Cranleigh RFC’s comeback comes in the last 12 minutes!

The match, played at Battersea Park in torrential rain on a substandard pitch, was one for the hardy Cranleigh spectators, who witnessed a game that looked lost until the final 12 minutes.

London Media started the match exactly like Cranleigh's previous three opponents: with a strong pack and two centres acting like battering rams. They took the game to Cranleigh, putting them under intense pressure right from the kick-off. It took only 12 minutes for Media to exploit gaps in the Cranleigh midfield and score under the posts. Media added a second try with the same efficiency within another eight minutes, leaving Cranleigh starved of possession at 14-0.

Gradually, the Cranleigh pack began to take control in the tight exchanges. However, with Joe Taylor receiving a yellow card, they struggled to make a significant impression. Even when they did gain territory, poor execution at their own lineout halted their momentum. Max Chruisciel was introduced at scrum-half, and in the 35th minute, he outpaced the Media defence with an amazing run to score out wide.

Half-time: 14 – 5.

The second half started much like the first, with Media on the front foot and battering Cranleigh. Although the Cranleigh pack remained dominant in the tight, Media moved the ball away quickly and looked dangerous at every opportunity. The Cranleigh defence worked tirelessly, but it was not enough to prevent Media's number 12 from adding to their score.

At this stage, all looked lost for Cranleigh. For 20 minutes, they could not clear their own half. Eventually, Media began to tire and conceded a series of penalties. Having lost patience, the referee issued quick-fire yellow cards to three Media players. Cranleigh did not escape discipline either, with Jamie White leaving the field for a swinging arm.

Despite the disruptions, the Cranleigh forwards surged up the pitch, giving Media a taste of their own medicine. Luke Fielden finished off a well-executed maul to score. Soon after, Max Chruisciel scored another brilliant individual try, once again outpacing the Media defence.

The Cranleigh pack then camped on the Media 22-metre line and drove the ball toward the try line. When Media collapsed the maul, the referee awarded a penalty try, levelling the score at 24-24 with just two minutes remaining.

Immediately from the restart, a fired-up Cranleigh side mauled and splintered the Media pack, allowing Charlie Pankhurst to secure the final try and a crucial bonus point.

Final score: 24-29.

The squad was overjoyed, and rightly so, having fought back for most of the match to secure the win. Great credit goes to the pack, who eventually got the better of the Media forwards, and to Luke Bargman, whose positional kicking put Cranleigh back on the attack late in the game. Considering another round of injuries and selection unavailability's from the previous week, this was a magnificent team effort where nobody ever gave 

Match Report: John Bailey 

Photos: Paul Ashworth