Operation Promotion: Completed

London French v Cranleigh  11/4/26  result   5-31 

PROMOTION -MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, finishing second in Counties 4 Surrey.

The aim right from the first game of the season, by Coaches /Players, was to get out of League 4. This was eventually achieved by our opponents on Thursday, first awarding us the points, thereby the match was officially shown on the RFU site as an away win walkover. However, a decision was taken to keep this fact from the Cranleigh players, and the London French agreed to play the game as a friendly.  

Therefore, the Cranleigh squad, with 25 players, traveled by Coach to Barnes, well-motivated. Unfortunately, London French could not field a suitable front row, so the game had to be played with non-contested scrums, which, not surprisingly, did not go down well with our set of forwards. This had a big effect on the first 20 minutes of the game, as Cranleigh could not get any rhythm going in their play and looked very nervous. The French were very active in the rucks and mauls, and the props were aggressive, looking as if they would handle a tight scrum.  Cranleigh battled hard to get some rhythm going, and after 25 minutes, an excellent,  aggressive break by Marcus Dangerfield opened the scoring for Cranleigh, duly converted. Confidence grew, and Steve Dandy followed with another great weaving run to add a second try, followed by the best move of the game, with Steve Dandy scoring out wide. Half time 0-19. 

London French forwards decided not to lie down at the start of the second half and immediately were able to ruck and maul their way to the Cranleigh try line, and after six movements scored half-way out. Cranleigh fought back, and the forwards mauled and rucked to the French try line, and Charlie Pankhurst was too strong to be stopped from scoring. after 18 minutes. Cranleigh then controlled the game, and Phil Dandy broke again to score. Pressure continued even after Jamie White was yellow-carded, and soon after, the London French second row was penalized for a high tackle. Jamie White returned to pick the ball from a maul and score 5-31.

The players did not seem to mind when told, after the game, that London French had already conceded the points and took great pride in at least having bragging rights. Two outstanding performances, both from players returning from University. Marcus Dangerfield broke tackles and created many opportunities, and Ted Jerges handed a master class on how to tackle dangerous opponents.

Under the circumstances, it was a very good squad performance. The referee did not help the game with strange decisions, unexplained, leaving both sides in confusion, and a fetish for high tackles 

The Cranleigh squad, Tom White, and  the Coaches who have worked so hard  during the season to maintain the cause with the help of Tobias Macey, Milo Livesy, and the leadership group, deserve great praise 

.

 Report John Bailey

Results  Counties 4 Surrey 11/4/26 

London French   AWO  Cranleigh 

Old Emanuel    10 -0 Old Freemans 

Reigate             14-69 London Media 

Warlingham       26-19 Staines 

League Top Positions 

                                 Points 

Old Emanuel             66  

Cranleigh                   60    

London Media           60   (Cranleigh points difference best in the league )

Old Freemans           51