The game kicked off on a dry, sandy pitch, but as if adding to the drama, the rain soon poured down. Undeterred by the worsening conditions, Deal immediately showed their intent, applying relentless pressure and testing the Cranbrook defence.

The early stages were a real battle, with both teams defending well. While Cranbrook had the upper hand in the scrums and rucks, Deal looked far more dangerous with ball in hand. Their attacking intent paid off after 10 minutes when winger William Northcott confidently gathered a Cranbrook clearance kick, spotted a gap out wide, and raced over the try line to give Deal the lead.

Riding the momentum, Deal struck again moments later. Jonathan Mattison broke down the wing before executing a clever grubber kick through to Seb Mugford, who collected and touched down between the posts. Jonathan added the conversion, giving Deal a deserved 12-0 lead.

Cranbrook responded with a try of their own, but Deal remained in control, dictating play through aggressive tackling and smart game management. This dominance soon paid off when Hamish Cranmer powered through the defensive line, drawing in defenders before offloading to Aston Armstrong, who stormed over for Deal’s third try. Hamish calmly slotted the conversion to extend the lead.

Just before the break, Cranbrook took advantage of a quickly taken penalty to score again, converting to close the gap to 19-12 at halftime.

The second half saw both teams battle for control, capitalising on handling errors in the slippery conditions. Cranbrook managed to draw level with a converted try, but Deal’s response was immediate.

Straight from the restart, Deal piled on the pressure, pinning Cranbrook deep in their own half. Aston Armstrong came agonisingly close to scoring, but quick thinking from Hamish Cranmer saw him exploit space to crash over the line. He converted his own try, restoring Deal’s lead at 26-19.

With the game hanging in the balance, Cranbrook launched a dangerous counterattack, but a heroic last-ditch tackle from Isaac Wood denied them what looked like a certain try. This moment proved vital in keeping Deal ahead.

Sensing an opportunity to put the game beyond reach, Deal maintained their attacking intensity. A well-executed lineout deep in Cranbrook’s half allowed Aston Armstrong to draw in defenders, creating the perfect platform for Seb Mugford to strike again. He surged between the posts for his second try, with Jonathan Mattison adding the conversion to make it 33-19.

Cranbrook managed a late try from another quickly taken penalty, but Deal’s defensive grit held firm. In the final moments, Stanley Richards almost sealed the win in style with a blistering run down the wing, only to be stopped just short.

Final score: Deal 33 – Cranbrook 26

It was a thrilling and well-earned victory for Deal, showcasing their attacking prowess, defensive resilience, and teamwork. The game also highlighted areas for further improvement, but the performance was a fitting way to round off what has been a tough but rewarding season.

Man of the Match: Isaac Wood, whose two try-saving tackles proved decisive in keeping Deal ahead.

Try Scorers: Seb Mugford (2), William Northcott, Aston Armstrong, Hamish Cranmer.
Conversions: Hamish Cranmer (2), Jonathan Mattison (2).