Cranleigh Win Under Lights against Old Paulines

Match Report

On a perfect spring evening the Mighty Cranes travelled a short distance up the A3 to play Old Paulines at Cobham RFC

Having only played once against OPs this year it was difficult to assess how the game might go but on the back of a winning streak lasting till early February there was a good feeling among the group.

Cranleigh struggled initially for control of the ball OPs had strong runners carried and recycled well and tested Cranleigh in all areas of defence however having weathered at 15 minute onslaught Harry Crabtree relieved some pressure with a huge clearing kick and followed it up with a penalty kick to the corner. Cranleigh had asserted dominance at set piece and at the second attempt at a driving maul Will Davies rumbled over for the opening score, duly converted from Crabtree.

With the wind in their sails Cranleigh marched down the pitch again and again with a dominant set piece the platform was set for Davies to muscle over for his second again converted.

OPs were in disarray constant pressure from Cranleigh led by openside George Disley led to a panicked kick in their own in goal area by OPs which only went sideways along captain Pierre Goodwin to catch and score in the corner. 19-0

A lapse in concentration was the only blemish of the first half as an overthrown line out wasn’t dealt with and and OPs player capitalised on the ragged defence to score in the corner taking the score at half time to 19-5

This Cranleigh team have learnt the hard way in the last few years that if you don’t play for 80 minutes you get punished fortunately those lessons have been learnt and Cranleigh continued the second half as they had the first dominant set piece aggressive and disruptive defence and hard running in attack, one such run from Pierre led to his second as he found a weak shoulder from a tiring opposition and exploited it perfectly to score under the sticks.

Oli Stevens then got in on the act with a very David Campese esq chip and chase to score on only his second appearance for the 1s.

OPs clawed a couple of consolation tries back but the Cranes had the last word with Liam Kennedy finishing off a great team effort to move OPs from coast to coast allowing gaps to open up and Liam to run in under the sticks in touched

Cranleigh now have a semi final to look forward to which if won will mean a day at Twickenham for a final !