Despite a very early try and 3 more before half time, the increasingly strong Deal pack and a very good half back pairing brought them 2 second half tries, not enough to influence the result, but more than enough to concern the coaches and disappoint the good sized crowd, some of whom had been fortified by a very good lunch on an occasion put on for sponsors and volunteers.
Cranbrook kicked off on a balmy, sunny and almost windless late autumn day and the nice hanging kick by Ollie Allman was turned over for David Lock to make a break. When tackled a sumptuous off load to the supporting Sam Claassens-Dussek gave him a clear run to the line, barely 10 seconds had passed! Fabian Rimmer converted.
It was soon apparent that Cranbrook's backs were much more dangerous than their opponents, but Deal's pack was strong. The Deal scrum half was quick and prepared to disrupt when Cranbrook had the ball, which they had a reasonable amount of in the first half always making ground. Soon a second try came when fullback Theo Rimmer joined the line, receiving the ball at pace, about 15 metres out in centre field. His strength and ability to step was too much for Deal as he scored convincingly. The third try came from a piece of quick thinking by Fabian Rimmer who was on hand when Deal were penalised for a breakdown offence. He took a quick tap penalty and the unprepared Deal defence could not stop him as he went under the posts, converting for a 19-0 lead mid way through the half.
Perhaps the best try of the afternoon was the bonus point 4th. Quick ball from an attacking ruck was accurately moved wide at pace to provide Elliot Barbour with the score near the corner.
The Deal fly half was though becoming increasingly prominent. This former rugby league player was an accurate kicker, but also a particularly strong runner who could break tackles. He was to have a strong second half as Cranbrook' scrum went into reverse as prop David Lock was rested at the interval, the game seemingly won.
Cranbrook had come into the game with front row absentees as coaches Ben Williams and Josh Pankhurst made rare starts. On came Miles Stockman as replacement for Lock for his debut, and he was to have a torrid introduction to senior rugby. Deal had much more ball in the second half as Cranbrook struggled badly in the scrum. Apart from the sniping runs of the 9 and the strong running 10, Deal had little else outside so only slowly advanced up the pitch. Predictably their two tries, both converted, were forward generated. Cranbrook starved of ball still made ground on the relatively few occasions they had it, but also handling mistakes were made so that they were not able to add any more tries. Penalties were kicked to touch when perhaps a quick tap, setting the backs free might have been more productive.
There was some disappointment afterwards, but this should be put in perspective in that Cranbrook remain 7 wins from 7, that after gaining successive promotions.
Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.