Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 13 December 2009

Medway 42 - Sidcup 7

Tries: Brown, Gowdy (2), Cornell, Kennedy, Stewart (2), Simpson

Con: Stewart

Cougars Squad:

The Cougars ended the 2009 (78th Medway RFC season) in style with an impressive win against an able Sidcup side fielding four players from their under 17s. Last season Sidcup had succumbed to Medway by some 60 odd points and but for some late lapses of concentration by the visitors the result would have been much closer than the eventual scoreline reflected.With 25 fit players (although the lads question using the term "fit" and George Simpson in the same sentance) and five injured boys on the sideline, 'twas a truly memorable day for Medway.

Medway started well and Sidcup defended with gusto to keep the half time score at 15-7. The Medway pack, led by Liam Fitzpatrick, were absolutely superb in retaining possession using the drilled "red" and "green" plays around the base of the ruck when the game slowed but generally delivering to the "slick" backline quick recycled ball. The team is now evolving into a fast, dynamic and unselfish side, a little like their coach, Gordon Stone, who himself is a "fast, flash, fella". Medway's first try came from wing commander Tom Brown who picked up at the base of the scrum and dived from the 22 metre line and stretched over for the try, his very tall frame proving difficult to stop by Sidcup. The referee asked Tom to remove his scarf and goggles after the try as they were putting the Sicup No9 off. "Righto!" yelled Tom (over the noise of the engines). The next two tries fell for Luke Gowdy on the wing who, despite being a red-head and prone to outrageous side-steps and hairstyles took his second try after the move of the match, with the backline passing left to right, straightening the line as they passed (just as Gordon coaches, with collar up whilst chewing gum in a super smooth motion) "step in from the direction of the ball, pass in one motion and create space for the wing". Gowdy, with no-one to beat stepped inside (as is his habit when a particular young lady is watching) and allowed Medway to move to the half just ahead, Sidcup's response being an excellant interception (which came with Medway "offloading" the ball all over the pitch to squeels of delight from the large watching crowd) and the Sidcup player having just enough pace to score.

The half-time talk saw Gordon Stone turn his peaked cap round (New York style) and "Rap" his uplifting team talk. Some of the players had to slap Max Fenton, Matthew Kennedy and Ben Lazell into consciousness as they were "jigging" in a trance like state along with Gordon's rhythmic tones! The cold water awoke all the players and, bouyed by the rappers delight, they began to cast off all fear of the intercept and used the whole of the pitch, stretching Sidcup hither and yonder to permit Sam Cornell to score a cracking try after the forwards and backs combined to beat the exhausted opposition. The next try fell to 'Mini Me' Kennedy who, urged on by his father from the sideline ("Matthewwwwwwww!"), broke tackle after tackle, 'Mrs Doubtfire like', before finally ignoring Alex Morgan in space (a superb dummy run there) and falling over the try line still with half of Sidcup's defence attached to him. As the visitors only brought 17 players Medway had the advantage of fresh legs and all players were desperate to play and impress Gordon who had promised a cameo on his new video (available to download soon) which Gordon hopes will make it to number 1 in the charts. Two tries then came for Fergus Stewart who is probably the strongest runner in the county at this age group, being utilised as a 12 (impact runner) Fergus simply tore up the defence and was rewarded with the tries and a rehearsed high 5 with Gordon. Cool or what! Max Fenton was then replaced after having torn into the heart of Sicup and managed to "carry" for more yards than any other forward save for David McMannus who is pressing Max for the honour of the most yards carried with the ball - no pressure Max! George Simpson then scored a try after he beat all the cover having wisely stood out on the wing (it is not often one sees a hooker on the wing but George' internal compass allows him to stay one metre from the touchline without fuss) and his try was the crowning moment of a super Cougar second half Performance. After Fergus Stewart converted the teams retired to the Bar where a "Boat Race" saw Nick Hardinges victorious, collecting the chocolate, his teddy and support from all his team mates after he received a yellow card from Sergeant Major Nolan (the Ref) after an off the ball incident. Hardinges confirmed his growing maturity with an apology to his mates, the Ref and his coach to which Gordon said "muchrespettoyooman!" which the other coaches took as an acceptance of the apology!

Man of the Match was Conor Chalmers (Conor too!) who was tireless in defence, thwarting many Sidcup attacks and thus allowing the rest of the squad the opportunity to counter. The Cougars left the Clubhouse to rest over Christmas with the strains of Gordon Stone or "Stoney" to his crib rappin' and dancin' to his toons!

(Match Report by Mark Marriott)

Pictures