Cranleigh gets the edge over Old Emanuel
Cranleigh RFC followed up their well-earned victory over Warlingham with a dogged performance and a 24-20 win against Old Emanuel in Counties 4 Surrey.
The score suggests a very tight game – but Cranleigh at 24-13 up were well in control for most of the match up to 3 minutes from full time when Emanuel brought back the score to 24-20.
The pattern of the game was evident on a heavy pitch. From the start, Cranleigh used its front five to dominate Emanuel.
It took ten minutes for an excellent maul and drive from 10 yards out for Cranleigh to score, with Charlie Pankhurst to finish the move. Emanuel responded, earning a penalty under the posts to convert. This encouraged Emanuel to attack, and Cranleigh had to defend vigorously, which they did.
From then on, Cranleigh kept Emanuel in their own half, driving with the pack in control. Eventually, from a five-meter scrum, an excellent maul, Charlie Pankhust added another try, which was converted from wide out by Wilbert.Overton. Any defence needed, the back row was able to neutralise any danger. Half time 12-3.
Squad changes were made, and an injury to Milo Livesey gave back the initiative to Emanuel, who, within 5 minutes, scored with an excellent lineout and maul, duly converted. Cranleigh gave away several penalties in the maul and ruck, and Emanuel took advantage, converting a central penalty. 12-13.
From then on, Cranleigh took control for the rest of the half. From Emanuel's defensive kicking, Mikey Rosser, at fullback, caused panic in the Emanuel defense.
The pack provided a lot of good ball, which at the right time was released to the backs, with Pierre Goodwin and Tom White combining to put Mikey Artett to score halfway out, again well converted.
Another similar move, with the forwards driving, the ball released, and the back outpacing Emanuel to put in Mikey Rosser for another try, 24-13.
Two other attempts by the forwards were judged to have been held up. Everything looked, over the last 15 minutes, to be a comfortable victory against a side that was second in the table, until the last 3 minutes, when Emanuel responded by getting into the Cranleigh half and scoring from an excellent maul and conversion.
Two difficult opponents have been overcome, which gives the squad great encouragement. Now they see themselves second in the league. Mikey Rosser had his best game for the club and was easily the man of the match. With the excellent pack providing good ball, our pacey backs, with a little more precision, will score many more tries.
Next week's away game at Reigate is one they look forward to completing a recent good run.