Match Report: Cranleigh v London French

Cranleigh v London French  26/10/24 Result Home Walk Over.

London French had to concede the game to Cranleigh as they could only bring 12/13 players to Wildwood Lane. However, a game proceeded with the help of Ben Terson and Dave Sexton from Cranleigh, who were playing for the French, as referred by Mike D Durso (LSRFU).

Unfortunately, the game started as a friendly with non-contested scrums. London French began well on a sticky pitch and kept Cranleigh in their half for the first 20 minutes. Eventually, Cranleigh started to maintain control of the ball, and a drive 10 yards out saw Pierre Goodwin score halfway out. The half was a poor watch with no real pattern or purpose from Cranleigh, and the French back row was excellent in canceling any Cranleigh attacks that they could not perform well in training. Half time, 5-0.

Multiple changes were made in the second half, and Cranleigh started brightly. They had more control in parts of the game but had difficulty in getting over the gain line with poor and dropped passes. The depleted London French side did have several excellent players who restricted Cranleigh in attack. There was relief when Phil Dandy exploded through the middle to score out wide, followed up with a good score from a well-worked move out wide by Lawrence Elphik. 15-0 . A  kick ahead by the French was poorly defended, allowing their excellent number 7 to score. The game was drifting up to 35 minutes, but Cranleigh could score on more try. Full Time 20-5.

A difficult game for Cranleigh in the circumstances, but one which they should have imposed themselves more on the French. Phil Dandy, as usual, made several excellent tackles and looked the most dangerous in attack. Multiple changes were made during the game, including positional, so no play pattern existed.

London French put up a great effort, helped by the Cranleigh boys, and it was heard after the game that Ben Terson played for 80 minutes, his best game of the season.

The French enjoyed the post-match fun, were very entertaining, and hoped they could attract more players to complete the season.

Cranleigh has no game next week, but the next three opponents, starting with Old Freemans on Nov 9th away, will be much stronger tests than the previous three.

Report John Bailey

Saturday 26/10/24 Results  Counties 4 Surrey

Cranleigh             HWO   London French 

Old Freemans    15-16  Harlequin Amateurs

Haslemere         31-17 Old Emanuel

Old Glynonians  38-21 Southwark Lancers 

Reigate              27-19 Old Paulines.