Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 21 February 2010

Maidstone 5 - Medway 12

Tries: Wardzynski, Stone

Con: Stone

Cougars Squad:

Following a heavy overnight frost the Maidstone pitch was only past fit to play forty minutes before the scheduled kick off. The wind, rain and sodden conditions suited a forward dominated game and that's exactly what we got in a very hard fought, physical match with Medway coming from behind to run out deserved winners in the end after dominating most of the possession and territory.

In the opening ten minutes Medway showed their dominance turning over the first two rucks, and the first Maidstone scrum. A feat that was repeated throughout this tough match with Medway winning many set pieces against the head. When Maidstone did secure the ball they put together a good drive but the Cougars were equal to it and then started to put the pressure on. Playing mostly through the forwards some good ground was made but Maidstone defended well and their pack was winning yardage in the early mauls that formed. The play was mostly in the Maidstone half but with few clear chances, Sam Cornell broke through once and was well supported by Liam Fitzpatrick who was leading the efforts made by the pack who were starting to hold the mauls and continuing to turn over Maidstone ball. Half time arrived with no score.

As the second half kicked off Maidstone came out the livelier and drove to Medway's 22 where a penalty was conceded. The home side elected to kick from twenty five metres but the effort fell wide. Medway's next drive was led by some solid carries, typically from Tom Whitnall with Harrison Irons following up with some purpose. A good penalty clearance from Charlie Wardzynski gave Medway an impetus and the resultant phases with some good pick up and drive tactics gave a second penalty that Wardzynski placed in the corner. The line out was won and driven forward by Whitnall and Fitzpatrick but was held up by some strong defending. It looked like the Cougars were going to break through when George Simpson took a ball round the blind side but play was forced in to touch. There was a Maidstone knock on from the line out but Medway's five metre scum and drive was turned over.

Play was messy through the first half of the second period. Medway were trying to play everything through the forwards. One good phase did see ball down the backs and thirty metres was gained but no more. Then against the run of play Maidstone broke on the blind side and got to five metres short of the Medway line. Some great tackling by Jack Johnstone and two very controlled penalty kicks took the ball back into Maidstone's half. They broke again though and this time made it to the try line where a great saving tackle from Cornell was missed by the referee who was too far away to see clearly and, urged on by the home support, gave the benefit of the doubt to the attacking side awarding them a try. It was not converted so the score was 5-0. Despite not getting the rub of the green the Cougars picked themselves up and replied quickly with a ball down the backs which saw Cornell drive through with Wardzynski picking up and breaking trough the Maidstone line for an equalising try. Shortly afterwards, Medway's next drive was dominated by Irons and Fitzpatrick as the forwards pushed on with controlled pick and drive eventually getting close enough for Dan Stone to take it through to score. Stone converted his own touch down and the game ended 5-12 in Medway's favour.

This was a bruising encounter for Medway as Maidstone proved that there is little between the two sides now. However, when the pressure was on and the home support against them, the Cougars stood firm and came good. In a match dominated by the forwards the Man of the Match went to Liam Fitzpatrick for his tireless, controlled effort in rucks, mauls and scrums. Well played Liam, and well won the Cougars.

(Match Report by Pete Cornell)

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