The match against rivals Chichester marked the opening of Medway’s newly extended clubhouse.

Over 100 guests were sat down for lunch alone and this ensured a large crowd to watch the game between two of last season’s top performers from London Division 1.

On a breezy but dry day a re-shuffled Medway side played into the elements first. They were immediately under pressure when a clearance kick was charged down. Subsequent phase play saw Medway give away a simple penalty at the breakdown and the visitors took the lead 3-0. 

Almost immediately from the kick off another charge down saw the Chichester backs kick ahead behind the Medway defence to score a try under the posts. The conversion was good and the home side had suffered a real setback after just 4 minutes of play. The large crowd were stunned.

Chichester went close again a few minutes later when a handling error gave them another try scoring opportunity but it went begging. Medway were on the back foot and needed to get into the game. This was provided by the forwards when at the first scrum of the match near the Medway line a wounded Medway pack drove Chichester off their own ball to win a penalty and clear their lines emphatically.

Medway were now getting into the game and following good lineout ball and drives at the Chichester defence won a penalty which Ryan Redman kicked to make the score 10-3.

Medway continued to press their visitors and should have scored from a close range scrum but Chichester managed to win a penalty and avoid conceding a try.

From the subsequent line out Chichester looked to attack but Medway defend it well and win a penalty at the breakdown. Redman lands a fine kick to bring the score back to 10-6.

The home side were coming more into the game and on 29 minutes Medway were attacking the Chichester line when a deliberate knock on from their prop saw him put in the sin bin for 10 minutes and Redman was on target again to narrow the score to 10-9.

With the visitors now a man short for the remainder of the half Medway pressed hard and thought they had scored a try under the posts but the referee adjudged a double movement and 10-9 remained the score until half time.

The second half saw Medway struggle to find any continuity in their play and Chichester forwards led by their No 8 were taking the game to the home side with some success. They were rewarded when a good scrummage from the visitors saw them win a deserved penalty and it was duly kicked to extend their lead to 13-9.

Medway were stung into action. They pushed Chichester back and were becoming more fluent in their game as the changes settled into their unfamiliar roles.

Chichester were defending but conceding too many penalties. Redman slotted excellent kicks on 54 and 57 minutes to put Medway ahead 15-13 for the first time. To compound this for the visitors another player was sent to the sin bin for repeated team infringements at the breakdown.

Medway pressed for tries but Chichester defended well. They managed to prevent any further score during the sin bin period. Medway although dominating field position were struggling to break the Chichester defence down.

On 69 minutes Medway finally crossed the visitors line. Good phase play with quickly re-cycled ball saw the visitors defence narrowed and good hands by the backs put Zac Garrett away who finished sharply in the corner. Redman added the conversion and Medway led 22-13.

Medway continued to press from the kick off and following more good continuity won another penalty. Redman in fine kicking form knocked it over to push the lead out to 25-13.

In the dying moments of the game Chichester never gave up and ran the ball at every opportunity. This endeavour was rewarded with Medway conceding back to back penalties and a subsequent strong scrummage from Chichester saw them manage to score a fine try under Medway’s posts. With the conversion Chichester had secured a losing bonus point.

The last action of the game came from the kick off with Chichester kicking the ball out deep in their 22m settling for the losing bonus point.

Coach Taff Gwilliam said “we had two tough games last season with Chichester and today was no exception. We struggled to find continuity and credit must go to the visitors for the pressure they exerted. We are pleased to win and maintain our good start but we also know there are areas of our game we need to improve”