Cranbrook entertained bottom placed Charlton Park but lost in an ultimately disappointing performance in front of a large crowd, many having attended a fine Xmas lunch.
Conditions were difficult with an already heavy pitch further soaked by more morning rain, fortunately it cleared before kick-off but was replaced by a gusting wind down the ground which the visitors gained most benefit from as it was at its strongest in the first half.
Cranbrook were immediately on the attack as the wind bent the kick off from Fabian Rimmer back into the hands of the on-rushing Tom Humphreys, he made some ground and soon Charlton Park were penalised for Rimmer to kick to 5 metres. From the lineout play developed and when Park were further penalised at a ruck a quick tap from scrum half Oliver Addis enabled him to score by the posts for his debut first team try, Rimmer converting.
From the kick off the wind took the ball on as Park recovered possession Cranbrook conceded a penalty for a high tackle, after phases Park scored and converted.
In a lull of the wind Rimmer managed to find a deep kick off which was knocked on. A penalty was then awarded for going in at the side of a ruck which Rimmer kicked to 5 metres. From the lineout the prolific Josh Pankhurst was driven over towards the corner. Perhaps the most significant moment of the match now occurred as the long kick off was twice fumbled by the unfortunate Wilf Sellick in the very wet in goal area where the ball must have resembled a bar of soap! A fast player was up on him and also appeared to knock on whilst diving for the ball but was awarded the try which was converted for the lead at 12-14 after 15 minutes.
This was a disappointment as Cranbrook had edged the contest in the first quarter but were now in arrears. Handling when passing was generally secure but there was no real advantage through the match at the scrum or lineout. Both teams were tidy in looking after their ball as the game progressed and territory was also fairly even as the pitch held up very well. The ref Alex Smith from the London Society was fairly busy as both teams were penalised with a number of high tackles amongst other offences usually at the breakdown, but generally was firm and even handed under assessment. Park had a chance when the dangerous Raybe was fed but he knocked on. Cranbrook responded when an attack appeared to be ended by a deliberate knock on, this was not given but Park were penalised as a tackler did not roll away and Rimmer again kicked to 5 metres on the left. The lineout turned into being reset as a scrum and Rimmer at first receiver did really well to determinedly ground the ball for a try despite 3 robust tackles. Owen Chilvers converted from near to the posts as Rimmer took treatment to give Cranbrook the lead for the third time, a decent effort against the strengthening wind, and Charlton Park lost their strong prop to a card. Nevertheless, the visitors scrum half displayed a turn of pace and quick thinking to score from a tapped penalty to level the score at the interval.
The second half would it was hoped to be in favour of Cranbrook given their first half showing, but the wind subsided to a breeze. This was significant because Cranbrook were never quite able to find a prime attacking position as penalties given in midfield could not quite be kicked far enough into the corner. Park also had an efficient game plan that outplayed Cranbrook, featuring the aforementioned fleet footed scrum half, support players able to pass out of the tackle so that ground was made, and a respectable show of kicking by the fly half against the breeze, allied to strong tackling. Cranbrook showed no such ability with the ball in hand as the tackling of Park was stopping much progress as on occasion wrong options were taken. As such the ball rarely reached the wings and never in space so Cranbrook only had a marginal territorial advantage.
Mid way through the half Park had some good phases which took them toward the tryline and a score for the lead. Phil Catt had replaced the injured centre Jack Lewis soon after halftime and the returning Jack Lamb came on at flanker for Humphreys. Catt at fly half tried to get the backs moving but there did not seem to be much depth, so little was created, the best opportunity ended when an overhead pass by Catt was very well read and intercepted by his opposite number.
Finally, as the influential prop who was earlier carded had to retire injured, Cranbrook sensed their chance as Rimmer managed to kick a penalty to about 8 metres, the drive came close to scoring, but the ball was lost as Park gleefully kicked to touch to end the game.
This was a grievous defeat for the hosts in the relegation battle where these two teams and Thanet are becoming cut off at the bottom as 2 or even 3 teams will be relegated, due to at present the bottom teams in the league above are both Kent based.
At the halfway point of the season Cranbrook have improved to the extent of being able to take at least a point from 6 of the last 7 games, but a return of 2 points from the last 2 games is not good enough if relegation is to be avoided unless points can be gained unexpectedly. One such opportunity presents itself in the last game before Xmas away to Ashford next Sat at 2pm.
The team was 1 M Stockman, 2 J Pankhurst, 3 D Lock, 4 T Hamplett, 5 T Freeman, 6 T Humphreys, 7 H Gillanders, Captain, 8 G Crouchman, 9 O Addis, 10 O Chilvers, 11 W Sellick, 12 F Rimmer, 13 J Lewis, 14 E Barbour, 15 A Cornwallis. Subs P Catt for Lewis 45 mins with Chilvers to 15 and Cornwallis to 13. J Lamb for Humphreys 55 mins.
Match report by Philip Rimmer