CRANBROOK DISAPOINT SO FALL TO A HEAVY DEFEAT.
After some promising play in the last match there were some hopes that Cranbrook would build on this, but in good playing conditions, visitors Beccehamians dominated from the beginning to send the home team to a resounding defeat.
From the outset the well organised visitors had more possession and territory. Cranbrook though were hampered due to an early injury requiring reshuffling in the backs. Despite their dominance Beccs did not score until 20 minutes had elapsed, when a short range and quick tap penalty enabled a converted score. A second try was scored soon after as a kick was successfully chased.
The only chance Cranbrook had was when awarded a penalty near the ten metre line. A kick towards the corner looked the best option, but instead the difficult looking kick to goal was attempted and missed.
With plenty of ball Beccs grew in confidence and ran in more tries, though aided by too many missed tackles which enabled them to get over the gain line too frequently. By halftime another 4 tries had been scored for a 0-36 score.
The second half went better for Cranbrook who seemed to have more energy and therefore more of the play, but Beccs scored 2 more tries to make a half century of points.
Cranbrook now got towards the tryline, but a tap penalty move went wrong. They retained field position though and when another penalty was kicked to 5 metres, a lineout drive enabled the deserving Chris Tomlin to score, Alex Segaert converting on 75 minutes.
From another penalty kicked to the opposite corner on the clubhouse side, Tomlin was very close to a second try, but was just forced into touch.
Beccs had the last word with a final try as the ball was run wide from a tapped penalty to complete a comprehensive win.
In a difficult season this was perhaps along with the home defeat to Park House, the most disappointing of performances. Cranbrook seemed to miss the leadership of the charismatic Captain Hamish Gillanders, and just did not get going in the first half. Although showing some spirit in the second half, there is clearly the need to reset at the lower level next season.
It seems most likely along with ourselves, Charlton Park and Ashford will also be relegated.
With the concession of the next match at champions elect Canterbury, just two home matches remain v Dover and Heathfield.
The team was: 1 J Foster, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Bushell, 4 M Stockman Capt, 5 J Parkes, 6 M Dale, 7 Sasha Jovanovic, 8 S Shillabeer, 9 O Wookey, 10 A Segaert, 11 Steffan Jovanovic, 12 A Cornwallis, 13 M Wookey, 14 J Thornton, 15 P Whittall.
Replacements all used, R Posey, C Tomlin, J Posey.