The final league game at Steel Cross was a cracker. The pitch now hard after a spell of dry weather was all set for a contest where no quarter was asked for, no quarter given. Two sides separated by only a point before kick off both giving their all, delivering some rugby of the highest quality, some rugby riddled with basic mistakes, a game where tackling was ferocious, and the result in doubt until the final whistle. The large and vociferous crowd having enjoyed an excellent pre-match lunch played their part too. Erudite analysis, and the banal, adding to the day’s enjoyment.
The early exchanges went the way of Crowborough with the visitors getting on the wrong side of the referee. Following a series of penalties deep in the Beccehamian half, Young Sam Marchesi tapped and went catching the visitors defence napping for the opening try. The extra points sailed wide, 5 – 0.
The try spurred Beccs into action with them using the ball well with backs and forwards looking lively. It was now the home side irritating the referee, and after a series of indiscretions Beccs found themselves 30 metres out in front of the posts. With the game only 10 minutes or so gone they opted for the points. The kick was successful. 5-3.
Straight from the resulting kick off Crowborough managed to turn the ball over and opted to spin it wide. Quick hands from Sam Marchesi to Jared Hermann and then a speculative pass out wide from Oscar Thatcher found the Beccs winger, George Wipka, lurking. He took the ball, turned and spun, and then cantered 55 metres for an interception try under the posts. With the conversion added the score had quickly become 5-10 to the visitors.
The game became a battle of the defences. Both sides used the ball well with both sets of backs looking pacy, and both sets of forwards willing to offload out of contact to keep the ball alive. The set piece was evenly contested making for an intriguing tactical battle. Beccehamian, who have been in fine form of late started to dominate and were rewarded with a well-deserved try. Following a period of intense pressure, the heroic home defensive line finally subsided with the visitors crashing over wide out for their second score. 5-15.
As was the nature of this enthralling encounter each score was met with a response. Crowborough playing some excellent 15 man rugby led by Dave Bennett, and Andy Kidd upfront and the Marchesi brothers in the backs keeping the opposition on their toes. ‘Borough went close after their period of possession deep in the Beccs half but one pass too many saw ‘Borough isolated. The ball was turned over and the pressure alleviated.
It wasn’t long before the boys from Steel Cross were on the front foot again. A Beccs error gifted the ball to Crowborough, and with sensible and accurate passing the ball found its way into the hands of Josh Jarvis wide out who then outpaced the scampering defence for the try. 10-15.
The game became a little attritional as both sides tried to break down each others defensive wall. The tackling was outstanding so both sides resorted to the arial game. After a period of what seemed aimless kicking Crowborough went ahead. Beccs sliced the ball wide into the waiting arms of Sam Marchesi. He galloped deep into the visitors half before releasing the supporting runners. It was the whipper-snapper Sam Skinner who latched onto the final pass for the score. The extra two points put Crowborough into the lead. 17-15.
The game ebbed and flowed with free-flowing open rugby but with the scoreboard being untroubled until close to half time. ‘Borough started to miss first-up tackles allowing Beccs to get deep into the home half. After a series of penalties being conceded, one of which saw Adam King having ten minutes on the ‘naughty step’ the visitors opted for an easy three points to take the lead. 17-18 at half time.
The second half started really scrappily with both sides now throwing wayward passes and failing to retain possession. The game was still entertaining with ambition winning over pragmatism. The play ebbed and flowed with neither side taking charge. It was the visitors who slowly started to win the at contact, keeping Crowborough’s defence on their toes. They still couldn’t break that defensive wall down so opted to extend the lead with a well struck penalty. ‘Borough now trailed 17-21 with time tick away.
The game again became an arm wrestle before a moment of brilliance from the home back line. Having not found a way through the Beccs’ defence the Steel Cross boys threw the ball around like the Harlem Globetrotters. Overhead, underhand, and a final lob pass and the ball found its way into the hands of Will Pitman. With many metres to go and defenders to beat it looked an impossible task. Pitman turned on the afterburners leaving the visitors defence in his wake for a score wide out. 22-21.
Two sides eager to win kept trying to play with ambition. As the sides tired so the accuracy of passing and ability to keep the ball in contact dipped, but it remained a thoroughly enjoyable, and tense affair. The visitors had the upper hand and kept ‘Borough under pressure. They missed two kicks at goal as the clock ticked on, and when opting to keep ball in hand couldn’t make their final passes stick. The home side stuck to their task, and with a little luck late on held on for the win and the five points.
Crowborough remain in 4th but need a single point out of the Canterbury II fixture in two weeks time, or for Beccehamians to get nothing out of their home fixture against Sevenoaks II to end the season in 4th.

A cracking game played in a great spirit, well refereed.