4 December 2006
The rain almost prevented the match going ahead on Sunday but as the morning drew out conditions improved and the Medway Under 13’s entertained Canterbury Under 13’s on a very heavy pitch.
Canterbury started the stronger of the two sides having brought their development squad for a training/match day at Priestfields. Canterbury scored early on and converted the try. The home sides tackling then improved as did Medway’s attacking options and a superb individual try was taken by Jordan, running at least half the length of the pitch, to score under the posts.
This was converted by the Captain Luke to draw scores level. Canterbury then forced Medway to continue to defend time and time again against the Canterbury waves of attack with Canterbury eventually scoring a very good second try unconverted to take the score to 7-10 at half time.
At the change Medway enjoyed the benefits of a wind and bright sunshine on their backs and began to play a more flowing and fluid game.
Some excellent kicking for field play by Charlie allowed the Medway forwards to press Canterbury back in their own half and Charlie then rounded a move off through the hands of Sam N and Sam C to score himself which went unconverted.
The Medway forwards then began to dominate and secured plenty of ball for the backs to cut loose with Lewis M scoring a wonderful try with a step inside to beat the cover and to dive for the line, again unconverted.
Matthew was the pick of the forwards who continued to work very hard and then Dominic who worked tirelessly as a flanker and as a centre in the second half (many positional changes were made by Medway as it was a development day) scored two good tries successively following a long series of pressure by Medway.
No further conversions were secured by Medway and then up stepped Robert who completed a rehearsed backs move taking the ball at pace, running at a space in the Canterbury defence and effectively sealing the victory for Medway.
All credit must go to the Canterbury boys who would not concede the game easily, fought back to score the last try of the day, a deserved try from a penalty, to complete the game, Medway 32 points Canterbury 17 points.
