Match Reports 2008
For 2007, the first half of the season, go here
12th April 2008
The Perfect Storm
Mitcham 9 Old Cranleighans 10
Old Cranleighans are celebrating a fantastic unbeaten season, eighteen straight victories culminating in a tense and dramatic battle which went down to the wire. Third placed Mitcham were desperate for a win that would at least give them a shot at promotion, and that desire almost saw them topple the runaway League Champions, a penalty in the dying moments held up on an opportune squall. Cranleighans won the title several weeks ago, and for much of the game the tantalising prospect of a clean sweep of the league looked beyond them. This team is not short of heart however, and as the heavens opened at the close, OCs had fought back to seize a single point advantage, and with it the crowning glory of a season to savour.
On a large and over-grassed paddock, in the shadow of the pylons, the gathering storm clouds were initially held back by bright sunshine, but in their skipper, Mitcham supporters were only too familiar with a red mist about to descend. A wild early haymaker at the lineout, was soon followed by an blatant yellow card offence at the breakdown. Incessant talk at the official on return hardly endeared the No 8, and a late tackle and raised forearm early in the second half saw the captain sent from the field. All Mitcham’s early good work was squandered, and only a valiant effort from the seven-man pack kept the hosts in the game.
Mitcham started strongly, their urgency manifested in some robust rucking, a powerful opening from a sizeable pack. Fired up and roared on by a decent crowd, Mitcham should have taken an early lead, centre Neville seizing onto a speculative midfield miss pass, only to fumble the ball with the OC line at his mercy. OCs survived this early warning, but soon found themselves back in trouble, the slope and wind pinning them within their own half. Goal line heroics and some excellent tackling around the fringes with Simon Steer and Robin Williams prominent, kept Mitcham at bay for a time but, caught offside after ten minutes, OCs were forced to watch as Liam Dewsbury nailed a confident first penalty. A decent extended period of OC pressure followed, but the visitors failed to come away with any reward and in breaking the siege Mitcham grew in belief. With no number four jumper for OCs at the lineout, the hosts were guaranteed possession, but in Al Lawson OCs found a safe outlet. Lineout calls of Stephen Hawking like complexity could hardly disguise the fact that Lawson jumping at two would be the intended target, yet throughout the game OC were grateful for an athletic display from the Soweto Soarer.
Dewsbury calmly slotted a second penalty, and a third success struck a more ominous note for OCs. A poor restart was symptomatic of a worrying period for the visitors, Mitcham simply wanted the victory more at this point. Dewsbury lined up a fourth penalty attempt, and with Dom Hammond floored by a stray boot in a messy scramble for the loose ball, it seemed OCs would go into the interval twelve points down and without their first choice kicker. The penalty went astray however, and the half-time whistle gave OCs time to gather themselves. Apparently content to wait for the advantage of slope and breeze, OCs were given a quiet tongue lashing at the break, an unbeaten season hanging by an extremely tenuous thread. From the restart the games changed complexion, and within five minutes Mitcham were left to draw on tiring levels of fitness and desire by the latest moment of madness from their captain. OCs re-jigged their line up, Graeme Brown hounded all day by a useful Mitcham back row but typically aware of his team’s need, making way as Andy Houston stepped in to scrum half, Harry Jupp ushering Hammond up from full-back to fly-half.
Cajoled by Houston into a more urgent rhythm, Cranleighans at last began to threaten, but as the half lengthened OCs still had it all to do. A huge period of pressure drained the Mitcham seven, their defence holding out bravely in the face of decisive advantage for OCs at the set piece. Finally OCs gained reward, Simon Steer, ubiquitous all afternoon, on hand to touch down wide right of the uprights with just ten minutes left to play. Hammond’s kick was not an object of beauty, the low fat slap somehow skidding over the bar to take Cranleighans to within a score. Moments later Steer almost single handedly won the game, a brilliant solo run leaving all but the last desperate cover trailing in his wake. The pressure on the hosts stretched to breaking point and with only minutes to spare Hammond this time made no mistake, drilling a penalty from in front of the posts to earn a one-point lead. Mitcham had given everything in pursuit of promotion, and were not to know that it any event rivals Old Haileyburians’ own victory saw them take the second league spot irrespective of the outcome in this attritional battle. Throwing bodies at a final assault, Mitcham earned a last ditch penalty and elected to go for goal. Dewsbury had kicked well earlier, but now found the awkward wind further harnessed by a fierce downpour. Cranleighans perfect season came down to this, and it seemed fate was on hand conspiring to hold the penalty attempt up on a swirling gust. Even then Hammond had work to do, claiming the hanging ball and making yards in the teeth of some desperate follow up tackles, before Cranleighans worked the ball clear, and could begin what proved to be a long and liquid party into the night.
Green Jacket: Al Lawson Green Faces: Brownie and Keg on Sunday morning Green Card: Keg, its been a pleasure mate. Good luck and get back to us ASAP.
29th March 2008OCs Net Worth
Old Cranleighans 21 Worth Old Boys 10
Seventeen down, one to play. Old Cranleighans stand on the brink of an unbeaten season and travel away to Mitcham for the last game of the year on April 12th. Mitcham themselves remain strong contenders for promotion but must beat the League champions to have a chance of joining them in Surrey League two next season, as rivals Old Haileyburians have a superior points difference and will in any event take second place with a win of their own. OCs can expect a hot reception, and must be at their best to achieve a clean sweep.
A hugely enjoyable Golden Oldies Lunch bought the School Headmaster and a large crowd down to Thames Ditton, and if the poor conditions did not permit much of a spectacle, then the result was certainly what the vociferous support demanded. Worth OB gave OCs a tough examination before Christmas, and seem to bring their best game to this fixture. The second half in particular saw some forceful running from their inside centre, the catalyst for a strong riposte to a commanding opening period for the hosts. Yet rarely can an OC side have been so dominant in terms of territory and possession and have come away with such limited reward. The OC pack pulverised the Worth eight in the set, and Keg enjoyed his stint at hooker, finding Al Lawson’s safe hands at the lineout with an unerring accuracy his wayward opponent must have dreamt of achieving!
OCs began strongly, Spencer Collard, a powerful driving force all afternoon, somehow robbed as the Worth tryline beckoned. Cranleighan pressure was soon rewarded however, Dom Hammond slotting an opening penalty, and doubling the tally shortly afterwards as Worth prevented a quick tap penalty, failing to retire ten metres. But Cranleighans could not translate their dominance to the scoreboard, and found it difficult to clear their lines, failing to make either distance or the guaranteed security of lineout possession with some wayward kicking. As the wind picked up Worth fought back, full-back Ed Bishop halving the lead just after the half hour. However direct from the restart Worth spoiled their renaissance, Hammond kicking OCs back to a deserved though tenuous six point cushion on the stroke of half-time.
Worth sensed an opportunity, and came strong in the third quarter, scrum half and centre inspiring some enterprising running. But OCs are not league champions by chance. Skipper Graeme Brown came on at scrum half, the game more suited to his robust style, whilst Surinda came into the back row. Perhaps more importantly Sam Langmead and Dom Hammond agreed a mutual positional swap, and with the wind behind them, OCs began to appreciate the tactical requirement and put boot to ball with greater success. Hammond’s burst gave centre Dave Shaw the space he craved, and he easily rounded the full-back striding away to the left of the uprights. Hammond struck the conversion well, and would soon add an even better kick from the left touchline to stretch OCs to twenty-one points. Langmead’s deft chip set up the position in the left corner with fifteen minutes to play, and when Worth conceded a free kick, Simon Steer, the stand-out player throughout, reacted quickest tapping and feeding No8 Tom Rive positioned wide out on the flank. Rive still had much to do, but his low charge burst through the tackles for a fine score.
Worth were not done yet however, and their persistence was rewarded, the inside centre returning a poor clearance at pace. Hammond put in a sound last tackle, but the offload put in right wing Brown who gave Bishop a simple conversion to take the score to 21-10. OCs were reduced to fourteen men when Shaw was forced off, and might have struggled for the final eight minutes. Sound defence held firm however, as Dennis Kwist on for Chris Lambert, and the final whistle sounded without further alarm. Hardly a game for the purists, but the damp and blustery conditions determined this would never challenge Hong Kong as the weekend’s most spectacular festival. Cranleighans march on relentless, fine performances from Collard and Rive, a lung-busting stint from Lambert at prop, and a typically dynamic foraging display from Simon Steer leading them to the final hurdle.
Back in the clubhouse the collective goodwill amongst Golden Oldies, team and spectators was apparent. OCs welcomed back Jon Glover for a post match update on his back injury, and wish him well with the forthcoming MRI results. The main point of discussion however revolved around Brownie who faces a selection dilemma for the final chapter. OCs success this year has been based as much as on any other factor as on the ability to select a consistent side. Now with one game to play, OCs have an embarrassment of riches, particularly in the back row, and will travel to Mitcham with a strong squad and a steely determination to reach the summit of their ambitious quest. Selection decrees training is a must on the 9th, as is the celebration party that night in Wandsworth. Let’s toast a fine achievement and also raise a glass or three to Master Jack Roles, Tim’s latest home-grown recruit to the OC fold. Congratulations, how’s his availability for the weekend?
Oxford: Simon Steer
Cambridge: Chris Lambert. Replaced by Dennis Kwist for the final twenty, Quote “I’m absolutely knackered, then again I was before the kick off!” Boat Race: Queen Adelaide, Wandsworth Saturday 12th April, KO 7.30 pm
8th March 2008Firemans LiftWoking 0 Old Cranleighans 38
A shout goes up… jump into the uniform, grasp the helmet, ease down the slippery pole, sound the siren, man the pumps, climb the ladders, all aboard for this week’s simmering instalment. Not an advertisement for the forthcoming Gentlemen’s Evening, but rather a fire raiser’s alarm, warning a certain hooker not to play with matches, as he did this one, away to Woking. Blaze a trail through this report to discover the charred remains of a promising career within the closing paragraph, or sift the coals a while and warm your hearts over the glowing embers of OC’s most recent success.
Old Cranleighans extended their unbeaten run into March with this sweet sixteenth victory. Six tries and four conversions exactly replicated the scoreline of the previous week, though Woking offered a more robust defence and obliged the visitors to work for their points. On a heavily grassed paddock, a squally wind favoured the visitors in the opening period, but OCs took some time to reach the top floor, which would ultimately prove too high for their hosts.
OCs took the title last week, and now more than ever this season, opposing teams are looking to knock them off the pedestal. With two games left to play, the challenge to attain the perfect season will get tougher as lowly Woking simply could not live with the champions. Woking now face a dogfight to escape relegation, whilst Cranleighans face Worth OB on March 29th before an expectant crowd of Golden Oldies at Thames Ditton, before travelling to promotion-chasing Mitcham on April 12th, both games likely to test Cranleighan resolve.
OCs began brightly enough, No 8 Tim Roles reacting quickly to Graeme Brown’s tap penalty to burn off a fractured defence. Woking struggled to break out, pinned in by both wind and OC pressure. A failed clearance reached Jonny Gates wide out on the left, and his inside ball found full back Harry Jupp, whose deceptive gliding run and dummy carved open the home defence once more. OCs hammered on, and Roles showed great strength in breaking from a five-metre scrummage, staying upright long enough for the first brace of the afternoon. Nineteen points clear without really breaking sweat, OCs found cruise control, and eased into the break sensing victory, but aware the elements might yet have a say in the outcome of the game.
The second period saw Cranleighans up the tempo, assisted by a referee who for once enabled OCs to ruck. The OC pack was well matched in the tight, though Al Lawson had a good time of it at the lineout, but in the loose the visitors were dominant. In the back row Dean Warren had a strong game, as did the returning Surinda, full of energy after a lengthy enforced lay off. But pride of the brigade was hooker Robin Williams who appeared at the heart of the OC effort. Cranleighans began to stretch the game, the midfield opening gaps in a tiring defence. Fawcett went close (ish!.. honest) from a wickedly bouncing Langmead cross kick, before Dom Hammond added to his four conversions, finishing a sweeping move in the right corner capitalising on a yawning overlap. Surinda seized the fifth try, last to rise from a rumbling forward effort. Finally Jupp sailed in from the back again, completing his own brace courtesy of a lovely show and go to the line. Cranleighans had enjoyed their day in attack, and once again showed great determination in preserving another clean sheet.
And so we reach the fiery climax of our story. On a day when ‘mighty’ England played with such a desperate lack of imagination in losing to the Scots, let us conjure up a morality tale to extinguish the soaring flame of our potential leading light this week. This chastening saga begins with a cat caught high in a tree. Our hero, shall we call him Robin, dons his cape, slides down the pole, up the oak and rescues the stricken kitten. Flushed with success, the adulation of the local populace, smothered in kisses from the womenfolk of the district, our man goes out to play with heroism and fortitude, and looks set to crown his distinguished week with the coveted MoM Award. But, such is the capricious nature of fame. One minute the darling of the RuckU film crew recording his every move down at training, the next…Ashes to ashes…In the blink of an eye, the Williams boy is exiled from the fray and suffers the most ignominious of fates. In the immortal words of Marc Lievremont, Chief Brown decrees the time has come to bring on a “grotesque clown”, and our hero’s soaring comet tumbles back to earth, substituted for that rugby leviathan… Tony Price. If only bumbling Mr Ashton was so cutthroat.
Shiny Red Engine: Robin Williams
Firemans Helmet: Surinda
Purple Helmet: Chris Lambert
1st March 2008 - First XV
Guildfordians 0 Old
Cranleighans 38
Champions. Old Cranleighans fifteenth straight win has taken them beyond the
summit of Surrey League Three, promotion secured with three games in hand. OCs
knew this victory was enough to send them up, and thoroughly merited the popping
champagne corks back in the changing room. The unexpected evening news of nearest
rivals Old Haileyburians second defeat in as many weeks, handed the Thames
Ditton outfit the title of League Champions to add additional sparkle to the
celebrations.
Eight points clear at the top, with only three games
left, Cranleighans can look forward to life in a higher league next season. Yet the frustrating nature of this match leaves a vaguely unfulfilled after-taste,
a feeling that this side has so much more to give. Three more games to
complete a vintage season, three chances to rise to the heights to which this
side aspires. Promotion is richly deserved however, the first time in some fifteen
years that OCs have tasted such success. Built on individual brilliance, and
an outstandingly resolute desire to protect the try line, this has been the
best OC side in recent times.
The game itself will dwell but briefly
in the memory, a stop, stop affair littered with cards and the perpetual whistle
of both official and wind. On a miniscus like surface (look it up Kiwis), the
slope and gale favoured the visitors in the opening period, blowing them to
an unassailable lead by the interval. The six try total shows a dominant OC pack
once again controlling affairs, though the hosts showed more than their bottom league place suggested. From
the kick off itself, Guildfordians all but stole in at the right corner, OCs
slow to react. Slowly the visitors took a hold of the game however, and were
rewarded when Dave Shaw seized onto a foundering Gs move, and celebrated a month
of marriage by gliding to the line. Jonny Gates went for an early blood bin examination,
returning taped and eager to keep skipper Graeme Brown straining on
the sideline. The fractious nature of the game was evident from the outset, not
helped by the frequent interventions of an official who appeared to have been
delayed at several amber lights in arriving late for the kick-off, such was his
predilection for the yellow card.
Nic Robinson held a strong line
bursting on to Sam Langmead's pop pass and stood up well in the tackle to put Dom Hammond under the posts. Al Lawson arrived late to barge over from another sweeping
OC attack. Then, despite the worst efforts of his tonsorial artist (look
it up Kiwis…), Keg showed a predator's awareness for the line, emerging from a
catch and drive from a lineout to claim his first, and celebrating a rare brace
in winning the race to a charged down kick. OCs might have scored further points,
the capricious wind taking the ball beyond the dead-ball line on occasion
when a more favourable bounce would have been gratefully seized on. The lead was
more than adequate, but still the half time talk spoke of the equalising effect
of the elements, and the need for control, to put together phases.
Guildfordians
came hard with the wind, camped in the OC half for much of the
third quarter, but discovered an OC defensive line which refused to yield. Two further home sin-bins found the referee in unforgiving
mood, the miscreants obliged to stand behind the posts, the nearest Gs came
to crossing the OC whitewash. The home stand off had already given OCs a friendly
Fijian welcome, sent to the bin in the first half, and surely guilty of
an earlier head high tackle as Langmead swooped to score. Tim Roles joined him
for ten minutes to muse further on impending fatherhood, or perhaps how to broach
the subject of Tour with the sainted Mrs R. Finally OCs broke the stranglehold,
battering up field with Baz Anayi and Spencer Collard to the fore. Wing Will
Fawcett appeared to have spent too long injured on the side line in recent months,
eager to receive passes whilst already outside the tramlines. But OCs hammered
on, and fittingly it was the skipper who instigated the final score, a quick
penalty moved through several pairs of hands before finding its way back to
Brownie who rolled over for the only score of the half. The captain has
been passionate in his desire for OC success this year, and this was surely a just
reward for his efforts.
Champagne opened, promotion achieved after the narrow miss last season, and the title
secured albeit by default. OCs travel to Woking on Saturday and should look
to sustain the momentum, and perhaps to truly enjoy the success this year has
brought with a real show. All three sides still to come will be itching to knock
the leaders off their pedestal, but OCs have shown true mettle in this campaign,
and would dearly love to hold onto the belief that an elusive unbeaten season
is a tangible proposition.
Champagne Flute: Sam Langmead, the heart of the OC effort, with Action Man scar to
prove it
Beer Tankard: Collard, Keg
D Cup: Barmaid at the Horseshoes
and Anchor
16th February 2008 - 1st 15
Old
Cranleighans 72 Streatham & Croydon 14
Expectant Father Delivers Five
The Old Cranleighan gestation develops inexorably towards delivery from Surrey
League Three with this latest success. OCs have now won fourteen straight league
victories, and were never remotely stretched by a woefully under-strength
Streatham & Croydon combination. The home side ran in tries at leisure, including
triplets for Thomas Davies, and a bouncing bundle of five for father-to-be
Tim Roles. The pack made dummies of the S&C scrum, soothing the No.8's passage
to the try line. Mrs. Roles will undoubtedly have to push harder than the OC front
row when she delivers their first child in a few weeks time.
S&C gave OCs a good examination of their table-top credentials earlier in the season,
but were denuded by injury and loss of players. To their credit they kept
shape and discipline, but were simply overwhelmed by an OC side stronger in every
aspect of the game. The OC pack dominated the lineout, stole ball against the
head at the scrum, and had fun in the loose, whilst the back division ran riot.
Notching twelve tries in total, the luxury of a kicking contest amongst the
scorers in the second half and the early termination of the game denied OCs an
even more impressive points haul. Ten minutes from time, a neck injury in the S&C
front row halted the game for a prolonged period. Even though a suitable replacement
was available, the referee was coerced into one of his more cogent decisions
of the afternoon, and called time to save S&C from further misery or the
probability of a century concession.
A bright chill afternoon welcomed OCs back onto the main pitch for the first time
since the rains, and the larger playing area sparked a festival of open rugby.
Tom Davies started the landslide after good approach work from Roles in the third
minute, easing round a reluctant defender to give Dom Hammond a comfortable
opening conversion. Soon afterwards the pack engineered a catch and driving maul
for the second, exonerating the mischievous imp that dwells in his mind as a
four man overlap was Baz Anayilated in familiar chip 'n chase mode. Roles scorched
round under the sticks from wide out on the left after Hammond had checked
his run right, made an arcing run to the left and seen good handling from Ben
Duncan in particular work an opening.
Nineteen points down in the opening minutes, the referee saw fit to challenge
the home side himself, allowing S&C a chance to draw breath and courageously
fight their way to the Cranleighan line. Left wing Maney battled over for a converted
score, as Cranleighans struggled to comprehend the official's management
of the game. In response the OC pack drove ever onwards, taking a front row seat
for the Tim Roles show, three pick-up and drives from attacking scrums proving
increasingly simple to execute. S&C were proud in their riposte however, and
though the touchdown was at best suspect, the left wing try and fine touchline
conversion were good reward for a gutsy effort. From then on however, it was
one way traffic, OCs next score a gem. Al Lawson took the lineout, Andy Houston
lifted a teasing cross kick which Sam Langmead seized on to put left wing Nic
Robinson past the final defender. Hammond kicked a fifth conversion to take OCs
into a gurgling 45-14 interval lead.
The foreshortened second period continued in similar manner, though by now
the OC back division was intent on stealing some of Roles' babyshower. Centre Ben
Wright was a disappointing casualty of the afternoon, his knee ligament damage
allowing Will Fawcett a chance to stretch out hamstrings long on experience
if short on elasticity. The tendons held together sufficiently for the substitute
to hang on to Langmead's long pass and put Davies away to the right corner.
Hammond then produced a lovely individual cameo, sleight of foot and deceptive
pace taking him past several defenders. Fawcett scored himself soon afterwards
finding space and oxygen behind a tiring defence for a try described with opulent
panache by ghost writer and emergent Booker Prize candidate Chris Lambert in
a dulcet recorded commentary; "some old wanker has just scored…" Purple prose
dear Christophe…
Davies completed a worthy hat-trick again in the right corner, and Langmead showed
the kicking competitors how it should be done, banging over a lengthy conversion
after Houston had fired a couple of duffed wedges. Finally, eager to purchase
a celebratory jug and not rush home to a heavily pregnant better half, Roles
poached a fifth, again aided by a dominant scrum unit. Taking the conversion himself,
our nervous hero checked his petrol level, that he knew the route, had
packed mini babygrows, nappies, mobile phone, camera, camcorder….checked again,
and popped the champagne moment high, wide and wider still!
Cranleighans
now sit six points clear at the head of the table, nearest rivals Old Haileyburians'
challenge fading in defeat to third-placed Mitcham. Victory away to
bottom-placed Stoke Park, apparently now reconstituted as Guildfordians, on March
1st should therefore confirm promotion, but the tangible prospect of a perfect
season should drive this team on for the remaining four matches. Every opponent
will want to trample on reputation, the gauntlet therefore thrown down to
accept the challenge and maintain the season-long winning tradition until the final
whistle in April.
Bundle of Joy: Tim Roles
Pacing the Corridors: Brownie…living every moment
of the action whilst on the injury list
Champagne: On ice
9th
February
2008 - 1st 15 Merton 10 Old Cranleighans 47
The
Birds
Flock as OCs Fly High
Several hundred seagulls gathered at Merton Rec to witness Old Cranleighan's
latest league victory, lending a Hitchcockian menace to a potentially tricky
tie. OCs blossomed as spring arrived early, forty-seven points amassed via
seven tries and six conversions for a second successive week. The hefty Merton
pack offered a potential threat, and their back line initially posed questions
of the OC midfield, but by the closing credits it was the visitors who proved
to be The Men Who Knew too Much.
OC skipper Sam Langmead won the toss
and opted to play North by North-West down the slope on a firm but mysteriously
small pitch. OCs are Notorious for starting slowly and found themselves three
points down within minutes, a pumped up Merton side deserving left wing Michael
Garnett's early reward. But the visitors soon found their stride, fine approach
work from Langmead, Tom Rive and Andy Houston crowned by Dom Hammond who took
an inside ball from Nic Robinson to leave himself a straightforward first conversion.
Cranleighans shook off any thought of Stage Fright with a second score
shortly afterwards, the scrum increasingly dominant, Rive driving on after a
patient build-up and Houston's clever delayed pass allowing Sam Jenner to split
the defence. Any Suspicion that OCs would allow their unbeaten streak to dissipate
was soon left on the cutting room floor, James Duncan bursting through as
Houston capitalized on great approach work from Hammond, Langmead and Robinson
down the left, again delaying the scoring pass to Sabotage the defensive line.
Merton were more than willing to battle however, playing their own
part in an entertaining open game. With OCs back in cruise mode, the hosts won
quick ball off the top of a lineout, and full back Tom Wood glided through after
the Merton midfield left a disjointed OC defence Spellbound. As so often this
year, the reduction of a seemingly unassailable lead, further dented by Garnett's
successful conversion, came as a result of Cranleighan loss of concentration.
Every side OCs play is keen to knock off the league leaders, and so at half-time,
with a 21-10 margin, it seemed possible that we could yet be in for a thriller.
Four second-half tries removed any Shadow of a Doubt that OCs deserve their
status as leading man in the league this year. From the restart, Langmead made
swift amends for a kick direct to touch, ripping the ball clear from a maul to
send Houston scampering The 39 Steps to the try line, stealing up an unguarded
blind-side. No.8 Tim Roles trundled up in faithful support To Catch a Thief and
flopped over The Rope for a decisive early score. To their credit however, Merton
refused to lie down, abetted by a referee keen to level the playing field.
Dial M for Murder on the floor was the official's verdict, and OCs found themselves
on the receiving end of a stream of penalty awards. Garnett fired two Merton
attempts wide, either side of a try saving tackle from OC full-back Dom Hammond,
and a home score at this juncture might potentially have allowed the hosts
to squeeze back into the game.
OCs maintained their composure however,
resisting the temptation to question the official, and Houston's long clearance
raised the siege. Jon Glover and Tim Roles pinned the opposing full-back
into the top right corner with twenty minutes to go, and OCs refused to allow Merton
to break out for the rest of the match. From a resulting five metre
scrum Roles grabbed a second, battering over the blind-side wing.. By now the
OC pack was dominant, and they claimed the final quarter glory for themselves.
Baz Anayi emerged from a concerted mauling drive to touch down as the Merton defence
did an impression of The Lady Vanishes. Then finally Tom Rive piled over,
due reward for a robust stint in the second-row having guested at centre earlier
in the year.
Even when prop Alexi Dimitrou was sent to the bin as
the official tried to educate Cranleighans in the offside law, the visitors showed
great patience and resolve to overwhelm a pretty decent Merton side. Few
will have noticed Will Fawcett's Hitchcock-like cameo role, slipping on through the Rear Window at full-back, but
as the pack kept the ball for the final ten minutes, the replacement had ample
time to work on the denouement of this director's cut. Cranleighans ride high in
the league, a seemingly inexorable promotion drive unlikely to suffer from Vertigo.
Streatham & Croydon are next up at Thames Ditton on Saturday, and victory
here will put the league leaders in a virtually guaranteed top placing. But as
the teams headed off to the shower scene from Psycho, the belief that an unbeaten
season can be attained should motivate and drive this side onwards.
Finally
a word for stricken left wing Jon Glover who suffered a nasty looking
back injury at the final whistle. Even as he recovers at home contemplating
that he was simply The Wrong Man in the wrong place, he will be comforted by the
knowledge that there are sea lions on the shore of Patagonia who would have
held the three scoring passes our hero flapped at! Our thoughts and best wishes
to you, get well soon Mr Glover, see if the quack has any thoughts on attaching
fingers to those fins….
Oscar: Andy Houston
Large Cigars: Langmead, Rive, Anayi, Roles
Watching
Flipper at home: Glover J
26th January 2008 - 1st 15
Old
Cranleighans 47 Reigate 12
Hangover Cure
Twelve straight wins see Old Cranleighans sit comfortably clear at the head of Surrey
League Three. The previous week Cranleighans held on to defeat nearest rivals
Old Haileyburians, and there was always the danger the hangover from that victory
would be a degree of over-confidence against a Reigate side overwhelmed
by 70-odd points in the corresponding fixture before Christmas. But, despite another
heavy defeat, the visitors gave a good account of themselves offering OCs
a physical confrontation up front. The hangover duly raised its aching head for
a time, but twenty plus points either side of half time provided a fairly satisfactory
remedy for the league leaders.
Seven tries and six conversions
tell of OCs willingness to spread the ball, some excellent offloading interplay
between the pack and some fine individual performances. Against that lay
a soft first conceded try, a tendency to over complicate, and a mutual lack of
fulfilment back in the bar after the game. OCs had won comfortably, and looked
the part for periods of the game, but took time to warm to the task, creating a
frustration that the victory margin was achieved without ever really touching the heights.
On a fine bright day, Cranleighans lacklustre
arrival was quickly negated as Sam Langmead lofted a hanging kick-off, Robin
Williams began a fine personal game by reclaiming the ball and OCs drove hard.
Early knock-ons held back momentum for a time, but soon Baz Anayi showed good
strength staying on his feet driving to the heart of the Reigate defence, and
Dom Hammond conjured a hole to give himself the simplest of conversions under
the sticks. A sustained passage of frustration then set in, OCs unable to control
the tempo of the game, lacking communication between the respective units. When
Hammond pushed a penalty wide on the half-hour, it appeared Cranleighans were
struggling to capitalise on their superiority. Yet in fact the opposite happened,
the hosts stirred into positive action. A sustained drive to the left corner
was recycled to Anayi, who had but one thought in mind as he set off ball tucked
under one arm and battered through several tackles to slam the ball down
beyond the whitewash. OCs raised the tempo further as Hammond latched on to a quick
tapped penalty from Brown with an electric slashing side-stepping burst, offloading
to Al Lawson for a third converted try.
Despite a further missed penalty, OCs could be quietly satisfied with a 21-0 lead,
particularly as Reigate were reduced to fourteen men with a sin -bin offence
just before the break. Yet with all the possession and territory, OCs failed to
capitalise in this period. The try that finally broke the dam was one of the season's
best. Once again Anayi and Tom Rive drove hard at the midfield and Hammond
worked a smart loop with Nick Cunningham in the centre before putting Thomas
Davies into a yard of space. Davies' strong fend and finish out to the right
corner were due reward for home dominance, although the wing was forced off shortly
afterwards.
Reigate were undoubtedly improved from earlier in
the campaign, and took their opportunity when OC second-row Rory Field was ushered to
the bin for persistent team offside. A concerted drive saw David Jamieson bundle
over for a converted try, though OCs defence will not look back favourably on
this passage of play. Cranleighans responded instantly, a fine offloading rampage
amongst the pack, Ben Duncan to the fore, finding flanker Sam Jenner at pace
down the left, his flamboyant dive to the corner ending a good period for the
visitors. Hammond slapped over a scudding conversion from wide ignoring the absence
of a kicking tee (Club Treasurer please note!), and when Sam Langmead carved
himself a gaping hole with a dummy in midfield to saunter home, OCs were out
of sight. Reigate threw caution to the open arms of home centre Cunningham,
who made off for the far try line as if treading in treacle! Certain to be caught
he threw an extravagant flip back over his head which fell kindly to OC lock
Field who had to score after an outrageous sidestep ignored three men outside
him. As the whitewash shrank from him the second-row had just enough inches to
reach the line. Hammond drop-goaled the last two conversions for a fine personal
seventeen point haul.
Forty-seven points is a conclusive total, yet Cranleighans frustration was further
compounded by a final score from the visitors. Reigate stuck to the task and
Simon King displayed fantastic feet with a superb in-and-out, which left the cover
defenders on their collective posteriors. At the whistle it was the visitors
who believed they had made strides. For Cranleighans this was a routine victory,
good in fits, very good in starts, but hampered by an abiding sentiment that
it could still be so much better. Six games remain in the league, six chances
to sustain the run, six opportunities to really see the potential of this side
realised.
Champagne Cocktail: Baz Anayi
Vodka Martinis: Ben Duncan, Robin Williams,
Sam Jenner, Dom Hammond
Horlicks: Fawcett hamstring!
19th January 2008 - 1st 15
Old
Haileyburians 13 Old Cranleighans 16
Drop Dead Gorgeous
The Old Cranleighan bandwagon rolls on, victory achieved against an Old Haileyburian
side which provided the league leaders with their sternest test to date,
all but turning round a thirteen point margin in a tension-wracked final quarter.
OC's win sees them four points clear at the top of the table, and with third-placed
Mitcham losing as well, Cranleighans are now in a commanding position
to secure the promotion which so narrowly evaded them last term.
The
game never quite lived up to the table top billing, or matched the fine performance
OCs put in to win the reverse home fixture earlier in the season. Cranleighans
arrived conspicuously early for the game, the unusual level of organization from an OC outfit
somewhat undermined as the home clubhouse had yet to be unlocked! Fully aware
of the importance of this fixture, and buoyed by an excellent training session
in the preceding week, OCs set to the task with a powerful opening. Reclaiming
the kick-off, Baz Anayi and Spencer Collard hammered on, and the outlook looked
rosy. However playing up the incline, and into a swirling wind, the visitors
soon found themselves penned in their own half.
Haileyburians will
rue a brace of missed penalties to top and tail the game. The first was straightforward
yet pushed wide by a capricious gust, a speculative drop-goal attempt
suffering a similar demise. Cranleighans tackle count again held up well, despite
an occasionally alarming lack of width across the defensive line, but it took
until the sixteenth minute for OCs to voyage beyond their own ten-metre line. Dom Hammond, who spent a largely frustrating
game patrolling the final third aware of the threat posed by the OH fly-half,
led a fine breakout supported by the excellent Tom Rive. OCs established a scrum
position under the OH posts, and looked to be marshalling a push over try,
before the referee's perplexing decision to reverse the put-in decreeing the scrum
had wheeled. The home side had undoubtedly swivelled, but as the OC pack was
still bound and driving straight, it seemed a harsh call. Seconds later
however the injustice was forgotten, as Sam Langmead retrieved his own misdirected
pass, pirouetted out of the tackles and spirited into clear space for the
opening score away to the right. Hammond's clever conversion harnessed the breeze
to blow Cranleighans into a seven-point lead.
The first forty minutes lacked rhythm, creativity stifled
by the occasion and a pedantic official keen to assert the letter of the
law. Tom Rive fell foul of this precision, pinged for hands on the deck, but will
feel that on several occasions as the tackler he had got back to his feet and
clearly bridged the tackled player. "No hands, ruck" was the referee's explanation,
and OCs had to take their medicine, as OH stand-off Matt Huneyben nailed
the penalty. OCs rallied and again found themselves in the lee of the home posts
with seconds remaining prior to the interval. In the corresponding fixture,
skipper Graeme Brown's drop-goal on the stroke of half time was described in balletic
terms. This time he repeated the trick, a fine sense of timing only marginally
undermined by the most flatulent drop goal in post-modern history.
Cranleighans
could be quietly satisfied with the 10-3 lead from limited possession, the margin achieved in the face of a strong challenge from both
conditions and opposition. From the restart, the outlook grew yet rosier. Sam
Langmead, a twinkle footed maverick as ever, threw up a hanging kick, the pack
reclaimed possession, Rive powered on and in a moment of absolute inspiration
Langmead with the purest of strikes, drilled over a soaring drop goal from fully
forty metres. What a start to the second period, and, in their best period of
the game the visitors showed some great form, the pack offloading superbly in
the tackle, again finding a willing utility flanker in centre Rive. Impossible
to single out one of the front eight, the OC forwards took the game to the home
side, and were duly rewarded by Dom Hammond's successful penalty. Haileyburians
were struggling at the lineout, the scrummage tide had certainly turned OCs
way, and with a thirteen-point lead, Cranleighans would surely look to the elements
to help them consolidate and put the game beyond home reach. But then the
tension set in…
OHs began to fizz the ball around, tapping penalties of necessity, and soon flanker
Ed Mitchell pulled a try back, somehow escaping from a seemingly static maul
to touch down in total isolation. Huneyben added the extra points, and suddenly
the game began to implode on Cranleighans. Frustrated by their inability to take
territorial advantage and kill off the game, and by the dogged persistence
of the home side, Cranleighans nerve was tested to the full. A sizeable crowd held
its collective breath as Huneyben rifled a penalty over to bring the match
down to a single score with fifteen minutes to play. Inside the final ten OCs scrambling
defence somehow contrived to prevent a certain try, the ball held up
over the line by frantic hands and bodies. Then with just five minutes remaining,
Huneyben again surveyed the posts, this time from range, but directly in front
of the uprights. A penalty to claim a draw, to haul in the visitors lead, to
peg back the league leaders, to throw the season wide open…
Well struck
and good for length, the home support dared to enjoy a moment of hope as the
ball sailed high and true…but to OCs breathless relieve it was dragged wide.
Cranleighans had weathered the storm, and carried the ball and with it the match
away to calm waters in the dying moments. The tension was released and with
it the champagne corks, as OCs celebrated an eleventh straight win. With seven
league fixtures remaining the challenge now is to keep the faith, maintain momentum,
and concentrate on the need to close out match-winning positions. This was
always going to be one of the season's stiffest tests, Cranleighans rose to it
and should now enjoy the run in with determination and confidence.
Best of Breed: Sam Langmead
Pack Animals: Front eight and Tom Rive,
stand out performances
Terrier: An inspirational week and performance
from skipper Brownie
Pet Smart: Geoff the Dog receives the unkindest cut of
all!
5th January 2008
Old
Cranleighans 29 Raynes Park 5
The Fellowship of the Ring
Old Cranleighans enjoyed a happy start to the New Year, retaining top spot
in the league, earning a tenth straight victory and salvaging a marriage into the
bargain. The afternoon matinee contained six tries, two conversions, battering
scores from the Kiwi Orks and the recovery of a precious ring. The 'Blue' wizard
bellowed mightily from the touchline, the ale flowed, Mr Samwise Jenner went
home a relieved and grateful man, and all was happy in the OC Shire.
OCs
began strongly, dominating the first quarter against a Raynes Park side
intent on slowing the ball at every opportunity. Baz Anayi, revelling in a day
of liberty in the back row, all but scored with an audacious chip and chase,
(imagine that, Baz: chip, and chase in the same sentence!) whilst Sam Langmead
enjoyed a fine return to form, Legolas the elf of mind and feet in the centre.
Andy Houston played Gandalf at stand-off, conjuring and directing the pattern of
the game. It was a prop who finally rewarded Cranleighans territorial dominance
however, Keg a wild haired tempest all day, deciding enough was enough and seizing
the opening score. From the restart though OCs were swiftly bought back
down to Middle Earth, careless under a hanging ball and lamely toe poking a clearing
kick straight down the throat of the rampaging RP hooker. Second row Dylan
Edwards followed up for the equalising score and in a flash undid all the early
good work from the home side.
Skipper and super-sub Graeme Brown oozed in and out of the blood bin as Al Lawson
bled for the cause, eventually receiving six stitches courtesy of the massed ranks
of fellow countrymen on the Raynes Park side. Incessant Afrikaner appeals
from the visiting skipper and bodies sprawled over every ruck irked the official,
and it was only a matter of time before a yellow card was produced, a late tackle
from the lock the latest in a series of off-the-ball incidents from the visitors.
Prior to this Baz Anayi grabbed the second score, Houston prompting the
position with a penalty to the corner, Lawson securing the lineout, Spencer Collard
and Keg prominent in the drive and the flanker calling for a short ball
to the blind side where he barged over to touch down. With RP reduced to fourteen
men, Cranleighans turned up the pressure, some terrific support play and offloading
rounded off in rumbustious style by prop Ben Duncan, with Dom Hammond knocking
over the conversion for a deserved 17-5 lead at the interval.
A season-long sense of deja-vu hung over the half time huddle, Cranleighans aware
they had the game in the bag once more, the challenge being to ram home the advantage.
A familiar scenario played out however as OCs endured a poor period post
interval, unable to find a rhythm as the whistle dominated a staccato and frankly
poor period of the match. Cranleighans were able to rise from the mire though,
as Jon Glover made strides down the left flank and the ball was, for once,
swiftly transferred to the right where Thomas Davies made the most of the overlap.
The scrappy nature of the contest continued, with OC hooker Robin Williams
making his own way into the bin for the last minutes. Cranleighans had the final
word though, Jon Glover celebrating an excellent personal game with a fine
finish after Dom Hammond had finally broken out in an arcing raid from the back.
Hammond added the extras and OCs were home and clear.
Ten consecutive wins have been forged on both individual moments of inspiration
and increasingly on a collective will to turn this season into something special.
Cranleighans showed great grit in a sustained period of defence midway
through the second period, and continue to impress with a defiant willingness to
protect their goal line. Ben Duncan all but celebrated a second score, a lame
clearance finding him on the charge, only white line fever preventing a Kiwi treble.
Jonny Gates serviced his back line well all day, and Dean Warren had an
outstanding game foraging at open side. Best of all however were the closing credits.
Mrs Jenner was about to be a very unhappy hobbit, as her Mr Samwise had
lost his wedding ring during the warm up. In what must have looked the most bizarre
warm down ritual, the squad hunted Gollum down, making a sweeping search of
the pitch as the dusk fell, and finally triumphed on the third attempt, Mr Frodo
Keg holding the trophy aloft. The fellowship of the ring, a great bonding moment
to carry into the sternest of challenges ahead … Only the distant rumble
of the Haileyburians of Mordor threw darkness across the land, portents of the
mighty battle yet to come….
The Lord of the Rings: Dean Warren
The Lord of the Grins: Sam Jenner
Stop
Press: Crap sofas still available at DFS! See Oscar
winning leg crossing/smug advertising for details…
2007 / first half of season: see link at top of page
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Reports 2008 
