Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 10 October 2010

Aylesford Bull 13 - Medway 14

Tries: Fenton, Christodoulou

Con: Wardzynski (2)

Cougars Squad:

The Cougars almost succumbed to a Bulls side that played to their strengths but were able to turn the game around in the final quarter to secure a hard fought victory.

Week two of the league season saw Medway play away to Aylesford in a game that the Cougars made more difficult for themselves by playing to the opposition's strengths rather than their own. Aylesford came to the table with a tall well built pack, a solid scrum and lineout, and a good kicking game and for long periods the Cougars would allow the Bulls to dictate the play in these areas.

The first ten minutes should have tought Medway that they were going to have to work for victory with Aylesford showing good tactical kicking backed up by a strong line out. In contrast Charlie Wardzynski was kicking long but not finding touch. The game was scrappy with both sides alternately winning and losing ground. The Cougar's best early chance came when captain Liam Fitzpatrick stepped it up in a maul, stole the ball and Medway fed it down the backs but ran out of room by the time the ball reached the wing. Our next move again saw the ball fed down the backs and Dominic French kicked well into space. Medway had what would prove to be a rare line out victory and Fitzpatrick drove over the line but the ball was held up. From the five metre scrum another good drive by Fitzpatrick was picked up by Max Fenton who drove over for the try. Wardzynski converted for a 0-7 lead. The Aylesford kick off was long and high which was brilliantly taken by Dave McManus who made some good yardage but unfortunately was injured in the tackle to be replaced by Ben Lazell. Shortly afterwards Aylesford won a Medway scrum and broke through our backs. The sprint for the line was nearly intercepted by Luke Gowdy but he couldn't stop the try. Aylesford missed the extras to leave the score at 5-7. The loss of McManus disrupted the Medway line out and Aylesford, with their tall pack were winning every throw. The Bulls drove up the field again and the Cougars were penalised for coming off their feet at the ruck. The resulting kick was good and Aylesford had an 8-7 half-time lead.

The second half started with Lewis Marriott, Dominic French and Alex Marchant making way for George Simpson, Sam Cornell and Alex Morgan. Aylesford started the second half putting Medway under pressure but the Cougars defended well and won an important scrum on their own five metre line which Wardzynski cleared to half way. Aylesford drove back with a powerful rolling maul and a breakaway run from one of their forwards made it to the line for another unconverted try and a six point lead. The resulting kick-off was long from Wardzynski finding touch well into the Aylesford half. Aylesford pushed back but then Medway started using their backs more. Sam Cornell led the way taking the ball to Aylesford with the first of a couple of penetrating runs. Aylesford broke again but Medway defended well with Fitzpatrick stopping the charge driving over a ruck and stealing the ball. Aylesford lost a man for a short period at one point but Medway struggled to make the numerical advantage count. The feeling on the sideline was that the game was slipping away from Medway. Another injury stoppage allowed Assistant Manager Pat Nolan to gather the troops for one last push with fourteen minutes remaining. "Do you want this match" he demanded of the players and to a man the roar back was "yes".

A couple of good kick and chase efforts from Simpson and Gowdy followed but on each occasion they were kicked straight back. Cornell, covering, picked up and made good ground running the ball back at Aylesford. Then Gowdy kicked a great ball into space which he chased down. The ball was then fed via Cornell to Morgan who squeezed into the corner for what seemed a try. However, with the Bulls players claiming the ball had been dropped the unsighted referee chose not to consult his touch judge, electing to award a scrum to Aylesford on the five. Shortly afterwards, another fine Medway drive saw them on the Ayledford five metre line. The Bulls were penalised for hands in the ruck and a quick thinking Fitzpatrick took a tap penalty and drove for the line. The Aylesford players had not retreated far enough and one couldn't resist making the tackle two metres out. A penalty try with a kick in front of the posts to follow surely - not this time, as the referee chose instead to give Medway another penalty and order the Bulls back behind the line. To add salt to the wounds Medway lost possession in the following play and Aylesford cleared.

It looked like it was going to be just one of those days with nothing going Medway's way. Jonathan Last joined the fray late on for Tom Whitnall in one last throw of the dice by Coach Gordon Stone. The next drive ended with an Aylesford scrum on their own five metre line as Medway knocked on just short. The Bulls fed the ball back to the fly half to kick clear but Lazell was up on him quickly and charged the ball down bravely. Another scrum on the five but importantly it was Medway's feed. A pick and drive move ended with Jake Christodoulou carrying over for a try which was converted by Wardzynski to give Medway a one point lead. There was still time for the Bulls to get back at Medway and another penalty resulted. It was not an easy kick and was missed to the left of the posts much to the relief of the Cougars and their supporters. The remaining minutes were hard fought but Medway held on to their slender advantage, closing the game out for a 13-14 victory.

Not the best of displays by the Cougars. Hopefully a lesson learned in playing to our strengths rather than the oppositions. Highlights included Fitzpatrick, who drove the pack on and stole much ball that he shouldn't have. Lazell brought desire to the side when he came on, and Whitnell, Irons, Marriott and Simpson all put in gutsy displays in the front row against bigger, well organised opponents who were also well versed in the dark arts. However, it was the introduction of Cornell that ultimately changed the course of the game for Medway. He attacked the backs at pace with some strong, direct runs that gained ground time and time again, and his brilliant pass to Morgan should have earned the side a try. An excellent display Sam that earns you the Man of the Match award - well done.

Paul's Pictures