Quins Cup Rd 1 – CRFC u15’s vs Haslemere u15’s – 38 – 10

The rumble in the Surrey jungle was on. After the frost and before Storm Isha it was the first game of the Harlequins Cup and a local derby against Haslemere. There was a delayed start with the coaches inspecting the pitch with Jeff Boycott style keys in the ground (men please explain the Cricket analogy..!). 

The frost was still there so we moved to our training pitch to get the big bought underway. Etienne and Nord being French decided it was an hour later in France so we could have our first Guinness whilst the boys got ready. Bonne idée!  

Haslemere had issues getting a full team, but used a Covid friendly rule to allow a few 16 year olds to play and they looked large. The other notable sight was a new referee – our own Tarek stripped off into a Mignon style bright yellow top with about 5 watches and a whistle and was on for his maiden game. Right from the off it was evident that the Cranes had listened to M-Dog and bought their A game. Some typical strong runs by Joseph and Dom and nice skills by the backs got us close to their line. Zac took it from the back of the scrum, went blind and made it through a few tackles to score, to an extra shrill whistle by a happy Dad ref.  Nice kick by Rory 7-0. 

Right off the kick off, Burt did a trademark gliding run and got us going the right way. A little back chat by Carlo and Tarek had his first bit of discipline to hand out (well assisted by Heidi and Alessio on the touchline). More pressure from the Cranes with Harley and Henry on direct runs. The opposition managed to kick out, but Oscar D picked up from full back, ran through a load of tackles and popped it up to Oscar H for the try. Difficult kick missed. 12-0. Great start.

(A quick correction corner before moving on I awarded Oscar D a try last week to be told by Dad Mike that he was back home…! Nice one Lazza – I blame it on the dodgy Irish bar in Merton)

Back to round three and our ball again with Dylan doing some nice runs off the back of the pack and great jackeling. He is really developing into a strong player. We then had a bit of stalemate with some good tackling by Hugo, Zack and Henry. The wind was playing its part and the game became a bit scrappy from both sides, with a bit too much speculative kicking. However credit to the opposition who were putting in some strong hits and not letting us have our own way.

There was then a stoppage for some dog poo on the pitch and a heroic lady from the opposition fans ran on with a bag. Back underway and Joseph did another bullocking run that turned into a driving maul that almost went over.  The ball went wide and Matt Matt ran well, but tried to do too much and should have passed (perhaps trying to impress in front of one of three girlfriends present today!). The opposition kicked clear and then Oscar D scored an awesome try running through half their players. A lovely kick by Rory was even filmed by mum! 19-0 and we were dancing like a butterfly and stinging like a bee!

However the opposition weren’t on the canvas yet and came right back at us. They had some good moves with their 9 and 10 and some of the big lads were making impacts and getting down towards our 22. In the end one of their fast wingers went sideways, broke a few tackles and scored a nice try. Despite an interesting wiggle action the kick was missed. 19-5.

We did exactly what Rob and Russ told the lads too do and came out after the bell and scored.  Arguably one of the best tries I’ve seen by the Cranes that seemed to have all 15 players involved in five or six strong phases. Lovely work by Rory and Burt using the backs, good strong runs by Luc, Henry, Zack and Dom stretching the opposition left and right. On the third trip down the back line Will S broke through and stretched over for the try. Easy kick by Rory landed 26-5 at the halftime whistle. 

Despite some showboating in front of girlfriends a really strong half by the lads. The scrum had been so powerful that Tarek wisely decided to go uncontested for safety reasons and the backs had shown some lovely skill and speed running in the tries.

The second half and Storm Isha was beginning to take hold and we were directly into the wind. The opposition must have had a good talking too as they came out firing and it was backs to the walls stuff.  Henry put in a massive hit, Dante was also bringing people down regularly as was Dylan who seemed to be everywhere. Possibly our most improved player of the season – Leo – was also tackling like a demon and Syd was doing his usual jackal work and annoying the opposition nicely!  However despite our defence the opposition kept coming and found a way through a few tackles on the blind side with a quick winger and made it through. Tricky kick missed. 26-10.

With a renewed opposition and a strong wind we were under the cosh again and unable to clear our lines by kicking. They came very close to scoring again, which really would have put the cat amongst the err Cranes?! but knocked it on. Luc did his best to run the ball from behind the goal line, but got caught and we had our backs to the wall. However, despite multiple kicks failing to work with the strong wind, one bounced the right way and popped up to Oscar D. He ran the length of the pitch and was almost guilty of show boating to his girlfriend and egging on his opposite number who caught him on the line. However he squeezed over for perhaps the most important try of the game against the run of play. Easy kick landed by Rory. 33-10. Phew!

Kick off and we managed to have 16 players on the pitch and were accused of being ‘cheating bar stewards’ (like that one!) but Rob frantically got Rory off. Lovely to see how much the boys want to get on the pitch. Dante was tackling well again, and good to see Dad Dougie out of his ankle boot and hopping around nicely. The opposition wanted a last score and almost got it, but their handling errors let them down again and knocked it over the line. Some lovely tackling with Jack playing a nice Cameo at hooker and Logan on and playing nicely. Then another Rolls Royce run by Oscar H almost got through their whole team to score.  Then a nice bit of interplay between Syd and Matt Matt, and the latter scored in front of his girlfriend. Tricky kick missed. 38-10 at the whistle.

A great result by the Cranes who had really stepped up a notch from last year. Having such a strong squad and all our key players back from injury has worked wonders. An excellent first refereeing duty by Mignon Tarek and some good hickey chat by an unnamed lad in the girlfriend corner! Back to the bar for some well-earned Guinness’s and excellent match teas by Josie. Man of the match to their large number 8 with a spray on shirt and our Oscar D (yes he was definitely playing this time!). Nice match against a good opposition with friendly parents. The rumble in the Surrey jungle was won, bring on the Old Cranleighans!