Sunday 3 October 2010
Maidstone 5 - Medway 36
Tries: Chalmers (2) Wardzynski, Irons (2), Fenton
Con: Wardzynski (3)
Cougars Squad:
Brown, Chalmers, Christodoulou, Clarke, Cornell, Fenton, Fitzpatrick, French, Gowdy, Kennedy, Irons, Lazell, Marchant, Marriott, Rawlins, Simpson, Stone, Wardzynski and Whitnell (C)Switching this "Home" fixture to Maidstone's Moat Park ground due to congestion at Priestields, Medway put down a firm marker in this league with a well deserved victory against a strong Maidstone outfit.
Having got their competitive season off to a great start last week, beating Whitstable comprehensively in their East Kent Cup opener, the Cougars continued that good form in their first league match away to Maidstone. Medway controlled this game with some great work from the forwards, notably the two Toms - Rawlins and Brown - but the whole pack worked well together winning the shoves and getting to the breakdowns in numbers.
Medway kicked off and things were even to start with. However, Medway were keeping the ball in the Maidstone half, Rawlins getting to the breakdowns quickly and driving over to secure the ball. The pack worked the ball forward, picking and driving from the rucks. Possession was lost a few metres short of the Maidstone line but the attempted kick clearance was charged down by Conor Chalmers who collected and touched down. Charlie Wardzynski converted for an early 7 point lead. From the restart Maidstone came back with a well placed kick clearance into space. A chip over the defence followed which looked to have gone dead as a player from each side went down for the ball but it broke free and Maidstone touched it down. Medway drove forward after the restart, winning the pushes but at this stage being pushed off the rucks which allowed Maidstone to take the ball and press. Luke Gowdy was playing solidly at full back and a kicked clearance from him gave Medway back the advantage. The resultant drive threatened the Maidstone line but was stopped just short, then with some great running from Wardzynski and Brown the ball went over but was help up. Continued pressure was rewarded however when Harrison Irons finished off the next drive with Wardzynski converting for a 5-14 lead.
Medway's next attack was led by a fine run by Wardzynski who was well supported by Chalmers the ball reaching James Clarke who had a couple of good runs up the wing but was unable to break through. Continued pressure and great use of the pick and drive moved the Cougars forward eventually feeding Max Fenton who could not be stopped from scoring. Wardzynski's attempt was just wide. Clarke gave way to Cornell and the next Cougar drive saw Dominic French make some good ground and pop the ball up in the tackle for Wardzynski who took it on to score and convert his own try pushing the score to 5-26. Matthew Kennedy had to come off with a shoulder problem, having made a valuable contribution to the forward drives. He was replaced by Liam Fitzpatrick a few minutes before half time.
Maidstone started strongly in the second half but their efforts were thwarted by some strong tackling from Rawlins and Gowdy. Medway then pushed forward again, a good drive from Fenton backed up intelligently by George Simpson who was having an inspired game. The Cougar's continued to make ground with pick and drive tactics and made it over the line but the ball was held up. From the 5m scrum the ball found Chalmers who scored a well deserved try. Substitutions were then made, Tom Whitnell, Simpson and Jake Christodoulou making way for Lewis Marriott, David McManus and Ben Lazell. Medway's next score was started when a long clearance from Maidstone was taken by Rawlins who made 30m, before feeding Irons for his second of the day. From the restart, Rawlins again collected and returned with a great run, this time the move ended with a fine kick from Wardzynski to take Medway within 20m. The attack was pushed back but Maidstone conceded a penalty 40m out. Wardzynski's attempt had good length but was pulled just wide. Maidstone made some good use of the boot in the last period of play with some very strong cross field clearances, one penetrating kick threatened but was chased down by Cornell and Gowdy and another attack saw Maidstone two against one but the one was Brown who was not going to let them pass, Maidstone pushed on in the last few minutes but were not able to gain anything and the game ended 5-36.
Following this fine Medway victory euphoria was expressed by the latest arrival to the Wardzynski clan, Paddy, who encouraged his Maidstone counterpart to join him in feeling the love out in the middle of the cricket pitch - heavy roller needed now we think! A fine performance all round, with some very strong forward play. Pick and drive working well against this opposition. Man of the match goes to Rawlins who stood out with his determination; always fast to the breakdowns and making some good penetrating runs. Well played Tom.
(Match Report by Pete Cornell)