28 September 2008
Tunbridge Wells 24 - Medway Cougars 31
Tries: Chalmers, Hardinges 2, Gowdy, Fitzpatrick
Cons: Gowdy 3
The first match of the Cougars under 15 season was away to Tunbridge Wells, a well disciplined side who were going to be tough to beat. In glorious sunshine, the Cougars showed them they meant business right from the start with two telling runs from Jordan Gilvear in the opening exchanges before Tunbridge Wells turned over and kicked what proved to be the first of many long clearances into the Medway half. Medway won Tunbridge Wells' line out and Luke Gowdy cleared to half way. Continued pressure from Tunbridge Wells ended when a well worked ball down their backs set up a try for their winger. The kick-off return saw Gowdy breaking through the Tunbridge Wells defence again and when he was eventually taken to ground a good off load set up Connor Chalmers to score. The two unconverted tries were the only points of the first period which was closely contested with good work from both sides. For Medway Gowdy played well in an unfamiliar number 10 spot, Ben Wellard showed some intelligent scrum half play and Gilvear troubled the opposition backs with his penetrating runs.
For the second period, the Medway squad was almost entirely replaced but the players vying for first team selection showed that they were equal to the task. Gilvear moved into the backs and soon broke through and was very well supported by his forwards to get within 10 metres of the Tunbridge Wells line. The break from the resultant scrum found its way out to Nick Hardinges to score. Hardinges very nearly scored again from the kick off with a blistering 50 metre dash down the wing but was eventually stopped. A few minutes later there was a breakaway try from the Tunbridge Wells solid pacey winger who obviously enjoyed scoring under the posts. This and two further converted tries saw Medway slip to 24-10 down as the game entered the final twenty minute session.
Previous Cougar sides may have crumbled at this stage but this group is made of sterner stuff. The third session saw Medway come out very positive. Some strong work from Fergus Stewart, again well supported by his forwards provided the opening for Gowdy to score and subsequently convert. Next up excellent pressure from the Medway forwards gave Sam Cornell the opportunity to cut inside and make ground. He was stopped just under the posts but the support was there again and Liam Fitzpatrick took it over for a well deserved try which Gowdy again converted. Hardinges scored his second of the game shortly afterwards and Gowdy's conversion made it three converted unanswered scores in the final twenty minutes to give the Cougars a well deserved 31-24 victory.. The Medway forwards gained ground in every maul and scrum and kept possession well. Tunbridge Wells pressed well but were kept out by solid defensive work typified by a solid tackle by Cornell on the Tunbridge Wells winger short of the try line. All in all a very good morning's rugby and a very promising start to the season.
