Match abandoned with Croydon 33-0 ahead

By Trevor Davies

Hopefully the result will stand

This match was a stark illustration of the massive disparity in ability of clubs in this league.

Having lost heavily in their previous 3 games, Croydon were far superior to Guildfordians in all facets of the game & would have scored many more points had the referee not had to abandon the game with 25 minutes to go.

Guildfordians had travelled without a front row replacement & it was immediately obvious that their starting front 3 was not up to the task. Croydon shunted them back off their first set scrum & a text book set of phase moved ended with Jake Henderson crossing with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Jack Bond added the easy conversion.

From the re-start, a Guildfordian second row failed to get up from the ensuing ruck & eventually departed with severe concussion.

Croydon continued to dominate play, winning every scrum, on either head & wasted a couple of clear overlaps before James Griffiths pounced on a clever chip ahead for try No. 2.

After 25 minutes, the referee decided to go for uncontested scrums on safety grounds. No problems with that decision, but it did mean the visitors were able to clear their line from a number of 5 metre scrums, which, in other circumstances, would have probably lead to a push over try for Croydon.

Croydon continued to dominate after the break & sewed the game up within 12 minutes. Jack Bond chipped ahead & skipper Billy Simons collected to charge over for a typical try. Then a lovely series of plays culminated in Jonny Humphrey
crossing.
Then Jack Bond scored try No. 5.

With 25 minutes to go, it was a question of ' how many', but a Guildford forward went down in a heap & left the field with a leg injury & from the re-start, another Guildford forward collapsed with a dislocated knee & possible broken leg.

Play was suspended as the ambulance was recalled. Rain was falling, light was fading, players were freezing & the referee, Phil Stevens, who officiated impeccably all afternoon had no option but to abandon play, with the agreement of both captains.

There had not been a single instance of foul or aggressive play by either side, but the visitors were left with 14 fit players & 2 in A & E.

If equity prevails, Croydon should be awarded 5 points for the game, but we await the decision of the League for confirmation.