Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 23 January 2011

Medway 15 - Ilford Wanderers 20

Tries: Kennedy, Fenton

Con: Wardzynski

Pen: Wardzynski

Cougars Squad:

With Sidcup again unable to make our league fixture, Medway took to the field with a 30-0 forfeit victory in the bag in this hastily arranged friendly fixture with Ilford. Ilford are an in-form team with recent victories over Barking and Thurock, so this was going to be a test of Medway's progress this season and strength in depth, as they were missing some key players.

The game was effectively won and lost in the first 15 minutes. After some early exchanges with both sides feeling each other out, missed tackles in field cost Medway dear and Ilford ran two tries in back to back as Medway found themselves 10-0 down. However, this Medway team has much resolve and they fought back well leading to a try from Matthew Kennedy following some great work by the forwards. More exchanges saw parity before Ilford were penalised in their own 22. Kicking distance for Charlie Wardzynski and he obliged to slot the penalty home to make the score 10-8 to Ilford. Ilford came back and attacked well using their backs. Luke Gowdy was making tackle after tackle to disrupt Ilford but they eventually broke free down the wing to score their third try - the score now 15-8 to Ilford. Back came Medway and another great forwards move saw Max Fenton peel off a maul to go over. They try was converted by Wardzynski and half time came with the score at 15 points each.

The second half was more of the same. Gowdy and James Clarke were tackling like mad to keep the Ilford team at bay. Neither team was dominating and the game developed into a real battle with no quarter being given. The game was to be ultimately decided on 53 minutes when Medway, having rucked Ilford off the ball in midfield, lost control with the ball spilling out of the side of the ruck. Ilford reacted first picking the ball up and running towards the Cougar's line. Medway were short in numbers and Ilford had the overlap which saw their outside centre get away to score the try. Medway fought throughout the rest of the half but were unable to secure another score and the game ended 20-15 to Ilford.

This was a game that Medway should have won but early lapses contributed to them going down. The forwards had a big game but the deserved man of the match goes to Gowdy, who was superb throughout in defence, never missing a tackle.

Paul's Pictures