Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 6 December 2009

Blackheath 29 - Medway 12

Tries: Fenton, Hardinges

Con: Wardzynski

Cougars Squad:

After two weeks off, enforced by poor and wet weather conditions Medway Cougars faced a third week off (going crazy without rugby!) after Beckenham cancelled the game on Saturday afternoon due to flooded pitches. Then up stepped the magician, Patrick Nolan, who answered the call of "Challenge Nolan" and found us a game on Blackheath's new all weather pitch on Sunday morning! With strains of "paper roses" in the background Pat melted the phone lines and secured the fixture. There was some concern that a bunch of under 16s might not get out of bed on a Sunday and to Blackheath for a 9.30am kick off but 21 lads braved the continuing downpour and the game was "on".

A slow start by Medway saw them concede 6 penalties in the first few minutes as they struggled to adapt to the referee's interpretation of the ruck but the Medway discipline was good and despite being hemmed in their own 22 for almost 20 minutes Blackheath only scored a try, which was converted and a penalty due to the solid defence. 10-0 after 20 mins. Medway then settled and began to put some phases together, the Captain Jack Johnston immense at openside stifling much of Heath's ball ably supported by Liam Fitzpatrick and Ben Lazell in the back row, Heath could not stretch the lead. Then the powerhouse of George Simpson, Harrison Irons and Tom Whitnell began to get the better of Heath's front row and centres Fergus Stewart and Conor Chalmers began to make some dents in the Heath defence. However, just before half time Medway slipped in concentration and conceded a shoal of penalties to give Heath ascendancy and Heath scored on the half time 19-0.

At the half the players and coaches refused to slip into self-pity and decided to stick with the game plan and re-double effort and step up. Max Fenton then played the best 10 minutes of his career and carried the ball with his 2nd row mate Matthew Kennedy for yard after hard yard eventually battering the Heath line and Fenton crashing over. Gowdy narrowly missed the extras 19-5. Medway, tails up drove at the Heath, replacements Jake Christodoulou, Lewis Marriott, David McManus and Thomas Rawlins brought fresh legs and some great flowing rugby, linking Charlie Wardzynski at 10 with Ben Wellard and James Clarke, allowed the ball to get to Nick Hardinges at 15 who ran a mazey line to (eventually) score under the posts after having to brush his long hair out of his eyes to see the try line. Wardzynski added the extras and at 19-12 Medway fancied their chances with 10 minutes to go. Heath stepped up, some vigourous exchanges at the ruck saw another string of penalties (against both sides) with Heath adapting and reacting quicker to score 10 unanswered points in the final few minutes. Medway thanked Blackheath for the late arranged game and look forward to a return match at Medway before the end of the season. The Man of the Match was Nick Hardinges whose rock solid defence at fullback and attacking runs were a constant threat to Heath. Not bad for a Hooker! A great game. C'mon Medway!

(Match Report by Mark Marriott)

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