CRANBROOK FIGHT BACK TO GAIN BONUS POINT AGAINST ACCOMLISHED BROMLEY
A visit to Hayes to take on high riding Bromley, whom Cranbrook have not beaten in recent years, is a daunting task. On a reasonable late winter day, without sun, breeze or rain, playing conditions on the short cut grass of the cricket outfield suggested a running game, this indeed occured with nearly 100 points scored.
It is usually advantageous to play down the slight slope and Bromley kicked off with this in their favour. After 35 minutes or so Bromley had duly dominated to the extent of a 43-0 lead with 7 tries.
It would be true to say that in some respects Cranbrook were the architect of their own difficulties with the odd misplaced kick or missed tackle, but it would be truer to highlight the quality and variety in the play of the home team, who intelligently varied their plays to create openings. Although scrums were in the main fairly even, Bromley had the edge in the lineout, so gaining more ball with which to express themselves, tries coming at regular intervals.
The Cranbrook revival was started by a fine turnover in midfield by Sacha Jovanovic. This led to field position by means of a penalty to 25 metres, then after some well controlled phases another penalty was awarded and accurately kicked to the corner. More well controlled phases enabled returning prop Yeomans to score and Alex Segaert to convert, for a 43 -7 halftime score.
Cranbrook had some good field position at the start of the second half, aided by two long and accurate penalty kicks to touch by Segaert. But it was Bromley who scored next after some more quality passing. They then got back on the attack as a kick through bounced awkwardly, but Cranbrook did well to hold them up.
Cranbrook then got back on the attack from another long Segaert penalty, after phases a nice move produced an inside pass for centre Hamish Gillanders to arc through to the tryline, Segaert converting. This put the Captain on the try scorers list for the third consecutive game.
Although Bromley scored a soft try because of missed tackles, it was noticeable that Cranbrook, coming down the slope were beginning to time their passes and look threatening. A great run from Charlie Fowler put Cranbrook on the attack but a dropped pass ended that attack, then Gillanders chased and turned over a clearance. The penalty kick towards the corner produced lineout ball which Segaert at fly half took to the tryline showing a neat step and strength, converting also.
Bromley scored next again as tackles were missed, but back came Cranbrook, and as a lineout drive was held, Miles Stockman picked up the presented ball to dive over, Segaert again converting for the bonus point fourth try on 77 minutes.
Cranbrook were not yet done, as Yeomans made some metres from near the defensive line, support from Brambley and good passing drew an overlap on the left, No 8 Shillabeer drew the fullback and precisely passed to left wing Steffan Jovanovic for the run in.
So closed the game with Cranbrook winning the second half by 4 tries to three and demonstrating a strong team spirit yet again and in particular also some very pleasing passing.
The team was 1 J Yeomans, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Bushell, 4 M Stockman, J Parkes, 6 J Fowler, 7 Sacha Jovanovic, 8 S Shillabeer, 9 O Wookey, 10 A Segaert, 11 Steffan Jovanovic, 12 C Fowler, 13 H Gillanders Capt, 14 J Thornton, 15 R O'Keefe.
Subs 57mins P Whitall for C Fowler, 60mins M Dale for J Fowler, 65mins D Martin for J Bushell.