19 October 2008
Blackheath 24 - Medway 7
Try: Clarke
Con: Gowdy
It was Sunday 27th January 2008 when Medway U15s last tasted defeat. However, the Cougars finally lost that proud unbeaten record in South East London in a game between two well matched sides that was ultimately settled by Blackheath's more competitive edge. The Cougars had taken this fixture at very late notice following the cancellation of their home tie against Tonbridge Juddians. Therefore a slightly smaller squad than usual made the trip to Blackheath who had kindly agreed to play host at late notice. After three wins on the trot, great things were expected of the Cougars and the watching crowd was not disappointed. Although the final score was not in their favour, the team again played well, strong in the rucks and mauls and did not give up against a team with a couple of very fast, strong players who ultimately made the difference.
The first of three sessions started with some good rucking from both sides but an unseen offside infringement on the Medway 22 enabled Blackheath to steal the ball, break through the Medway backs and sprint to the line for the first try of the day. Medway fought back through an industrious backline exemplified through the efforts of Lewis Marriott who continually made himself available to keep the ball recycling and they were to get some reward after some very enterprising runs from relative newcomer James Clarke in support made good inroads into the Blackheath half. A bizarre off the ball tackle resulted in a Medway penalty which gave them the foundation to release Clarke who pushed through for a well deserved first try for the club. Mister reliable Luke Gowdy converted to put the Cougars 7-5 up. A few minutes later Charlie Wardzynski picked up a loose ball and made good ground before chipping over the backs, unfortunately for Medway, Blackheath gathered and punted a long high ball back into their half. A very difficult bounce beat the full back and Blackheath claimed the ball and a converted try to put them back in the lead 12-7 which is how the period finished.
A few changes were made for the second period and straight away captain Fergus Stewart made his presence felt with a telling drive, his efforts supported and equalled by Jack Johnston. There was some strong, aggressive play in this period with Wardzynski putting the pressure on finding touch 15 metres from the Blackheath try line with a very well struck penalty kick. The resultant move saw Medway held up just two metres short. Blackheath cleared and gathered which they capitalised on as they engineered an overlap on the wing in the next move, pushing the score up to 19-7. The competition between the two sides was fierce and it was no surprise when both sides were reduced to 14 as each lost a player to the sin-bin. However, this did not detract from a cracking game of rugby and there continued to be good exchanges in the closing minutes of the session but with Medway guilty of losing too many turnovers in the rucks as Blackheath forwards seemed to appear from all angles to steal, they eventually conceded a further try to see the period finish at 24-7.
The Cougars had turned over worst deficits this season and again to their credit they did not give up. They started the last period very strongly and set up a rolling maul which gained around 30 metres but couldn't make it across the line as Blackheath defended resolutely before turning over and clearing their lines. The next Cougar attack saw them back within site of the Blackheath try line. This time they engineered some space and a flurry of Medway forwards took the ball over the line for what seemed like Medway's second try of the match. However, they were to be denied as the referee brought them back for a knock-on and a 5 metre scrum which Blackheath used to clear their lines again. Some fine tackling from Ben Wellard now playing scrum-half, prevented a Blackheath break through and soon afterwards, Sam Nicholls who had been unlucky with a bad bounce in the first period collected a difficult through ball and kicked clear well under pressure. The last period finished with neither team making much ground as Medway dug deep and played with the commitment that is going to make them difficult to beat this season.
Yet again Head Coach Mark Marriott was full of praise for his troops but the final word goes to the Blackheath Coach Mark Twomey who summed up the game rightly with this comment: "It was a really enjoyable morning with some hard, fiercely contested rugby. The score line flattered us [Blackheath] a bit - it was close all the way."
