Sunday 22 February 2009
Medway Cougars 22 - Cranbrook 7
Tries: Fenton 2, Stewart, Stone
Con: Gowdy
Cranbrook home or away represents one of the toughest fixtures in any Cougar season and this match was to prove no different despite both teams being robbed of key players due to injuries and the half-term holidays. After both teams played out that fantastic draw at the close of last season Medway were to taste victory here having come up with, and executed, a game plan that played to their strengths and nullified Cranbrooks.
Fine conditions greeted the players as Cranbrook kicked off and the tone was soon set for a fascinating match-up as Brook looked to secure quick ball and play an expansive game through their backs, whilst the Cougars sought to play a tight, bullish game, using the strength of their forwards to dictate the pace and structure of the game. The early exchanges saw Medway dominant as Cranbrook struggled to come to terms with an energetic forward display from Medway and Connor Reynolds almost ran in the first try of the game as he broke away to go over in the corner only to be pulled back for a knock on. Despite this set back Medway continued to pile the pressure on and were controlling the rucks and mauls. Even when Cranbrook were able to secure possession Medway's blitz defence gave them no time to think and they were forced into rushing their moves and mistakes followed. It therefore came as no surprise to those watching when the Cougars got their breakthrough and it was apt that it should come from the forwards. A driving maul deep in Brook territory took Medway up to and over the line where Max Fenton was on hand to dive over for a well deserved score. Following a narrowly missed conversion attempt by Dan Stone, the next phase of the game saw the battle continue with no quarter being given by either side. Possibly Cranbrook's best passage of play saw them get close to the Medway line but a covering kick and chase by Aaron Thompson averted the danger. Shortly afterwards Fergus Stewart made a superb run before being hauled down by solid Cranbrook defending. However, with half-time looming Cranbrook were unable to keep Medway out for a second try as Fenton, driving from the back of a maul, went over again for what was almost an exact replica of his first try. Unfortunately, Stone again narrowly missed with the conversion attempt and as the boys went in for the half-time interval the score stood at 10-0 to the Cougars.
Medway kicked off the second half and battle resumed. The Cougars have been guilty of letting their game plan slip as games wore on in the past but today they were brilliant, continuing to execute their tactics with ruthless efficiency. The forwards were all superb with Liam Fitzpatrick, Harrison Irons, Stewart and Fenton showing reserves of energy that the watching crowd didn't realise existed as, yelled on by Head Coach Mark ("Laces") Marriott, they continued to pick up and drive. When they didn't have the ball the quality of our backs shone through as they held firm over Brook with Adam Shears and Thompson leading the way. Cranbrook became frustrated as they failed to impose themselves on the game. Further tries from Stewart, picking the ball up from the back of a ruck and running through the Cranbrook defence to score, and Stone, following a Stewart steal from a Cranbrook line out, sealed a fine victory and Luke Gowdy was to add a further two points with the boot converting Stewart's try. Even the sin-binning of Jake Christodoulou following an off the ball incident and a subsequent Cranbrook try and conversion could not take the gloss off a supreme Cougars display and a fine 22-7 victory - well done lads.
(Match Report by Duncan Bailey, Mark Marriott and Pat Nolan)
