Burgess Hill 22, Cranbrook 31: All Blacks relegated
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The Cranes started brightly and used their excellent back row and giant second row to make good ground before releasing their useful backline.
In response the All Blacks pack also carried well with the back row of Connor Chatfield, Andy Mackay and Dave Wattam making good ground with the ball in hand. In the backline line fly half Rhys Clarke was releasing his backline with centre Jordan Sayers and winger James Sweet making some fine runs.
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Hide AdThe All Blacks had the majortiy of possession in the first half scoring 2 tries, 1 conversion and 1 penalty. The first came from a break in midfield that resulted in a ruck near the line where Wattam picked up and crashed over. The second try came from a flowing back line move that saw Sweet beat his opposite man with neat footwork before scorinf in corner. Clarke added a conversion and penalty. In reponse the Cranes scored two tries one of which was converted to give a half time score of 15-12.
In the second half the Cranes came out of the blocks well scoring 2 quick tries one from a driving lineout and another in the corner to lead 15-24. The All Blacks responded with a lineout try of their own which second row Adam Rez dotted down and Clarke converted to go backnro 22-24.
With 3 minutes left on the clock the Cranes delt the killer blow scoring a converted try to win 22-31. The All Blacks will kick themselves for not winning more of these tight encounters including Folkestone and Eastbourne at home and Pulborough away earlier in the season. They will however be pleased that they competed in the much harder league with a number of new young players stepping up well.
Next week the Sussex All Blacks hoat Horsham in the semi final of the Bob Rogers Sussex cup KO 2:30pm.
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