Crawley’s winning streak came to an abrupt end against high flyers Uckfield.
Crawley took the field with high hopes and expectations for this top end of the table clash. The weather was blowy with some driving rain; this turned the pitch into a quagmire. These conditions were to go against our quick style of play.
It didn’t take long before a long kick with the wind put our defence napping a good chase by Uckfield gave them a try in the far corner. Against all odds the kick was converted.
Trying to play our way into the game the Crawley pack were put under increasing pressure on our put in and a few balls went against the head, the wind upset our line out play with the option being ‘front ball’ Uckfield continued to pressure Crawleys defence which held up and once more a touch of ingenuity saw a kick from Uckfield stretch our defence.
With only one man to beat the Uckfield winger dipped into S. Wilson who is 2’ 4” high Steve was adjudged to have made a high tackle, but on the plus side he saved a try. Unfortunately Crawleys scrum half was given 10 minutes under the posts. A man down was all Uckfield needed to score from a No 8 pickup.
Half time saw captain M Clay urge and rally his troops and galvanise then into action sadly lacking in the first half. Good defence kept Uckfields pressure at bay for much of the second half but with no clean ball of any note the backs never seemed to get into the game.
Crawleys only shining star was Spanish (Brian) with a well read interception he burst through unchallenged to score the try was converted.
The last minutes ended on a reasonable high with Crawley realising and possibly waking up to their situation. A case of too little too late? |
