The key rearranged relegation match against Thanet Wanderers, who would have gained confidence from a big win against Deal last week, took place in very heavy conditions where even the esteemed home pitch cut up slightly.
Thanet kicked off in dull occasionally drizzly conditions after a dry morning had allowed the worst of the rain to soak away, where wind was not much of a factor. After collecting the ball, it was fed to Fabian Rimmer to make the first clearance, he chose to put height on the ball and no Thanet defender took responsibility for it. This was something that set the tone for the match as it gained Cranbrook valuable ground and gave them confidence to express themselves.
In early play Cranbrook looked to their backs to make ground and only a knock on by Rimmer, in traffic, prevented an opening score. They were not to be denied for long as Elliot Barbour, who had a very busy game, made ground on the left, the recycled ball was moved to the far right where outside centre Jack Lewis found enough space to score near the corner, impressively converted in the conditions by Rimmer.
From the scuffed kick off, unsurprising in the conditions, an outstretched Thanet boot sent the ball forward midway into the 22. A fumble gave the visitors an attacking scrum, where after phases were defended a score resulted, the conversion attempt striking the post. Worse was to follow as a move in midfield showed hesitation and a Thanet centre was quick to intercept and run in unopposed by the posts for a simple conversion. After 10 minutes Thanet lead 7-12, without having to do too much.
The Cranbrook kick off did not go 10, which put Thanet from the scrum towards the 22, when Cranbrook were penalised. The penalty attempt hit the outside of the post and ran dead.
From the 22 dropout Cranbrook gained a scrum, which was fed to Rimmer who with a fine kick found touch about 35 metres out. When Thanet were called offside, backchat led to the penalty being advanced, Rimmer kicked to 5 metres and after phases, hooker Josh Pankhurst ran an unopposed line on the left wing to score by the posts, Rimmer converting. This was a fitting finale for this astute player who goes into a well-earned retirement as leading try scorer this season.
Cranbrook had just the better of the play to halftime, looking more dangerous out wide, despite losing Lewis Stone to injury, replaced by Guy Crouchman, whereas Thanet made best progress as one of their 2nd rows was able to break tackles sometimes. The lineout was something of a lottery as throwers struggled with the wet ball, whilst scrums showed no advantage either way, a feature of the game was the commitment to tackle, as Cranbrook had a bit more ball this reflected well on the Thanet XV, but the home team were also as good in what was turning out to be a very well contested game.
Into the second half as the pitch was showing a few signs of cutting up, Cranbrook showed promise but did not create much in this quarter, whilst a breakaway by Thanet looked likely to produce a try until flanker and Captain Hamish Gillanders produced an inspirational moment by covering a large distance back and across to make the smother tackle. Although Cornwallis was carded at the breakdown, Cranbrook raised their game to get through the ten minutes with reduced numbers comfortably, spending the time on the attack. Substitutions of Phil Catt at 10 for Stefan Jovanovic, the returning Cornwallis going to outside centre and Jack Lamb for lock Rory McDowell only added to the concerted effort. Another Rimmer kick through put Cranbrook in good position and after phases going right lock Toby Freeman found enough space to score, Rimmer again converting, as Cranbrook deservedly retook the lead after 63 minutes.
Cranbrook continued to press as James Yeomans executed a turnover, but the game changed as Thanet now lost a forward due to a high tackle on 70 minutes.
This seemed to unbalance the Thanet scrum as Cranbrook pushed them off their own ball 3 times in the remaining minutes. A penalty gave Cornwallis the chance to find the corner, but he miskicked. Then Rimmer had a long shot at goal from a muddy patch, in an attempt to close the game out but struck the post, the ball being collected and cleared.
Another scrum penalty near the sideline was now kicked to the corner. Perhaps with Thanet expecting a catch and drive against their reduced numbers, Cranbrook moved the ball into midfield where after resetting Freeman spotted a gap to joyously dive over for his second of the day on 75 minutes, for Cornwallis to convert and close the game out. Freeman, who has not been available as much as hoped, had his best game yet, being at the heart of much which Cranbrook did well.
Another scrum penalty put Cranbrook back on the attack but strangely did not appear to realise time was up and went infield. Encouraged by their vociferous supporters one prolonged last effort took Thanet close to the tryline on multiple occasions, but they could not find a way through as a fired-up Cranbrook defended well, denying Thanet a losing bonus point.
This was an enthralling match which Cranbrook deserved to win but to which Thanet contributed much. It was, I felt, well controlled by referee Mr Oliver Tyson, who made his decisions with clarity, though some from Thanet did not share this view.
Coach Chris Catt was delighted with the efforts of Cranbrook, mentioning his maturing team being able to take responsibility for making decisions, good commitment at training and team spirit.
The team was 1 J Yeomans, 2 J Pankhurst, 3 J Bushell, 4 R McDowell, 5 T Freeman, 6 B Pearce, 7 H Gillanders Captain, 8 L Stone, 9 O Addis, 10 A Cornwallis, 11 E Barbour, 12 F Rimmer, 13 J Lewis, 14 S Jovanovic, 15 O Chilvers, replacements G Crouchman for Stone 33 minutes, J Lamb for McDowell 55 mins and P Catt for Jovanovic 60 mins.
Match report by Philip Rimmer