Archived News - Dec 07 to Jan 08 inc
Cranleigh 10 – 17 Kingston
Another close game saw Cranes fall to the league leaders Kinston in a superb game of rugby.
As usual please see the 1st XV Match Reports page for a full report from Captain James Moore.
Cranleigh 15 – 18 Old Caterhamians
Another narrow defeat saw Cranes slip to bottom table in Surrey 1.
Please see the 1st XV match reports page for a full report from Captain James Moore.
Pulborough U16s 25 - Cranleigh U16s 20
Cranleigh narrowly lost by the single score to a good Boro team who had comprehensively thrashed them at the beginning of the season, so there were strong echos of the 1st XVs gallant defeat the previous day (see below).
CRANLEIGH 3 OLD ALLEYNIANS 12
After Cranes received a 50 point hammering last time they played Old As, they were always going to be under dogs in this contest.
Please see the 1st XV match reports page for a full report from Captain James Moore.
Sunday 5th January 2008
U16s AWAY at Pulborough
All other Minis & Juniors training at HOME
Saturday 5th January 2008
1st XV HOME v Old Alleynians
Cranes HOME v Old Paulines
All support most welcome
Contact Robin for VPs lunch
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CLUB & BAR OPENING TIMES
TUESDAY 18th & THURSDAY 20th - Training
SATURDAY 22nd - 3rd XV v Reeds (H) - CANCELLED
NO BOXING DAY OPPOSITION - CLUB CLOSED
THURSDAY 27th - Training - CANCELLED
SATURDAY 29th - Senior Club XV v Holbrook (H)
THURSDAY 3rd - Junior & Senior Training
SATURDAY 5th - 1st XV v Alleynians (H) - VPs Lunch
SUNDAY 6th - Mini & Junior Rugby
U18s Excel Against Esher
Sunday 16 December
In their first league match of the season the U18s, with the aid of three U17s players held Esher 0-0 at halftime, finally narrowly losing 0-10. Full match report awaited.
Double Disappointment
Saturday 15 December
Sadly despite excellent performances by both teams we suffered a whitewash against Old Freeman’s, with the 1st XV gallantly going down 5-13 away & the 2nds losing their first league game of the season & their top of the table position to the same opposition. The only silver lining was that with London Exiles failing to fulfil their fixture at Kingston & thus being deducted two points Cranleigh have climbed off the bottom of the Surrey 1 league table for Christmas. Much more important though is our greatly improved performances in the last two games, showing that we have turned the corner & can now look forward to righting some earlier wrongs & setting some scores straight during the second half of the season. See 1st XV page for a full match report by Captain James Moore.
Old Freemans Double Header
Whilst the 1st XV travel to Ashtead Park looking for a second successive win the 2nd XV entertain the same opposition at Wildwood Lane on Saturday 15 December.
Junior Matches
Sunday 16 December sees the U14s playing an away league game at Chipstead, the U16s an away friendly at Effingham (1200 Noon KO) & the U18s at home to Esher.
Minis Christmas Party
This will be held in the Clubhouse on Sunday 16 December.
Cranleigh Vets 22 – 17 London Irish Vets
8th December 2007
A tough game played in difficult conditions produced a feast of good rugby with Cranleigh making a spirited comeback in the last 5 minutes to score 2 tries & steal the game. The first of these came from a typically determined Paul Storey run down the left wing but the conversion was missed from in front of the posts, leaving the scores tied at 17 – 17 as the match went into injury time. A great take by Rob Ambler from the restart, a maul dragged down to a ruck, Irish infringe, the referee awards a penalty & the Cranes cleverly opt for a scrum. No 8 pick up, moved to Paul Reed at 9 where the ball is quickly sent wide through the hands to Paul Futter on the wing who takes a switch & sets off for the try line 40 metres away; no one can lay a hand on him & the game is won. What a finish!
Cranleigh 16 - 0 Croydon
Saturday 1 December
Saturday saw Cranleigh turn a big corner in getting their league campaign back on track. The team displayed a strong presence as they observed a minute silence prior to kick off for that of the late Ron Thomas, one of, if not the founding member of the Club. He will be sorely missed. Cranes new this weekend was time to front up & nothing short of a positive performance would do. Playing against the wind first half Cranleigh counter attacked superbly, seeing Paul Futter & Dave Smillie running back missed kicks & penetrating Croydon's back line. The forwards worked as a solid unit dominating set pieces. With aggressive, controlled rucking, plus pick & drive around the fringes consistently testing Croydon's defence. The visitors can take some comfort from the fact that only their superb tackling stopped the scores racking up. With controlled, secure ball to the backs, Jamie Williams orchestrated the game well, releasing centre Ben Silks on searching runs. However given all the Cranes' territory & possession the scores just had to come. Eventually a simple move from the back of the scrum released winger Rob Melvin to dive in the corner. Futter kicked the extras superbly, slotting the conversion from far on the right wing against the wind. This was soon followed by a further Futter penalty before halftime. After that in the second half Croydon never really looked a serious threat, with their attacks frequently snuffed out by the Cranes' backrow of Chris Morris, Jason Quick & Luke Edwards. Williams kept the visitors pinned in their own half with pinpoint downwind kicking. Futter continued to slot the penalties to stretch the lead, so after a number of extremely disappointing recent results Cranleigh finally celebrated a strong league win.
Weekend 1st/2nd December 2007
Apart from the party the 1st XV have a massively important home league game against Croydon where they need your support.
The 2nd XV are on the road at Old Blues & the Vets get a well earned rest.
On Sunday the Minis are at Farnborough.
The U14s play Brighton at home.
Christmas Party at Cranleigh RFC
8pm, December 1st, 2007
“Girls, get your dancing shoes on - Boys, get your drinking
boots on its time for the CRFC Christmas do!”
• Robbie Williams - Take That - Ronan Keating Tribute BandCharity Auction
- proceeds going to Pond Meadow School
• Posh Burger Van providing Burger and Chips included in Ticket Price
• Tickets £15, proceeds going to Pond Meadow School & CRFC
• Call Josie Wheeler on 01483 273403 / 07815 201165, or email
rwheeler@wagerworks.com
RON THOMAS
Ron Thomas, Founder Chairman & ex President of Cranleigh Rugby Club, has
died after a long illness.
Ron was one of the main driving forces in founding the Club in 1967, & it
was he, in the first decade, that moved us from a nomadic side to one that
owned its own Clubhouse & Ground. A major move that has formed the basis
of what we are today. Our thoughts & sympathies go to Wyn & Family at
this sad time.
The Funeral will be at 1130 on Monday 3rd December at Guildford
Crematorium, followed by a Reception at Cranleigh Rugby Club.
Nigel Spong, Chairman, Cranleigh RFC
