Isteed, 15 W Harrison.
Replacements: all used, D Horton-Judge , J Parkes, B Webster.