Deal - 28th January 2023

Updated by: Admin - 31/01/2023

Cranbrook just fail to overcome high penalty count despite stirring comeback

 

The first of two consecutive trips to East Kent saw Cranbrook in Deal playing on the former Army Barracks ground in glorious sunny conditions with just a slight breeze across the pitch.

The first scrum went so conclusively the way of Cranbrook who took the ball against the head to gain a penalty, that there were high hopes of a successful afternoon. This though was soon dispelled as Deal settled quickly and in fact dominated the first half hour with a high energy performance featuring strong running forwards and centres alongside a skilful fly half who varied his game intelligently. Deal were making ground as they often broke the first tackle and Cranbrook were conceding penalties three of which were converted. Some good long clearances by Fabian Rimmer, again playing at 10, did not dispel the wave of attacks and Deal should have scored on the right wing but the scoring pass was dropped.

At last Cranbrook were retaining the ball and getting good field position and this pressure yielded a nice try as going left Josh Curtis threw a long pass to the unmarked Luke Lafferty who scored easily widish out, Rimmer missing the conversion. Unfortunately in the same phase of try line pressure, James Yeomans on the charge took a nasty blow to the elbow and was clearly in considerable pain, after a delay he was replaced by Tom Humphreys. 

It was now game on as Cranbrook had raised their game to cope with the slightly bigger Deal team, but the loss of Yeomans meant that they were now under pressure in the scrums whilst the lineouts were fairly even and Deal continued to edge the breakdown area. They were able to score a try just before half time when an unconverted score left them 14-5 ahead at the interval.

Into the second half when Cranbrook had a very slight slope in their favour it was Deal that scored next as the 10 scored a nice try from close range after a jinking run, also converting, and for good measure added another penalty for a commanding 24-5 lead. But there were some good signs for Cranbrook as hooker Kenny Magsico gained a turnover and so did flanker Hamish Gillanders as Cranbrook looked lively and gained field position. After some phases Magsico from close range with a good low body position had the strength to dive over near the right corner, impressively converted by Theo Rimmer who had just come on, 20 minutes remaining.

Magsico was now replaced at hooker by Josh Pankhurst and within seconds this change had paid off as the replacement took a ball about 30 metres out at pace, broke tackles and found himself clear. As the cover defence converged Pankhurst had the pace and strength to go over under the posts and ground the ball, despite attempts to hold him up, for a brilliant solo try, converted by Theo Rimmer.

It now seemed Deal were flagging and this was confirmed after a nice Cranbrook  move in the backs took them towards the left corner. Quickly recycled ball had the reformed backs calling for the ball as a double overlap appeared, as the Deal defence vainly sought to get back in position. Rory Goodger in the centre adroitly sidestepped a defender moving across, to score comfortably  under the posts again converted by Theo Rimmer. The ground was littered with several Deal bodies showing fatigue and disappointment as Cranbrook for the first time were now in the lead at 24-26 and 12 minutes remained.

From the kick off Cranbrook were again penalised at the breakdown and marched back 10 metres for backchat. For good measure No8 Louis Stone was carded. They were in danger of being pushed over their own line but chose to play Lafferty at No 8, rather than on the blindside wing, just about resisting the shove, then the follow up attempt to score on the vacant blind side. Pressure was eased as Deal ran into their own man, the Cranbrook scrum now having normal No 8 Josh Curtis in position. Anticipating a clearance kick Cranbrook instead made some metres up the pitch as the forwards were perhaps over ambitious and the move broke down. It was however still Cranbrook ball and a clearance kick would probably close out the game. As Cranbrook appeared  to get a nudge on for the first time in a while, the ref penalised them for dropping the scrum. The penalty was almost a formality being in front of the posts and within the 22, it was duly converted as Deal retook the lead. With only a couple of minutes left Cranbrook  were unable to conjure up anything and went down to a 27-26 defeat, despite scoring 4 tries to 2.

This was an excellent game played in good spirit and well controlled by a good referee. Cranbrook should be concerned about the high penalty count against, which including 5 successful kicks, must have been well into double figures. They will have been pleased though with the stirring comeback.

 

Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.

 

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