Latest Match Reports
VICTORY AT LAST!
After a series of disappointing results, Croydon earned their first League win of the season with a fine all round, structured, team performance which will hopefully galvanise the rest of the campaign and see them move up the table.
Croydon started confidently, driving aggressively through the forwards and handling crisply in the threequarters and after 15 minutes of domination they took the lead when scrum half, Ben Maynard seized on scrappy ball at the back of a Farnham scrum and drove for the line before lightning hands in the backs put wing Xola Kalipha over on the right.
Craig Bond converted from a difficult angle but Croydon’s injury jinx continued as Kalipha limped off with a thigh strain.
Farnham responded with a penalty but 8 minutes later, Croydon crossed again. Fly half, Alex Warsop cut through twice to set up the position. The forwards drove for the corner before centre Jabs Zulu was released through the middle to cross unopposed.Bond again added the conversion.
2 more chances went begging. First No 8, Jon Wright, back after a long injury absence, burst clear but couldn’t find Maynard with the scoring pass, then Dom Plum put away wing, Toru Higushi, who was stopped by a dangerous high tackle. This resulted in a sin-bin for the Farnham wing but, more importantly, the departure of Higushi with a head wound.
Croydon eventually scored their third try with a set line out move which put Nick Ray over and should have been home and dry at half-time but Farnham held on with penalties either side of the break.
Farnham took advantage of the extra man to score in the corner when Maynard was sin-binned mid-way through the second half but Croydon continued to play good expansive rugby with Warsop dictating position with some astute kicking.
Man of the match for Croydon was Craig Bond, more at home on the flank, who showed what a versatile rugby player he is by forming a devastating centre partnership with Zulu.
Bond was at the centre of the action all day and it was fitting that, have missed an earlier attempt, he made the game safe with a penalty from in front at the end.
