Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 27 March 2011

Sittingbourne 38 Medway 5

Tries: Kennedy

Cougars Squad:

And so the injury/absence ravaged Cougars travelled to our near neighbours for this East Kent Cup Final show down, a game held over from earlier in the season due to the weather and League committments. In the end our congratulations go to Sittingbourne who played a fine game and came away with a well deserved victory, although the final score did flatter them somewhat with the Cougars having the majority of the possession and the larger part of the territory, but in the end Sittingbourne were too strong and quick. The Cougars never gave up and fought to the last scoring their only points in the last drive of the game.

It was Medway who kicked off leading to an early declaration of Sittingbourne game plan as they immediately kicked back, taken well and returned by 'Regular at Training' Cornell. Sittingbourne retrieved and kicked clear again but then the Medway clearance went straight down the throat of the Sittingbourne full back who sprinted through the in field. He chipped the defence and was chasing 'Chatterbox' Wardzynski who was winning the race until an unnoticed nudge in the back made him lose his stride and Sittingbourne got their first points. 'Nudge' aside it was a truly brilliant try applauded by all spectators from both sides. Medway put a great move together from the kick off with the 'Teetotaller' Kennedy collecting and setting up special guest 'Son of a Preacher Man' Gilvear for a rare run. No result and a quick Sittingbourne break gave them a 14 point lead. The kick off was chased down by 'Wing Commander' Brown who took the ball on the bounce but the subsequent move broke down against a very strong Sittingbourne defence. The kicked clearance was collected this time by full back 'New Boy' Nebbs who cleared well. Sittingbourne then put Medway under some pressure but it was the Cougars turn to be solid in defence putting in some fine strong tackles but again Sittingbourne proved too strong, forcing their way to the line for a third but this time unconverted try to take the score to 19-0. 'Wee Man' Marriot who had been playing a fine game at hooker had to come off with a back injury to be replaced by 'Gorgeous' Simpson. Unfortunately the next Medway line out was stolen by Sittingbourne and their pace and strength gave them another converted score. From the kick off Cougars chased well again and the Sittingbourne back was taken into touch. Cougars set up a great driving maul from the line out and carried to the Sittingbourne line but were held up. Pressure continued from the 5 metre scrum but Sittingbourne were resolute and finally won a penalty which allowed them to clear their lines. Medway drove back though and with the forwards getting up to the breakdowns well today and supporting the ball carrier another line out drive gave 'Junior Frenchie MkII' French the opportunity to break for and go over the Sittingbourne line but the ball was held up yet again. The half time score flattered Sittingbourne at 26-0 with Medway crossing the line three times themselves but without anything to show for it.

Laces Marriott and 'Marvin' Stone were left to weave their magic with the disappointed players as 'Sir Fat' Pat went over to the Sittingbourne coaches to find out who was controlling the remote control for the match ball, a ball that that had seen Sittingbourne's kick chases land invitingly in their player's hands whilst Medway's usually screwed into touch.

Medway put the pressure on Sittingbourne straight from the kick off but the defence held out and the first loose ball was picked up by them and taken through to score. The kick off was chased down by Cornell this time and Medway were set up for another attack on the Sittingbourne line but the defence remained solid and again the break away try was their reward despite some strong tackling from the likes of Captain and 'Thespian' Fitzpatrick. Cougars played and played and in the dying minutes a great cross field penalty from Wardzynski set up another Medway drive which was finished off by Kennedy for a consolation 5 points.

Well played Cougars. As 'Laces' said in his summing up we didn't miss any last man tackles, we pressured Sittingbourne throughout the game and actually got over their line on five separate occasions. Some solid defence from Sittingbourne and some fine breaks with strength and speed gave them the victory. There was no man of the match with everyone giving 100%.

(Scribes, Pete 'Repair Man' Cornell and 'Sir Fat' Pat Nolan)

Paul's Pictures