Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 7 November 2010

Bromley 34 - Medway 20

Tries: Wardzynski and Whitnell

Con: Gowdy (2)

Pen: Gowdy (2)

Cougars Squad:

So into match four of the league programme and although Medway visited Bromley with much the same squad as last week it was a different team that turned up. This was a tough, hard fought, well contested game that Medway were in touch with right up to the last 10 minutes.

The Cougars started well turning over an early ruck and pushing into Bromley territory. Bromley conceded a penalty which Luke Gowdy placed just wide but he got another chance very shortly afterwards which he duly converted. Bromley pushed back after the restart and a clever chip gained ground. Medway defended well and Bromley's first attempt was held up on the line. The pressure was relieved by a fine deep clearance kick from Gowdy. Medway's next move came to nothing though and Bromley pushed back. A maul developed 10 metres out and Bromley drove it forward to the line for a straight forward score. Bromley were quickly back on the attack and as the ball was spun out through the backs a gap was spotted and punished. A successful conversion took the score to 12-3 to the home side. Both sides threatened in the next phases but little mistakes broke up the play. After 25 minutes coach Mark Marriot decided to swap Matthew Kennedy and Lewis Marriot for Dominic French and George Simpson. The Cougars then took the initiative winning a scrum against the feed and getting to within 2 metres of the try line with some good pick and drive work. Medway continued to dominate this phase of the game with some very positive rugby and looked like they were going to narrow the margin when a Gowdy penalty faded at the last minute onto the upright. Half time came with Medway on the up.

Tom Whitnell and Sam Cornell started the second half in place of James Clarke and Max Fenton and Medway were soon attacking again with Whitnell leading the way. It was a well worked attack again pick and drive making good ground but not breaking through so the ball was fed down the backs and Conor Chalmers spotted a gap and very nearly made it count. Bromley then turned over possession but a pass back for the clearance kick was fumbled and eventually pounced on by Charlie Wardzynski. Gowdy converted to bring Medway within 2 points. Bromley struck straight back though winning a penalty in front of the posts which they took but Cougars replied and another Gowdy penalty restored the 2 point gap. Neither side was able to stretch the lead at this stage with scores going in regularly at both ends. Bromley got the next with a quick ball down the backs from a 22m scrum. The speed of the Bromley centres showed as a gap was exploited for a converted try but it wasn't long before the Cougars replied again after Wardzynski had cleared the ranks with a measured kick. After some good phases Whitnell drove through the Bromley backs for a well deserved score. Gowdy again converted and we were back to a 2 point margin at 22-20. With not much more than ten minutes left the game was there for the winning but sadly for the Cougars it was Bromley that took it. An odd ball out of the side of a scrum was picked up by Bromley who broke for a converted try. Almost straight from the kick off Bromley found a gap down the wing but a foot in touch denied them a try. Medway pushed back but were turned over and this time the winger's run was successful.

The final score then 34-20 but the game was played with spirit and passion, none more so than man of the match Tom Whitnell who came on at half time and dominated the forward play with some powerful drives and tackles and a well deserved try. Great to see the attitude, unlucky with the result.

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