CROWTHORNE RFC suffered a third BB&O Premier defeat in four games as they were edged out 7-0 at Tadley Tigers.

In a surprisingly low-scoring affair considering the perfect overhead conditions and propensity for both sides to play open, attacking and normally high-scoring affairs, this encounter turned into a real scrap.

The home side applied pressure early on and asked serious questions of Crowthorne’s defensive patterns, although the Crows proved up to the task in the early exchanges.

From the off it had become apparent the game was going to be won and lost around the breakdown, with excellent competition over the ball from both sides, but with this battle came penalties from both sides with neither side taking the advantage.

The game featured a high number of scrums as both sides coughed up handling errors, with the two packs competing fiercely for first half advantage.

Although the game was very much a forward arm wrestle and a clash of two physical back lines, the decisive moment came when Tadley scrum half Jake Cottrell produced a smart bit of play in a defensive maul, wrestling the ball free and passing to second row Pete Rosier to attack the open space on the blind side.

Good support from wing Tom Jeffery seduced the covering defender, allowing the inside to open up for Rosier to glide in under the posts for the try, which was converted to make the score 7-0.

As the physical encounter continued, Tigers lost lock Tom Altman who was strecthered off as Crowthorne fought their way back into the game.

However, Tigers generally dominated possession but with little reward, individual errors getting the better of the home side and penalties not being punished with points.

One attempt for the three points on the back of Crowthorne ill-discipline saw fly half Chris Dennison came close, only to hit the post, and the chasing Jeffery nearly took the rebound.

The second half continued to play out like the first, the midfield battles becoming even more intense.

The hosts continued to control possession but a combination of heroic Crowthorne defence and the Tigers’ inability to convert scoring opportunities set up a tense final 10 minutes.

At this stage Crowthorne threw the kitchen sink at their unbeaten opponents, but the Tigers defence held strong to chalk their first clean sheet of the season.

The bonus point secured by the Crows lifts them above Wheatley and into ninth place in the table.

They do not have a game this weekend, and return to action at home to unbeaten table-toppers Abingdon on Saturday, October 24.

l CROWTHORNE Ladies host Richmond 3thirds on Sunday (3pm).