Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 21 March 2010

Kent Festival Plate Final

(Match Report by Pat Nolan)

Paul's Pictures

Alan's Pictures

Spring finally seemed to have sprung with fine and mild conditions on display as the Cougars travelled to Aylesford for their first ever appearance on Festival Finals day as they looked forward to taking on a very strong Sittingbourne side in the Plate Final. Honours were even between the two this season with Sittingbourne having the advantage in an earlier tens victory whilst Medway had been victorious in a full 15 a-side match. Therefore, all was to play for for these local rivals.

Cougars Squad:

Medway 10 - Sittingbourne 5 (AET)

Having warmed up it just left Gordon to send our young men in to battle. Surrounded by the squad, it was a surreal site as Gordon led them through the now regular 'Gordon Rap', his little balding head every now and then popping up to be seen. Sittingbourne followed with something similar and it was game on. Bourne kicked off, secured early possession and tried early with a planned move that saw their speedy winger come inside to centre looking to exploit a gap. A well drilled Medway though, spotted the move and the winger was nailed by Tom Whitnell. Shortly afterwards, Bourne looked for their winger again with a kick over the top of the Cougars defence. This time though Connor Reynolds was alive to the threat, picking up the ball and returning it with interest before being taken into touch. The next passage of play saw Bourne get within striking distance of the Medway line but a forward pass led to a 5 metre scrum. The Medway pack was solid and the ball went to Charlie Wardzynski who kicked deep to the Bourne winger. Reynolds was up on him quickly again and marshalled him into touch. The early attacking pressure was all with Bourne but that changed as they went through the hands again only to see Wardzynski step in with a fine intercept, making 40 metres. As the Bourne defence caught up he off loaded to James Clarke in support who was tackled to the ground. However, hands in the ruck saw Medway awarded a penalty. They went for the line but the nerves were obviously showing as they kicked straight through giving Bourne a 22 drop out. Medway's blitz defence was working well as Bourne mixed their game up with probing kicks and a driving maul. One break saw Luke Gowdy nail the Bourne full back who looked on the verge of breaking through. Then a Tom Whitnell break off of a driving maul saw Medway in the Bourne 22 before a penalty was awarded for off side against Bourne. Dan Stone took a kick at the posts but was just short. Bourne were kicking more now looking to pen Medway back, whilst Medway were starting to ship cheap penalties, predominantly for joining the maul from the side. Another Bourne backs move saw the ball with the winger once more but Reynolds was up and nailed him again. Medway secured possession and Stone was away through midfield before being tackled hard to the floor. That was the last we saw of Stone who had to be helped away with a back injury. There was just enough time for another penalty given away by Medway and another fine Reynolds tackle on the Sittingbourne winger before half-time was called with the score still 0-0.

During the luxury of a 5 minute interval break Mark delivered his magic words and we were up and running again. Medway restarted with something to prove knowing that Bourne were the stronger side in the first half and applied the early pressure, being rewarded with an early penalty. Electing to kick again Gowdy missed narrowly. The Bourne winger picked the ball up and ran it out of defence only to be hit by a monster Whitnell tackle that drove him into touch. That was the last we saw of the Bourne danger man who was replaced shortly after. From a scrum Medway tried a Tom Brown number 8 pick up, but this was spotted by Bourne who defended well. It seemed that the balance of power had swung Medway's way and a penalty that was moved 10 for a further infringement saw a quick tap and go from Wardzysnki. He drove to the heart of the Bourne defence before off loading to Reynolds who dived in at the corner for the first score of the game. Gowdy narrowly missed the extras and the score was 5-0. Bourne were feeling the pressure now. Their line out, which had been solid in the first half, was no longer straight and Medway were also turning over the Bourne scrum regularly. Gowdy was having an emense game in the centres as he nailed another tackle whilst Conor Chalmers was sweeping everything up at full back. A fine Mewday attacking move saw them first drag Bourne out to the right before switching play back to the left. Bourne had no choice but to give the penalty away, Wardzynski missing from out wide. The game was there for Medway to win but they let Bourne back in by giving away a succession of cheap penalties. Suddenly Bourne were inside Medway's 10 metres. Hands in the ruck saw another penalty awarded to Bourne. A qiuick tap and the ball was shipped right where Bourne had numbers and they crashed through by the posts to bring the scores level. The Medway support watched nervously as the Bourne attempt at the extras narrowly missed, the score remaining at 5-5. More kicking and counter kicking saw both sides trading possession in midfield. The last action of the game saw a strong Bourne break end with a knock on 15 metres out as the referee blew for full time.

As the rules were checked and golden extra time began it was fair to say that there was nothing between the two sides - Bourne were on top in the first half whilst Medway were the stronger team in the second. Two nervy sides traded blows in the extra time and Bourne were awarded the first opportunity to end the game with a penalty awarded for offside as Medway kicked clear from their own in goal area. Fortunately, the Bourne kick failed going right of the posts. Brown picked the ball up and seemed to pull up before injecting a burst of pace that saw him charge 30 metres up the pitch. Whitnell was on hand to take play on and the resultant penalty saw Medway kick for territory before half time in extra time was called. The second period of extra time got under way and it was more close knit stuff as both sides looked for a moment of genious to win the game. That moment fell to the Cougars as Bourne were penalised for hands in the ruck inside Medway's half. The backs, who had waited this long, threw a missmove and suddenly Sam Cornell was charging through the Bourne defensive line. Bourne desperately tried to get back to him but Cornell was through and the winning try was scored. Final score 10-5 to Medway. There was just enough time for a champagne celebration as captain and man of the match, Liam Fitzpatrick, lifted the trophy following a fine Medway victory.

Aylesford are thanked for their hospitality and a splendid day of running rugby which was enjoyed by all. C'mon Medway!