Old Alleynians - 05th November 2022

Updated by: Admin - 08/11/2022

Cranbrook outplayed by OA's as winning run ends.

 

A difficult match on paper certainly turned out to be so as a vibrant performance from the home team saw off a determined effort from Cranbrook in a game that had all the intensity befitting a game between the two teams at the top of the league.

Cranbrook started the game well on a good pitch which had been slitted during the week, meaning the copious amount of recent rainfall was absorbed, just leaving it slippery. It was a slip which may have cost Cranbrook the opening try when the returning Guy Kennedy went down, enabling the cover defence to regroup.

Cranbrook did take the lead after 10 minutes when Fabian Rimmer converted a penalty from about 33 metres, repeating the success from a similar position a few minutes later for a 6-0 lead. OA's replied with a try in the left corner after several phases, which was expertly converted by the fullback.

There then was the first of a series of incidents that did not reflect well on the stature of the game of rugby. Fabian Rimmer made a long clearance that bounced into touch right beside me just inside the 22, meaning Cranbrook would have the throw. The unfenced pitch meant the home touch judge may have been unsighted, but he wrongly said the ball had gone directly into touch, so it became a home throw way back in the Cranbrook half. Whereas up to this point this well contested game had been fairly even in possession and territory as well as in scrum and lineout, OA's were beginning to demonstrate an increasingly effective method where forwards made ground with good offloading, releasing the backs who were fed by a good flyhalf who varied play intelligently. Cranbrook were now having less ball and were penalised several times for offside in the backs, amid it must be said by what appeared to be orchestrated appealing by the home coaches and supporters whom I stood amongst. How much effect this had on the ref it is hard to say, but to my mind it was unseemly, over the top behaviour and something that should not be tolerated. Two such penalties were converted from in front of the posts for a deserved 13 -6 half time lead, one when strangely Cranbrook chose to run the ball out from the try line rather than kicking and were turned over.

Cranbrook conceded another penalty at the start of the second half when not controlling their own ball from a forwards drive for another 3 points. Then Cranbrook provided their best move of the afternoon when going left, Lafferty got clear, chipped the fullback and appeared to be brought down as he followed his kick. Nothing, however, was given and soon Cranbrook conceded another penalty for a high tackle, converted for a 19-6 lead. Then an unnecessary yellow card was given to prop David Lock who fouled the fly half as he followed his chip through. OA's now killed the game off with an individual try from the large and rangy right wing who when not tackled at source had the ability and pace to score under the posts. Cranbrook responded well and as the forwards approached the try line, defenders were sucked in to stop the score, but Lafferty was released on the left wing to break a tackle and dive over.

OA's were now on top, and their tall lock was becoming increasingly influential in play, more than once catching at the lineout and breaking through, something Cranbrook will be disappointed about. Under this extreme pressure though hooker Josh Pankhurst was able to find his men at the lineout, in particular Jack Lamb who had a very strong game.

Cranbrook were further inconvenienced when their Captain Josh Curtis was knocked out, but after a delay he was able, with help, to walk from the pitch thanks to the alertness of our physio Russell who immediately recognised the seriousness of the incident and was able to stabilise the situation. Such was the severity of the impact that a visit to hospital for a scan was required. It should be noted that Cranbrook continued to play with great heart and spirit and had a couple of good phases, but also a couple too many of balls were kicked by scrum half George Robertson when perhaps the backs could have been fed. OA's scored a final try from a well-orchestrated forward drive following a scrum, again converted for a final score of 33-11.

Although not the hoped-for result, it should be said that in this league it is hard to get away wins, as amongst other reasons, some teams seem to get better availability when at home. Cranbrook emerge beaten but unbowed and although the pressure of the game and the conditions meant a few more mistakes than usual, Cranbrook were able to deny OA's the bonus point only conceding three tries and will doubtless look forward to the return fixture in the new year.

 

Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.

 

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