Medway were comfortable winners of their first league game of the new season scoring five first half tries and four in the second.
The local outfit welcomed four newcomers to their side, Alfie Orris and Tom Sandison who have graduated from the development squad plus Pete Walsh and Henry Hall, who have joined Medway from another Kent club this season. They all fitted into the side very well and overall the team produced an excellent performance scoring some quality tries with most aspects of their game functioning well.
Ginger Longstaff was supremo for the day as Head Coach Taff Gwilliam was taken unwell before the game, we wish him a speedy recovery. Longstaff as one would expect, was short and sharp in his pre-match speech, but it had the desired effect as the home team tore into their opponents. Harvey kicked a simple penalty after two minutes and then the pack drove Heathfield back off their own scrum ball to win a penalty try, 10 – 0 after only six minutes. Further tries came after 14, 27, 30 and 35 minutes scored by Beaumont, Stubbington, Hall and Fernyhough. Half time score 32 – 3.
The beginning of the second half was somewhat disjointed as multiple injury stoppages prevented either side from gaining any rhythm. Medway got the score board moving again after 10 minutes when Billy Humphry crashed over from the back of an advancing scrum. Further scores came on 24, 33 and 39 minutes scored by Tom Sandison, Fernyhough, and a final touch down by Charlie Wardzynski. Dan Harvey kicked five conversions to complete the scoring.
Medway were satisfied with their performance with Tom Beaumont and Meto Matappa getting mentions in the man of the match selection, however this week’s award, for his tireless work and leadership in the pack went to Joe Fernyhough.
Next week Medway face the difficult task of Deal and Bettehanger away.
Medway’s team;
Matappa, W Sandison, O’Leary, Stubbington, Fernyhough, Beaumont, Huntley, Humphrey, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Hall, Walsh, Garofalo, Wardzynski, Sub; Petch, T Sandison, Humphrey.