CRANBROOK CLOSE TO MORALE BOOSTING WIN.
After the disappointing performance and result at Ashford last week, another opportunity against a struggling side presented itself on a pleasant late winter day with some sun, no noticeable wind but a very heavy pitch due to plentiful Friday rain, which left the surrounds somewhat challenging for spectators. As usual the pitch stood up well but suited the bigger players and Cranbrook were stronger than usual in that regard today.
Cranbrook aided by some penalties had early territory and soon scored as the returning Fabian Rimmer took a crash ball to go over the line near to the posts in characteristic style, for good measure converting.
The game settled down so that play was quite even, Cranbrook tackling was noticeable secure in midfield which encouraged the skilful Deal outside half, Best, to loop around and feed long flat passes towards the wing throughout the game which Cranbrook also dealt with but with much more difficulty.
Deal were still conceding more penalties and one such was kicked towards the corner but was ruled as touch in goal. From the next scrum a ruck ensued and pressure from Rimmer resulted in the visitors being penalised for non release of the ball, presenting a straightforward penalty opportunity in field on the 22, which he took for a 10 - 0 lead on 20 minutes.
Deal now had some territory and tryline pressure, well defended by Cranbrook, a penalty eventually ensued and after phases a switch pass put the Deal wing over towards the right corner, well converted on 27 minutes.
A 50 - 22 from Rimmer now put Cranbrook in a promising position, but from the lineout again won by Sacha Jovanovic, a knock on occurred. Back came Deal and more good defence by Cranbrook meant the scoreline remained unaltered at 10 - 7 at half time, which reflected the even nature of the game. Cranbrook were noticeably stronger in the scrum than in most games although still under some pressure to retain their own ball. A reaarrangement had to take place at the interval as Bushell had to withdraw being replaced by the evergreen Chris Tomlin, with Tom Humphries going to hooker.
Early play in the second half slightly favoured Deal who had some robust forwards, but Cranbrook then had some phases culminating in a score for Captain Hamish Gillanders who picked up loose ball at the side of the ruck in the 22, made ground and adroitly side stepped the fullback to score an opportunist try by the posts for centre Alex Cornwallis to convert and restore a 10 point lead after 55 minutes.
It was crucial for Cranbrook to continue to resist Deal pressure as they tired on the heavy pitch, but the penalty count against them mounted in the second half, wing Steffan Jovanovic did well to make a catch on the retreat and kicked after making ground, but offside was given as Cranbrook forwards had not retreated. This looked harsh as the kick was of decent length. After 65 minutes a penalty again resulted in a comfortable kick for the Deal flyhalf, but Cranbrook continued to defend doggedly until a key moment occurred on 70 minutes. From a ruck about 40 metres from the home tryline, no danger appeared but as the ruck was lost before Cranbrook could reset the guards, the visiting No8 was quick to spot a gap at the side of the ruck to speed away untouched for a converted try to tie the score after 70 minutes at 17 - 17.
As Cranbrook got some possession from a lineout they were again given offside as Rimmer kicked, the resulting penalty took play to the home 22. Cranbrook were again penalised, enabling a successful kick and for the first time in the match Deal were leading with only 4 minutes remaining.
There was still time for a moment of controversy as Rimmer's long kickoff was taken beside the touchline just inside the 22, but the receiver stepped back on catching for touch to be given. For some reason after discussion with the home Touch Judge, the referee decided that the ball was direct to touch so called a scrum on half way.
Any chance of producing a winning score from an attacking lineout was at this point lost as Deal retained the ball at the scrum and fulltime was called shortly after.
This though had been an enjoyable match where ball handling of both teams was secure, and where the returning bulk of Rimmer, Iles and Tomlin had enabled Cranbrook to have close to parity in ball and territory. A vibrant performance had nearly chisselled out a rare win, which would have probably occurred but for the mistake guarding a ruck.
The team was 1 M Stockman, 2 J Brambley, 3 J Foster, 4 Sacha Jovanovic, 5 M Iles, 6 T Humphreys, 7 J Posey, 8 H Gillanders Captain, 9 O Wookey, 10 T Johnson, 11 Steffan Jovanovic, 12 F Rimmer, 13 A Cornwallis, 14 J Thornton, 15 R O'Keefe.
Replacements C Tomlin for Humphreys 35 mins, Humphreys for Brambley at halftime, Gillanders to 6, Tomlin to 8. R Posey for Johnson 60 mins, J Saunders not used.
The Biddenden Vineyard man of the match went to a deserving Ollie Wookey, who at scrum half had got the ball out well when under pressure and made some telling tackles.
Next week the team are at Home to Charlton Park, who again conceeded today, as such they are the only team below Cranbrook in the table. Could this be the chance to see a rare victory? Kick off is again at 1400 at the Tomlin ground.