ARCHIVE

Old Cryptians rubber stamped their promotion with a fine victory over spirited opposition. From one to fifteen the away the side were superior throughout and deserved their victory in a win which caps a fine season.

The home team started the strongest, however, and put Cryptians under pressure early doors, with good defence keeping them at bay. This was epitomised in a huge tackle by loose head prop Chay Bridges but he was off side and Elizabethans converted the penalty.

Bridges scrummaged well all day, however, and this gave scrum half Rob Turtles an easy ride to release his back line who capitalised on some excellent possesion. The first try came after a scything break from in form outside centre Gary Mcinnes who popped inside to winger Kevin Mcdonald to touch down. Young Mcinnes has been excellent all season since his switch from hooker and his difference in class showed up today. At hooker, Luke Thomson hit his men all day long and has really made the position his own.

The second try was a piece of marvellous opportunism. Pressure from openside Chris Price saw the Elizabethans fly half drop the ball only for number 8 Gareth Butler to slide in and score. Marc Blackford converted to the delight of the crowd.

Price was on the scoresheet minutes later. Neil Brookes showed his pace down the left wing leaving Steve Crowther way behind. Price took the inside pass, stepped the full back and finished superbly.

Cryptians then went quite for a twenty minute spell which took them into the second half. During this time Elizabethans managed two three point scores in the form of a penalty and an excellent drop goal.

But it wasnt long before normal service resumed. Neil Sturgess scored after some excellent work from Bridges in the loose. He released Reg Mchugh who made good ground before popping inside for the supporting Bridges to give the long raking pass to fly half James Woollin who found Sturgess to score. Blackford converted as he has done all season long.

The next try was lucky. After at least two forward passes and some crossing in mid field, Full Back Marc Stubbs went in for the score, well supported by Dean Johnson and Spit Barton.

And the final word went to captain Andrew Royce who touch down under the posts to cap Cryptians finest ever season. The mercurial Blackford added the extras and then the Champagne corks were popped. Cryptians are a club on the move, this being their first ever promotion. God Bless Their Souls.