2 April 2008
Under floodlights on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 an evening kick-off saw a return fixture that the Howard School won the previous season narrowly and a determined Medway under 14s side who ultimately took the victory.
The Medway Cougars do not always start a match with passion and pace but on this cool and drizzly evening they did just that taking the game instantly to the Howard School who were left dizzy and confused after 5 minutes following total forward domination and a very well taken try by Tom B at number 8 converted by Luke and then immediately followed by quick ruck ball from the next kick off. The ball spun through the hand for Sam C who scored the next try to make the score 12 nil after 5 minutes.
The Howard School then re-grouped and following some fantastic driving play by Liam of the Howard School, they managed to re-claim some territory and put their stamp on the game over the next 15 minutes.
Medway Cougars however kept up the pressure through their game plan which was to keep the ball away from the big and very powerful Howard forwards and as a result of quick ruck ball and bullet passes to the wings 2 more tries were scored through Aaron and Connor R, making the score 22 nil at half time as the tries were unconverted.
The second half saw Howard come back into the match and they achieved a well worked try through their large powerful forwards in a 5 minute spell in the second half which showed why they are one of the strongest school teams in the area but with their forwards tiring and Medway having a squad of 25 boys, fresh legs meant that 2 further tries from some fantastic all round fast and powerful rugby from Aaron and newcomer Adam put the score at 32-5.
Luke capped off a fine game with the conversion, his running was a constant source of irritation for the Howard defence and final mention must go to the Medway half backs, Ben W at scrum half and Charlie who totally controlled the game from half back, helped by their hard working forwards and the captain of the Cougars, Fergus was heard to conclude the evening whilst the team applauded the supporting parents and crowd by saying "it was a privilege to captain you tonight, well done lads".
