Weakened Cranleigh beaten by promotion-chasing Old Rutlishians

Due to unavailability and two late withdrawals, the Cranes fielded a weakened team with some players playing out of position.

Within three minutes of kick off, Cranleigh were awarded a penalty on the halfway line which was splendidly converted by Curtis Beecroft.

But over the next 15 minutes Old Ruts, who have only lost two games this season, started to put pressure on the Cranes.

Sustained defending took its toll and Cranleigh began to drop off in tackles.

The Ruts fly half capitalised on this by breaking free to score under the posts.

Within another ten minutes, Rutlishians overturned Cranleigh at a ruck and at pace put their left wing in for a try.

And, having conceded a penalty, Cranleigh’s luck went downhill.

The Cranes lost a prop to injury and swiftly lost three out of four of their own line-out balls.

Old Rutlishians added to the score with a well drilled move by their backs.

The hosts expertly created gaps in the Cranleigh defence to add another try.