Tottonians’ hopes of a run in the Intermediate Cup came to an end at their Water Lane headquarters.

Several first team regulars were unavailable for Totts through injury, while others were helping prop Danny Drake enjoy his stag celebrations.

Crowborough showed they were going to be a handful when they took the lead after five minutes from a scrum on Totts’ 22. They turned over following a ruck two metres out and struck with a converted try.

And they crossed the line again five minutes later to go 12-0 up, a lead they held until half-time despite spending much time defending and receiving the first of several yellow cards.

Halfway through the second half Crowborough got a second yellow for a spear tackle and Totts ran the penalty. After a series of rucks Steve Sexton crashed over and Bryn Marshall added the extras.

The try was followed by a third yellow card for the visitors, for a high tackle, and Totts battered away at their opponents’ line before a fourth card was issued – Crowborough being down to 13 men at one point.

With a few minutes remaining Cowborough turned over the ball to feed their offside centre who sprinted 60 metres under the posts for a converted try to seal their win 19-7 victory.

A Totts spectator said: “Crowborough fully deserved their win built on their excellent defence holding Totts to one try despite four yellow cards.”