Old Priorians knocked Medway out of the Intermediate Cup on Saturday in atrocious weather conditions and on a very muddy pitch at Priestfields.
Despite the loss against a good side who sit second in the London North West 2, the local lads can take heart from a good performance that, on another day, could easily have been enough to win the game.
Medway chose to play up the slope and into the howling wind and driving rain in the first half and executed the game plan well. Their defence was again solid, and when in possession they used the forwards and centres to punch holes and make important yardage.
Old Priorians’ ball retention was good, but they rarely looked threatening and struggled to breach the home team’s robust defence. The Old boys did take the lead on 14 minutes through a penalty, but Medway hit back on 23 minutes when following a positive passage of play, the forwards took a scrum against the head, and number 8 Doug Ebanks, scored a try wide on the left.
Somewhat fortunately, Old Prionians regained the lead after 31 minutes when Medway twice failed to deal with tap back from the line out and the visitors were gifted with the simplest of tries. Half time score 8 – 5 to the Old Boys, and Medway looked forward to the significant assistance of the elements in the second period.
Unfortunately, thereafter things didn’t go quite to plan! Medway conceded three penalties in the first three minutes of the second half and on each occasion the Old Boys progressed up the field, kicking the third from right in front of the posts to extend their lead to 11-5. Things got worse as the local lads just couldn’t do anything without conceding a penalty.
It is hard to believe but during the whole of the second half, the referee awarded the Old Boys fourteen penalties and only one to Medway, and that didn’t come until the 39th minute!
As things became desperate, Medway threw caution to the wind and a handling error on 37 minutes cost them a try which effectively sealed the game for the Old Boys, 18 – 5. As the barrage of penalties dried up in the last few minutes of the game, Medway were able to exert good pressure on the Old Boys line and Ollie Best scored a consolation try following a good handling move by the three quarters.
So, well done to Old Priorians, who were gracious in victory. They played the conditions well and their ball retention and work at the breakdown was very good.
Despite the result, there were a number of positives to take from the game for Medway. The forwards again showed signs of improvement at the set piece. Richard Petch got through a huge work load and made tackle after tackle. Samuela, Beaumont, Easton and Reddish all impressed, and Billy Humphrey had his best game of the season thus far.
Young Charlie Wardzynski is looking more and more comfortable at full back and again showed flair and strength when in possession. Another youngster, Conor Chalmers is also doing very well and holding off stiff competition from the more senior wingers.
Medway team: Cooley, Humphrey, Petch, Easton, Reddish, Beaumont, Samuela, Ebanks, Dance, Best, Liua’ana, Fussell, Burns, Chalmers, Wardzynski, Weobley, Flanagan, Catlin, Brice.
Next game is away against Crowborough in the league on Saturday 4th January 2014.