After another slow start and soon finding themselves 17-0 down, Cranbrook responded admirably to play some fine rugby to win a 4th away match, but the first by a convincing and well deserved scoreline.
On a dry but dull day with a slight crosswind Cranbrook soon found themselves behind as a well-controlled forwards drive from a lineout saw Thanet driving down the slope on that part of an otherwise fairly level ground to score relatively easily. They were to repeat the process for a third try and also scored after an interception got them towards the try line to score again from close range for the second to leave Cranbrook 17-0 down with only 25 minutes played.
Cranbrook had seen little of the ball at this point the only highlight being a fine long clearance kick by Elliott Barbour, but aided by the Thanet hooker being carded, responded quickly with a nicely conceived try and another before half time, both converted by Theo Rimmer, leaving only a three point deficit at the interval. George Robertson scored the first after a fine break up the left wing by Beau Archer, supported by Kenny Magsico, left Robinson free, and Josh Pankhurst the second after a clever 5 metre tap penalty from Josh Curtis who spun round to pass to Pankhurst when the defence thought he was going the other way. So it was a close halftime score of 17-14, where there was no particular advantage to either team in the scrums, lineouts or loose, after the early Thanet storm had subsided.
With the slight slope and cross breeze now favouring the visitors, there was strong hope amongst the small gathering of Cranbrook supporters amongst a decent sized crowd that the visitors would be able to play their favoured fast game on the firm pitch. They were rewarded by a vibrant showing from the Cranbrook backs in particular, thanks to the plentiful quick ball provided by the pack. At the beginning of the half a missed penalty to touch invited Thanet pressure but Cranbrook cleared their lines without alarm. Soon Rory Goodger made a nice run towards the bottom left corner. A penalty followed and was tapped to Tom Humphreys who had the strength to score. Thanet responded when after phases a gap appeared around the fringe for a home forward to exploit and put Thanet back in the lead at 24-21.
Although he did not score wing Beau Archer made several penetrating runs through the game as Cranbrook were now playing their favoured fast and wide game. One such run put him clear and he drew the last defender passing to Captain Josh Curtis who had made much ground to take the pass and score under the posts for Cranbrook to retake the lead halfway through the half.
Probably the 5th and game clinching try came after 75minutes when returning fly half Alex Cornwallis took the ball on from the 22, regaining his feet after slipping he engaged the last defender who he ran through to score. Thanet did have some pressure and Cranbrook second row Tom Hamplett received a yellow card. But this came to nothing as the rejigged Cranbrook pack won scum ball. The icing on the cake was provided by a sumptuous individual score in the last minute by Theo Rimmer, collecting more quickly recycled and distributed ball just inside his 22, his pace took him clear and his skill enabled him to evade the fullback untouched. The covering wingers were converging but he had the fitness to find the try line halfway out. He did however understandably miss the conversion, for his only failure of the afternoon.
After the narrow and frustrating loss at Deal last week, it was pleasant to witness such a strong response today, only marred by a hamstring injury to prop David Lock. I would particularly mention the positive effect that Cornwallis playing at flyhalf has on those around him as he returned to the team today.
Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.