Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 1 November 2009

Medway 10 - Sevenoaks 14

Tries: Irons, Wardzynski

Cougars Squad:

Well what a contrast to last week! Heavy rain and driving winds made the conditions treacherous today but both team still put up a very good game of rugby. A shortened match due to the conditions saw two tries each with only the conversions the difference.

Sevenoaks turned up with a big powerful side but lacking a front row which meant uncontested scrums. The first few minutes showed that his was going to be a hard fought match with some good tackles going in on both sides. Sevenoaks made full use of their power through the backs early in the first half when the ball was released to a big, strong, fast centre who broke the Medway lines and scored easily under the posts. The try was converted for 0-7. Despite this success and their lack of experienced forwards they still seemed to want to take the play through the forwards and were ably held up by a good Medway pack led throughout the game by Tom Brown and Tom Whitnell with Matthew Kennedy also giving it his all. Sevenoaks eventually remembered where their strengths were and fed a ball out for a second breakthrough try under the posts, easily converted to make it 0-14.

Medway then woke up to the fact that they were stronger in the forwards and put together a fine drive down to the Sevenoaks line which was stopped only just short. Rolling substitutes in this shortened match saw Fergus Stewart join the backs and immediately make an impact picking up a loose ball and driving through with all the strength and determination we have come to expect from him. More pick and drive tactics from the Cougar forwards paid off with Harrison Irons being the one to take the ball over. The wind and rain were against Medway and far too strong for a successful conversion. The half time score 5-14.

The second half started with Medway pressing through the forwards again, this drive was disrupted and Sevenoaks kicked clear. Nick Hardinges who had been struggling with the conditions at full back took this one well and made ground. Charlie Wardzynski took over carrying Medway further forward but again Sevenoaks were able to spoil. They didn't capitalise though and some mishandling in their backs gave Wardzynski a second chance and this time there was no mistake. No conversion so 10-14.

There was no further score in the game with some good breaks from both sides. A couple of Sevenoaks breaks were stopped with covering tackles from Sam Cornell and Wardzynski showed great kicking skills and with some well controlled clearances considering the conditions. All in all a good game, well played on both sides, two tries a piece not a bad result.

(Match Report by Pete Cornell)

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