The Crows vs BRFC 3’s

Recap

A Local derby was the scene for Crowthorne’s men’s side (The Crow’s) opening home game of their Counties 3 South 2022/23 season, Bracknell III being the visitors to The Nest. 

After an opening game loss last week to Tadley II the Crows were determined to improve and take the hard work of preseason training onto the pitch. The opening exchanges saw them doing just that as they controlled the territory and pace of the game holding Bracknell in their own half and eventually forcing a penalty, which was converted by John Holding making his Crowthorne debut at inside centre. The pressure continued and led to another long-range penalty opportunity this time taken by the Crows’ No 10 Josh Roberts. Some heavy Bracknell pressure saw the referee issue 2 yellow cards late in the half for persistent infringements taking the Crows down to 13. 

The second continued as the first finished, with Bracknell holding the Crows tight in their own 22 for much of the time with short breaks down the pitch to relive the pressure only for The Crows to then give away a penalty and allowing Bracknell to gain the attacking territory once again. This pressure eventually paid off, with the only try of the game being scored out wide by Bracknell in the dying minutes of the match. The conversion missed, Crowthorne held a slender lead 6-5 but were able to maintain some field position after the restart, which forced Bracknell into conceding a penalty in front of the posts, allowing Dan Coombes, on the pitch as a replacement, to kick a further 3 points to ease the pressure further, allowing The Crows to see out the game for a well-earned win, to the joy of the sizable local crowd in attendance. The Crow’s Man of the Match was shared between outside centre, Chay Smith for his outstand defensive work and scrum half, Clive Shepherd, for his excellent game management.  

Crowthorne play Windsor II next Saturday in the shadow of Windsor Castle kick off 3pm. If you are interested in getting involved in local rugby, please contact Karl Roberts at rugbydevelopment@crowthornerfc.co.uk or head down to the club on a Tuesday evening at 7pm where The Crows will be preparing for their next match.