Tough game against unbeaten Crowborough

The away trip to League leaders and undefeated Crowborough was always likely to be a stern test for this young Horsham side. With a number of key players missing due to injury, the challenge to the squad's depth would never be greater this season. The guys that stepped in acquitted themselves admirably, but the reality was that on the day, Horsham came up against a strong and well drilled team that would have taken the honours had Horsham had its squad fully fit.

Crowborough bases its play around a solid set piece presenting quick ball for their excellent and powerful backs. Whilst their back three get the plaudits, the key players on Saturday were both centres who would have looked comfortable playing a couple of leagues higher. Horsham gave the Crowborough backs too much space early on, and once the tails were up, it was always going to be a tough battle to get back on par.

This resulted in a blistering start by Crowborough and after only 4 minutes Horsham were 5 - 0 down following turn over ball from a Horsham lineout in the Horsham 22 that was spun wide for the winger to score. This was not the start needed and contrary to the plan of limiting the attacking space. Last season, Horsham had lead after 60 minutes only to be beaten by Crowborough's fitness and although Horsham did have phases of play where they were on top, the problem was that these were not consistent enough. For the next 10 minutes, Horsham's forwards started to pressure Crowborough at the break down and set piece resulting in multiple infringements giving Horsham the opportunity to kick for position. Horsham's line out was working well in the main and became a source of possession such that on 13 minutes, Neal Holden burst from a driving maul to tie the scores at 5 - 5

There then followed a period of too and fro with Horsham's forwards contesting well and Crowborough backs looking dangerous. After 29 minutes however, the deadlock was broken as another turnover from the line out resulted in several missed tackles and a move that brought the winger off his wing to score to the left of the posts. The conversion was missed - 10 - 5

This was immediately followed by a penalty for being offside in the backs which was kicked leaving the score 13 - 5 after 32 minutes in Crowborough's favour..

Horsham raised their game in the run in to half time and following some good interplay between backs and forwards which almost resulted in a try, a penalty was awarded which was kicked by young Sam Bell leaving the score 13-8 after 34 minutes.

On 37 minutes, the Crowborough centres and wingers combined following missed tackles and neat offloading play to score another unconverted try leaving the scores 18 - 8 at half time.

The second half continued as the first half played out. Crowborough looking dangerous with the ball and moving it fluently, and Horsham competing in phases but not fully reaching the levels they had set previously in the league. 3 further Crowborough tries followed in quick succession on the 45th, 50th and 60th minutes - two of which were converted leaving the score 37 - 8. The harsh lessons of ball retention and poor kicking to a dangerous back 3 were being learnt the hard way.

On 70 minutes, having lost the game and playing with less tension, Horsham started to work some phases and interplay between the backs. Creating quick ball and recycling well, Horsham span the ball wide to score a good try by Jamie Gibbs leaving the score 37 -13.

Rather than looking to consolidate from this position, Horsham again allowed Crowborough space through poorly placed kicks to a dangerous back line and Crowborough scored two more tries on the 77th and 79th minute leaving the final score 49 -13.

Horsham's youngsters will have learnt some valuable lessons from this heavy defeat - not least the fact that granting possession to dangerous set of backs can punish you. Crowborough are quite rightly favourites to achieve outright promotion this year as they are the best team in this league. They are well drilled, powerful and play to their strengths. Horsham for their part did not play to their ability and gave away possession and the initiative too easily. We will be working hard to learn the lessons of this defeat and to focus on rectifying this when we welcome Crowborough back to Horsham for the return fixture.

Man of the match went to Sam Bell for another fine defensive display at fullback.

Despite some strong competition, particularly from Dan Bourne aiming to make it twice in as many weeks, DOTD went to Rob Hoskins for his box kicking expertise.