Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 19 September 2010

Cougars Squad:

Sunday 19 September saw twenty Cougars at Priestfields where they took part in a joint training session with Kent Cup holders, Blackheath. Blackheath are a big, strong, fast team, arguably the strongest side in the County at this age group and who were always going to be a very difficult side to compete with over three twenty five minute sessions. Injuries continue to keep Ben Wellard and James Clarke from taking part and they were joined on the sidelines by Tom Whitnell and Sam Cornell who both picked up knocks this week playing for their school.

During the first session Medway held their own. Defending strongly, they took line out against the throw, held ground against a very strong scrum, and Charlie Wardzynski kicked sensibly to touch against a very strong wind. However, Blackheath demonstrated that when they secured quick ball they could play to their own strengths moving it through the hands to bring a quality backs line up into the game. That said, Medway showed their spirit, digging deep and defending well for long periods of the session despite an early injury to Liam Fitzpatrick. Positive moves from the Cougars towards the end of the session saw them twice within kicking distance of the Blackheath posts and Wardzynski put in two excellent attempts despite the strong cross winds.

The second session started with Medway driving forward and threatening the Blackheath line, however Blackheath again demonstrated their strength by not only thwarting the attack but overturning the ball and swiftly turning defence into attack, running the ball back the length of the pitch. Many teams will struggle to contain Blackheath this season when they're in this kind of form. However, Medway then had their best move of the day with some very good pick and drive but an unfortunate knock on less than a metre from the try line prevented Thomas Rawlins from securing some bragging rights of his own. Blackheath obviously train like they play the game and their size and power was beginning to take its toll as Medway sustained further injuries to Lewis Marriott, John Last and most notably, Conor Chalmers as he showed once more how he is growing into the full back roll with an excellent cover tackle.

As the second session closed and the third started Medway had been given an abject lesson of what was needed if they are to compete at this level. The Cougars looked drained by their early exertions and heads dropped as they realised that all their efforts were, on this day, not reaping much in the way of return. That never say die spirit, very much on display in Dover last weekend, seemed to have evaporated as Blackheath exploited every opportunity, ably demonstrating what was achievable with a strong, physical side where every player knows his roll. Medway collected a final injury as George Simpson went down and the session was called to an end.

We thank Blackheath for making the trip to Medway and giving us some valuable experience at this level, experience the Cougars must now learn from as they look to progress this season. We need to work on our core skills and fitness levels and despite great defence at times, notably from Chalmers and Connor Reynolds, our tackling generally needs vast improvement. On a positive note, next weeks sees us away at Whitstable in the East Kent Cup - an ideal time to demonstrate what we've learnt by securing a victory in our first competitive match of the season.

Paul's Pictures