BackSat 17 Oct 2026 · Counties 1 Kent
1st XVCrowborough
Tries: A Hart (2), L Twyman, J Browne (2), J Morgan, B Lockett, T Best, A Georgiou, C ThatcherConversions: T Best (6)
62
31
Lions Roar Back Home with Nine-Try Victory Over Crowborough
Adrian Nelson
After three consecutive away fixtures, Deal & Betteshanger's Lions finally returned to familiar territory for their first home game of the season, and they certainly gave the home supporters plenty to cheer about.
A crowd of around 350 turned out to welcome the Lions home, with the added attraction of seeing the team run out for the first time in their smart new playing strip. And with nine tries on the board, the Lions made sure the new kit got off to a winning start.
Before the rugby got underway, 40 guests enjoyed a cracking pre-match lunch of steak and ale pie with vegetables and toasties, followed by apple pie and a bottomless cheeseboard. Whether the bottomless cheese was entirely responsible for some of the more enthusiastic touchline support remains open to debate, but everyone was certainly well fuelled for the afternoon ahead!
Once the whistle blew, the Lions wasted little time getting into their stride, although it was Crowborough who struck first with a try after just five minutes.
Deal responded in style, with Hart crossing after 11 minutes, followed almost immediately by Twyman on 13 minutes. Browne added another on 21 minutes, before Morgan went over on 25 minutes and Lockett joined the party on 29 minutes.
With Best adding the extras from the tee, the Lions were playing some entertaining attacking rugby and giving the home crowd plenty to applaud.
To their credit, Crowborough were never going to roll over. Fielding five 18-year-olds in their side, the visitors showed tremendous spirit and determination throughout the afternoon. Despite the scoreline, their young players kept battling, tackling and looking for opportunities right up to the final whistle.
The second half saw the Lions continue where they had left off. Best crossed for a try on 46 minutes, Browne grabbed his second on 50 minutes, and Georgiou added another on 55 minutes.
Crowborough continued to fight back, but Thatcher crossed on 68 minutes before Hart completed his brace on 70 minutes, with Best continuing to contribute from the kicking tee.
The visitors still had plenty left in the tank, however, and refused to let the Lions have everything their own way. Crowborough kept pushing forward, adding further scores late in the game, including tries in the 74th and 80th minutes.
It was a spirited finish from a young side who deserve considerable credit for never giving up.
For Deal, it was a thoroughly enjoyable return to home soil. There were some excellent passages of attacking rugby, plenty of tries and, inevitably, a few defensive moments that will give the coaches something to talk about at training.
But with a healthy crowd, a successful pre-match lunch, a new strip and a convincing victory, there was plenty to celebrate.
The Lions will be delighted to have opened their home campaign with a win, while Crowborough can take real encouragement from the attitude and commitment shown by their youngsters.
And as for the 40 lunch guests, after steak pie, apple pie and unlimited cheese, it's probably fair to say that some of them covered considerably less ground than the players!
A great afternoon of grassroots rugby, good food, good company and a welcome return to winning ways at home.
Up the Lions! ?
Before the rugby got underway, 40 guests enjoyed a cracking pre-match lunch of steak and ale pie with vegetables and toasties, followed by apple pie and a bottomless cheeseboard. Whether the bottomless cheese was entirely responsible for some of the more enthusiastic touchline support remains open to debate, but everyone was certainly well fuelled for the afternoon ahead!
Once the whistle blew, the Lions wasted little time getting into their stride, although it was Crowborough who struck first with a try after just five minutes.
Deal responded in style, with Hart crossing after 11 minutes, followed almost immediately by Twyman on 13 minutes. Browne added another on 21 minutes, before Morgan went over on 25 minutes and Lockett joined the party on 29 minutes.
With Best adding the extras from the tee, the Lions were playing some entertaining attacking rugby and giving the home crowd plenty to applaud.
To their credit, Crowborough were never going to roll over. Fielding five 18-year-olds in their side, the visitors showed tremendous spirit and determination throughout the afternoon. Despite the scoreline, their young players kept battling, tackling and looking for opportunities right up to the final whistle.
The second half saw the Lions continue where they had left off. Best crossed for a try on 46 minutes, Browne grabbed his second on 50 minutes, and Georgiou added another on 55 minutes.
Crowborough continued to fight back, but Thatcher crossed on 68 minutes before Hart completed his brace on 70 minutes, with Best continuing to contribute from the kicking tee.
The visitors still had plenty left in the tank, however, and refused to let the Lions have everything their own way. Crowborough kept pushing forward, adding further scores late in the game, including tries in the 74th and 80th minutes.
It was a spirited finish from a young side who deserve considerable credit for never giving up.
For Deal, it was a thoroughly enjoyable return to home soil. There were some excellent passages of attacking rugby, plenty of tries and, inevitably, a few defensive moments that will give the coaches something to talk about at training.
But with a healthy crowd, a successful pre-match lunch, a new strip and a convincing victory, there was plenty to celebrate.
The Lions will be delighted to have opened their home campaign with a win, while Crowborough can take real encouragement from the attitude and commitment shown by their youngsters.
And as for the 40 lunch guests, after steak pie, apple pie and unlimited cheese, it's probably fair to say that some of them covered considerably less ground than the players!
A great afternoon of grassroots rugby, good food, good company and a welcome return to winning ways at home.
Up the Lions! ?
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