Sunday 29 March 2009
Medway Cougars 12 - Maidstone 7
Tries: Fitzpatrick, Shears
Cons: Gowdy
This third game in a very long week for the Cougars saw a vastly stronger Maidstone side arrive at Priesfields looking to avenge the reverse they suffered earlier in the season. And they nearly pulled it off with victory only being snatched away from them by Medway with the final play of the game.
There was no sign of the frustration to come as Medway kicked off and settled into an early rhythm. Their early passing through the backs was slick and the forwards were on hand to drive play forward when required. However, all they had to show for their early pressure was a series of scrums inside the Maidstone 22 until three minutes of frantic play resulted in a pick up by Liam Fitzpatrick from the base of the ruck and a three metre drive to the line for an unconverted try. What followed was more of the same as Medway camped in the Maidstone half, creating opportunities that they either failed to take or were denied by some resolute Maidstone defending. As the half wore on the Cougars seemed to tire and Maidstone began to exert some pressure of their own leading to a couple of half-chances, but ultimately the half was to end at 5-0 to the Cougars.
Despite a number of changes, the second half saw Medway still off the pace and unable to impose themselves. Maidstone had gained the ascendancy by stifling the Cougars attack and as a consequence the Medway boys were becoming frustrated with an inability to extend their advantage. Some off the ball moments, unseen by the referee, helped increase their frustration and it came as no surprise as Maidstone broke through the defence to take them up and over the Cougars line. A pile of bodies was what greeted the referee with Maidstone claiming the ball was down while Fergus Stewart claimed he'd kept the ball up. However, the try was given after the referee consulted with the sporting Medway Coach who confirmed that the ball had been grounded. A conversion followed taking Maidstone into the lead by two points. With seven minutes left Medway dug deep and went back on the attack. Maidstone's defence became more and more desperate and they started giving away penalties. Their players sensed an important victory and continually asked the referee how long to go or questioned his every decision, sometimes when the decision had actually gone their way, as they sought to run the clock down. With about a minute left left Medway were awarded a penalty in what was arguably kicking distance. However, to the disbelief of the watching crowd they passed up the opportunity of the points as they tapped and went, shortly after being awarded another penalty 10 metres nearer the posts and almost directly in line. Surely they would kick for goal now but no, Stewart showed confidence untold as he tapped and went again. The Cougars back line got up together for possibly the first time in the match and quick hands saw the ball out to James Clarke who looked like he might make it to the line himself before putting the ball back inside to Adam Shears who ran in the try with just twenty seconds left on the clock. Luke Gowdy's successful conversion proved to be the last action of the game as the referee blew the final whistle for a final score of Medway Cougars 12 - Maidstone 7.
(Match Report by Jim Kennedy and Pat Nolan)
