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Cranleigh RFC II - 36 Old Cranleighans 2s - 0
10/04/2010
Away (1500)
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Match Report
2s Win Local Derby
Old Cranleighans 2s 0 – 36 Cranleigh 2s
Saturday saw Cranleigh IIs travel to Old Cranleighans with a handful of younger representatives and vets acting as the guild to the second team. In what was a fitting testimonial to Gez Waterfall, Cranleigh dominated the fixture in what was a measurably tougher game than their opening game of the season with OC’s.
The game started quite tentatively with Cranleigh dominating possession and making frequent inroads to the OC’s 22 but exuberance got the better of so many 50/50 off loads which couldn’t quite go to hand. Sustained pressure always tells, and it was after a surging run from Matty Sunderland that Gez Waterfall crashed over to open the score board which was duly converted. Cranleigh were soon to return to the OC’s half and scored in the far corner. The half ended 12-0 and was a half of missed opportunities, not capitalised upon by Cranleigh. Telling of the half was the pressure that the pack managed to exert on OC’s gifting many a turnover in the scrum and dominating the break down. New prop Dan Wilkie embraced his role (and opposite number) with both hands and looked comfortable in his duties as well as putting his body on the line for Cranleigh.
The second half saw changes up front and out back and despite assurances that keeping it tight was the way forward, the second half was to see more open expansive rugby played. This was to follow a sustained period of pressure led by OC’s openside who made great inroads to the Cranleigh half and was held up by some strong tackling c/o stalwarts Matt Norman and Andy Morris preventing a score. 10 minutes of pressure followed and OC’s soon cracked conceding a penalty that enabled Cranleigh to clear their lines and return to OC’s half.
Thereafter it was a contest between the three Storey’s, Lewis Keeling, The Rhydian as to who could dance in between the now tiring OC’s defence and run in tries. In a shocking second row wildcard entry to the dance off, Matt Norman even entered the mix and had only green grass between himself and a break away score, but was just tackled short. Mention must also go to some lazy positioning (influenced by his father I have no doubt) that saw our hooker, young Rory Eves, stay out wide for play to return in his direction to score what should have been a Neil Warzee try! The final score of 36 – 0 was thoroughly deserved and credit has to go to OC’s who did not give up at all during the 80 minutes.
The afternoon was finished off with a pitchside beer and with thoughts now focussing on the rescheduled Media game that if won, would see Cranleigh finish 2nd in the league.
