On an extremely windy October afternoon, Medway were blown away by a clinical Deal and Bettseshanger side in the first 30 minutes of this game.

D & B scored 24 unanswered points in the first 27 minutes to clinch the important bonus point and then the Medway youngsters did well to stem the tide, and prevent the home team from scoring again during the rest of the game. Luke Burns scored two second half tries for Medway, but overall the visitors did not have quite enough fire power nor composure, to overcome such a large deficit.

Deal and Betteshanger sat second in the league before today’s game, with a perfect unbeaten record and were clearly fired up to keep that winning run going. Medway on the other hand, came out of the traps slowly and made a number of errors that presented field position and possession to D & B to help them take their lead. The conditions were extremely difficult and the inexperienced Medway lads took too long to adapt from their normal expansive style.

Whilst Medway contributed to their own downfall, Deal and Betteshanger’s tactics were spot-on and during that first half hour they played with patience and power and executed very well, scoring four tries from four visits into the Medway red zone. They repeatedly attacked around the fringes then used their elusive fly half to step inside to get behind the drifting defence.

After 30 minutes the penny seemed to drop for the Medway boys, and a powerful forwards drive was just thwarted by the home team’s defence on their try line. Sam Garofalo then fielded an up and under, did extremely well on the counter attack and released Sam Catlin who was again stopped just short of the try line. Despite a good ten minutes, Medway were unable to get on the score board, and the half time score remained 24 – 0 in D & B favour.

Medway spent much of the second period in D & B territory but were unable to secure sufficient first phase possession to really put the home team under pressure. At key moments, and in key positions the home team were able to steal possession and clear their lines. Medway’s tactics were better, and their forwards crossed the home team’s try line on two occasions only to be held up by the committed home defence. Luke Burns scored a good try on 17 minutes, converted by Wardzynski, and then got his second try in the closing minutes.

Given there were only six players from the Medway team that played against D & B last season, we have to remind ourselves to be patient as the boys gain experience and develop their game plan and get used to playing together. Overall, D & B were worthy winners, played the conditions much better, and now sit top of the table having maintained their 100 percent record this season.

Medway team:

Petch; Cooley; Reddish; Taylor; Easton; Huntley; Johnson; Samuela; Dance; Wardzynski; Catlin; Burns; Fussell; Liua’ana; Garofalo; Brice; Flanagan; Valevou.

Medway’s next game is at home to Sevenoaks in the League on Saturday 2^nd November 2013.

On a wet and dreary day Medway travelled to Crowborough to compete in the first round of the Intermediate Cup.

Team selection included numerous changes to enable coaches Gwilliam and Ginger to have a look at different players and new combinations. Medway played well for the first 50 minutes and established a nine point lead through the boot of Wardzynski, but Crowborough hit back and dominated the final 30 and very nearly did enough to win the game.

From the kick off, the opening exchanges set the pattern for the game with both teams struggling to come to terms with the wet and slippery conditions and making mistakes in possession. Medway’s pressure on the Boro line out, good loose play and excellent kicking game from young fly half Charlie Wardzynski enabled them regularly put pressure on the home team’s line. Boro were penalised at regular intervals and Wardzynski kicked penalties on 10, 20 and 27 minutes to open up the nine point lead. Full back Sam Garofalo and winger Leo Liua’ana looked dangerous on the counter attack and both came close to creating tries. New centre Valevou looked strong in attack and defence.

Crowborough’s first attempt on goal came on the 37 minute mark which was narrowly missed, Wardzynski then also pushed a long range effort wide, and therefore the half time score remained 9 – 0 in Medway’s favour.

The visitors picked up where they left off in the opening period of the second half dominating field position and exerting good pressure on the Boro’s line. Unfortunately they were unable to convert pressure into points and penalties were missed on 10 and 13 minutes. As the half went on, Crowborough’s front five began to take a grip of the game and slowly starve Medway of the ball.

As the pressure grew, so did the penalty count against Medway. No.8 Fiu Samuela was sin binned on 23 minutes, and soon after Crowborough went for the a push over try, Medway infringed again and the ref awarded the penalty try making the score 9 – 7 with 16 minutes remaining. Immediately from the kick off Boro again worked their way down field and set up camp on the Medway line and only spirited determined defence by Medway kept the home team at bay.

With Samuela back on the field and three minutes of the game remaining, the ref then sin binned Medway’s prop Sam Brice. With both front row replacements used and injured, the final few scrums were uncontested. Despite constant pressure from Boro, the fourteen men of Medway kept the home team at bay for the final three minutes and on balance of the whole game just deserved the win.

Special mention goes to David French’s first half line out steal, and Burnsey’s new boots. Well done to the whole team for another determined performance on a difficult day and especially for surviving the final 15 minutes with only fourteen players. All of the newcomers performed well and put their hand up for selection in the forthcoming league matches.

Medway team:

Petch; Humphrey; Reddish; Taylor; Easton; Beaumont; Johnson; Samuela; Dance; Wadsworth; Garofalo; Burns; Fussell; Liua’ana; Best; Cooley; Huntely; Valevou.