Charlton Park arrived in East Sussex buoyed by a strong performance against Cranbrook and a pair of slick training sessions that had Shae Tucker quietly optimistic. But rugby, like the weather, has a way of shifting quickly—and Saturday’s fixture against Crowborough proved a stormy affair in more ways than one.

A Disrupted Start

The day began with detours—literally and figuratively. Bridge repairs on the A21 rerouted the media team through the winding lanes of Kent, and Storm Amy grounded Izy Matea’s return flight from Belfast. Another late withdrawal due to personal reasons added to the disruption, forcing Shae to reshuffle his backline once again. Reion Raybe slotted in at fullback, while Josh Elias and Lee Syndercombe stepped into the fray.

Early Blow

Crowborough, playing into the wind, struck within the first minute. A midfield turnover allowed them to shift the ball wide and score in the corner—setting the tone for a half dominated by Park’s inability to retain possession, adapt to the conditions, and execute under pressure.

Two more tries followed in quick succession: one from a textbook driving maul, the other a blistering counter-attack from deep inside Crowborough territory. Park’s lineouts faltered until the 25th minute, when Tom Allen soared to claim clean ball, setting up a driving maul finished by George Crick—his third of the season.

Despite the brief resurgence, Crowborough added two more tries before the break, including a controversial score from a charge down that appeared offside. The halftime score read 31–5.

Second-Half Spark

Park’s brightest spell came just after the restart. Sam Spriddell crossed, thanks to an incisive break from James Clifford as did Jake Conway from 15m. But Crowborough’s composure and clinical finishing saw them add three late tries, sealing a comprehensive 50–15 victory.

Tucker’s Take

Post-match, Shae Tucker struck a reflective tone. While not overly critical, he reminded the squad that conceding 50 points is never a recipe for success. He urged players to reconnect with the deeper meaning of club rugby—why we play, what it means to wear the Charlton Park badge, and how to translate training ground sharpness into matchday execution.

Respect to Crowborough

Credit to Crowborough: well-drilled, well-coached, and deserving winners. We wish them all the best for the season ahead.

Next Fixture

Charlton Park travel to Sevenoaks 2nds on Saturday 11 October 2025, with a 3pm kick-off. Time to regroup, refocus, and reignite.