Cranleigh U15’s Crowned Quins Cup Champions

Roll up roll up…

It was the day we had all been waiting for. The big final and could we get that monkey of our back? 

Could a highly talented Cranes team finally fulfil all their potential and finish another strong season with a cup? 

We were up against Sutton & Epson at the impressive sports facilities of Farnham in dry but cool and breezy conditions with a firm pitch. Perhaps good for our speedsters? 

An impressive top floor terrace overlooking the grounds served good Guinness and the supporters stayed in the bar till the last minute to avoid the wind. When we got down for the big match we found Nigel looking like he may join the game and was supporting an impressive ‘Peaky Blinders’ look. 

There was a steely resolve and meticulous preparation from our amazing coaches with chat about war cries, famous Lion’s speeches (do watch that one) and even Russ warning parents their little babies may not even play if the game was tight as we had to have the strongest team on (quiet gasps from the Mum’s and competitive Dad’s!). We had a full squad with the exception of Oscar H who was supporting Thandi in the London marathon for an amazing cause (Sarcoma and Team Cazza Shere – donations on the W-Ap all!). Oscar H already gets a complimentary try that he would have definitely scored!

Kick off and a nice run by Matt Matt and the Cranes showed their intent to run the ball with nice moves down the line with Will S and Oscar D. Rory started well and captain Hugo seemed to be everywhere. The opposition came back at us with some strong running and a long kick helped by the strong wind, but they picked up the wrong guy in Oscar D who did a silky 50 metre run back to their line. The ball was recycled, and Oscar D was back on the ball from deep and try scored. Good effort at a long kick from Rory which just missed. 5-0. A perfect start!

Kick off and the opposition had some possession, but with a strong tackle from Henry and a good rip from Rory we were back in the right part of the pitch. The crowed was really in great voice and larger than ever, parents, grandparents, mates and even some new girlfriends (for the players that is…!) 

However, despite our pressure the opposition were certainly not going to be a push over, their pre-match war cry “we are better than these guys chat” had us nervous. Also, the strong wind at their back helped and our clearance kick didn’t make any distance giving away a penalty. A perfect kick for the corner, driving maul and a pop to their large centre who broke through and scored. Kick missed. 5-5 and it was game on.

Whilst behind the post Russ gave the boys a proper hair dryer – the most animated I’ve seen him with some proper Shayler muscle!  It did the trick, and we came back at them strongly with some great tackles from Zac and Carlo. Dom running strongly who set up Matt Matt for a lovely run. Any parents still hiding out on the bar terrace had a ball kicked up at them to put them off their Guinness’s. Some more lovely running from Luc who took a high ball and ran it back to the corner, a nice interchange with Rory, ball back to Luc who scored a lovely try in the corner. M-Dogg’s cheers and “yes my boy” could be heard even above the lady’s screams! Another tricky kick missed 10-5.

Kick off and you could tell the confidence was running high as we ran the ball from our own goal line to the halfway with Zac, Dante and Rolls Royce Bert running great lines. However, we tried one pass too many and an interception from the opposition looked like they were in for a try but a last-minute try saving tackle from Will S denied them. Other large tackles by Henry, Hugo and Carlo kept them out. Dom did a great rip and run and Joseph was also on good form knocking players flying. We were under the cosh but suddenly another turnover by our great jackellers and quick as a flash we attacked down the blind side. A couple of great hands and Bert had a foot race against their second row and there was only going to be one winner there!! A 50-metre run and a score under the post. An easy kick converted, and the scoreboard looked great for a close game at halftime. That score against the run of play really was superb – possibly the key moment. 17-05.  

Halftime oranges and the sun was out, we were feeling positive with the wind behind us. This was to show straight from the kick off with Hugo almost running all the way around the side to score until a last-ditch tackle (and a ‘oh bugger’ from Sheila!). Nigel the photographer managed to get the run-on camera and was also sporting an impressive ‘Peaky Blinder’ look. Back to the action and the ball was recycled with some great work by Jack and quickly back to Oscar D who scored. Tricky kick missed – 24-05 and we had some breathing space. 

With the score looking healthy Russ was able to bring all our ‘little (almost 6ft pushing 13 stone) babies’ on! 

We were beginning to show our class with Bert running straight back at them after the kick off and Rory linking up with him. Zack made a great run down the middle knocking people down and passed onto Zac who showed some great pace to score. Another close kick just missed by Rory. 29-05.

Loken had a great run from the kick off and almost scored – the cry from Annelise could be heard up at the bar! Dom made another great run and was just held up over the line. More good work from the scrum with Joseph taking a bang on the head for his troubles. He brushed himself off and proceeded to make the biggest hit of the day against someone even larger than him. The Godzilla vs King Kong was the analogy back in the bar, the hit was even heard by the Grandparents in the bar with their hearing aids off. Jozilla won the contest (not too late to change the tour Hoddie name?!). Back to the action and a great run by Dante who passed to Oscar D to score another! Another tricky kick missed. 34-5

The festival was in full swing, and it was the speedy men who had their fun again with Dante who was as back at scrum half feeding Rory for a nice run. Logan was on and made a good break before getting the ball back to Will who glided through the line for yet another score. Easy kick in front of the posts nailed by Rory 41-05. 

After the next kick off a scrap broke out and Tarek was on waving the touchline judge flag like a light sabre to break them up. The opposition were truly rattled now and from yet another stolen scrum it was yet another try. Another silky run by Oscar D, good presentation for Matt Matt to pick up who barged through a few players to score under the posts. Easy kick again 48-05.

Carlo was next to get in the action with a barnstorming run until he was well tackled by their diminutive scrum half who then picked up the ball and made a nice run. Zac, who was now on the bench, showed his frustration that no one could get their hands on his opposite number and used a bit of ‘colt age’ language (‘tackle the little xxxx’!). Nord threatened the naughty step and the rest of us parents were impressed with the French kid management when our step had vanished over 10 years ago!  Henry was back on tackling and making a nice run with some side steps, Harley was making some good ground too. Syd was on for a great cameo and running loops around the opposition. Eventually a nice move along the backs and it was a first try by Leo in the corner to put a cherry on the cake. Tricky kick missed 53-05 and the final whistle went. 

WE HAD DONE IT!  

An outburst of joy with players, parents and even Grandparents storming the pitch!! Hugo first, then pretty much everyone in the team lifting the trophy to massive cheers from the fans. There was drinking from boots, drinking from glasses, birthday bumps for Joseph (it was a struggle, but they just about made it) and some great video footage from ‘Cillian Murphy’ Nigel too. 

A massive, massive thanks to the amazing coaches who work so hard for moments like this. All those wet cold training days, those finals lost, the times when our heads were down were all forgotten for such glorious moments like this. Also a shout out to M&Y Chairman Jonboy for all the behind the scenes work (and checking my poor spelling!). Birthday boy Joseph picked up man of the match and player of tournament deservedly went to Will S.

Onto the Isle of Wight Tour with confidence, and we will certainly cause some damage over on the Island (am obviously just referring to the rugby…).

Go the Cranes!