After Cranbrook opened strongly scoring two tries in the opening 20 minutes, another convincing victory looked possible, but Aylesford, aided by a few slight Cranbrook errors and a high penalty count against Cranbrook, came back strongly and Cranbrook had to work really hard to gain a valuable away win.
After 5 minutes, on an overcast day with a crosswind, a penalty kicked to 30 metres by Ollie Allman was from the lineout taken on by the forwards and Ken Magsico was able to dive over for his second try of the season. Aylesford did miss a penalty chance but generally Cranbrook were on top and a second try arrived after Ollie Allman made a break off loading to the supporting George Robertson to run in under the posts unopposed, Fabian Rimmer converting for 12-0.
Aylesford responded mainly by kicking for position and when the forwards took the ball on the influential No 8 was able to drive over for their opening score. Soon after Josh Curtis came on for the injured again Sam Depoel -Wood but another well judged kick to the left corner found their tall and speedy right wing competing for the bouncing ball and in a moment of controversy was awarded a score despite the Cranbrook touch judge indicating touch. The second quarter pattern of Aylesford finding good field position and Cranbrook conceding penalties continued and just before half time a penalty on the 22 was converted to put Aylesford ahead 13-12 at the break.
With renewed resolve after no doubt timely words from the coaches Cranbrook came out strongly, soon Josh Curtis made a clean break through the centre almost to the try line. Recycled ball was moved to the far right where Captain Hamish Gillanders was on on hand on the overlap to plunge over for 13-17.
The remainder of what seemed to the many Cranbrook supporters a very long half was played almost exclusively in the Cranbrook half of the field and too often for comfort within the 22. Soon our replacement prop was yellow carded meaning David Lock having to return to face a 5 metre scrum to Aylesford. There followed what was a tortuous period of play for Cranbrook where their resolve was fully tested. Despite the eveness of the scrums to date the referee saw fit to penalise Cranbrook 3 times for scrummage offences despite once seeming to be nudging forward. The last penalty was set further infield due to slippage and being a man short Cranbrook were now unable to defend the short side and Aylesford strolled over. To most peoples surprise the referee indicated a forward pass. The resulting Cranbrook scrum perhaps produced the best play of the day when Robertson passed from the steady scrum to Rimmer who surged over the gain line, quick support at the breakdown produced good ruck ball which Robertson passed back to Allman who had time to execute an excellent kick to touch approaching halfway.
Although Aylesford continued in the ascendancy, Cranbrook were only once under real try line pressure when another penalty against produced another kick to touch in the corner. Aylesford took the lineout ball and drove for the line but stout Cranbrook defence resisted well, finally turning over the ball which was cleared. More errors frustrated Cranbrook, as they tried to move up field, who played the last 10 minutes without the other prop who was carded, but the strong spirit of the team shone through with the staunch defensive performance which ultimately won the day.
Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.