Medway RFC Cougars

Sunday 30 January 2011

Tunbridge Wells 19 - Medway 15

Tries: Fenton, Kennedy (2)

Cougars Squad:

In the preliminary round of the Kent Cup an away game with 'A' League Tunbridge Wells was the Cougar's reward for finishing third in their 'B' League. This was always going to be a tough draw and so it proved to be. Both teams had their moments and at three tries a piece it was only the extras that gave Wells a narrow victory.

Medway got us underway, cheered on by a large travelling contingent of parents plus the injured Ben 'I'll be back this season' Wellard and Sam 'A regular at training' Cornell, who had fallen ill that morning - well done lads for turning up and getting behind the team.

First half honours went to Wells but as with the game as a whole, play was fairly even. Medway started strongly with some early attacking work from the mop like Alex Morgan and Conor "There's a party at my place after" Chalmers in the backs. Chatterbox Charlie Wardzynski kicked into the corner from the back of a scum near half way and the move finished with Wells conceding a penalty. A swirling wind meant that kicking conditions were not ideal and Wardzynski put just wide from 25 metres out.

In the next play the Wells line out was not straight, as Medway pressurised the jumpers, a problem for Wells throughout the game, with Medway snatching possession away a number of times. On this occasion Wardzynski chipped over the backs and we were treated to the unlikely sight of Max 'The Power' Fenton chasing down the Wells full back - and not falling that far short! It was a sight that the Cougars had not seen before and one the Wells full back hopes to never see again. The Cougars were rucking well, the forwards getting to the breakdowns quickly, securing and recycling the ball. Their next drive ended with another long 25 metre penalty which this time Dan 'Ger, Ger, Ger, Ger Granville' Stone narrowly missed.

The Cougars attacking play combined with a solid defence had kept Wells in midfield or their own half up until now but with their first real break coupled with some good phases they made it to within 10 metres of the Medway try line before losing possession to a knock-on. Wells regained the ball from the scrum though and forced themselves over for a 5-0 lead.

Medway's collective chins, most of them sported by Managers Dave 'The Real Frenchie' French and 'Sir' Pat Nolan, stayed up as they rallied around their impressionist captain Ben Lazell who was giving everyone his best gorilla of the Amazon at the time - all knew they were playing well and this was not a lost cause. The Cougars return got within 10 metres and when Wells tried to push back several of their phases gained no ground at all as the Cougars were up fast preventing the gains, led by the 'Ginger Peril', Luke Gowdy, who was having another fantastic game in the centres. However, as the longest thirty five minutes in history came to an end a scrum was awarded and Wells worked a gap, making full use of it to secure another try which they duly converted. The half ended at 12-0 to Wells.

Coach Mark 'He's got to release it' Marriott made a tactical switch at the start of the second half, first making fellow coach Gordon 'Open all hours' Stone stand on the other side of the pitch so that his infectious smile would no longer be competing with the sun's rays, before replacing Morgan and Dominic 'Frenchie Junior Mk II' French with Matthew 'I don't drink' Kennedy and Harrison 'Hair Bear' Irons. All the initial pressure was on the Wells line with Medway threatening 10 metres out. The move broke down with a forward pass and Wells broke through from the defensive scrum to run the length of the pitch for their third score. It was converted to give Wells a lead of 19-0.

The Cougar fighting spirit then showed through and the very next drive pushed all the way to the Wells line where Kennedy took over and forced himself through for an unconverted try. Medway stepped up and were still winning rucks and mauls as Wells appeared to run out of steam. Dominant in the scrum they were also moving the ball well down the backs with Wardzynski, Tom 'We shall never surrender' Whitnell and Jake 'What me sir' Christodoulou all contributing. Wardzynski then chipped over the Wells back row again and this time there was a melee in the try zone which ended with nothing. Medway scrummed well with Thomas 'Crom' Rawlins quick to the tackle to spoil Well's efforts to clear. Rawlins was also winning line outs with great stretching supported by timely lifting - must be all that Air Cadet stuff coming to the fore. The next drive to the line was then taken by Fenton who had tried several times to break through, and this time he was successful for another unconverted try. The Cougars continued to pressure and were rewarded with a second try for Kennedy. Gowdy tried for the conversion this time but missed narrowly from wide. Medway continued to pile on the pressure as the minutes ticked away and but for a couple of decisions going against them may well have stolen the win but it was not to be, the game ending 19-15 in Wells favour.

This was a game where Medway gained much respect and honour from a narrow defeat. The Wells coaches all commented that their players knew they had been in probably their toughest game of the season. Medway played superbly and had the opportunities to win the game. The whole squad deserves a mention after this fantastic game - Stone and Wardzynski made sure that ball earned was not squandered, driving it on through the forwards, kicking tactically to relieve the pressure when required, or bringing the backs into the game at pace when opportunity arose. The back line, led by Gowdy attacked and defended as one, and Chalmers had another brilliant game at full back coming into the attacking line when possible. The Medway pack was again immense and as the game wore on was so dominant that the coaches had the luxury of bringing Whitnell in to the back line as part of a tactical switch. Lazell and Liam 'The Thespian' Fitzpatrick led the pack as usual and Fenton was almost unstoppable. Mention must go to Lewis 'Wee Man' Marriott and our very own 'Samson', John Last who were part of the squad but did not get a game. Despite obvious disappointment neither man grumbled and continued to cheer their side on. Final mention goes to Wellard and Cornell who despite being unable to play turned up anyway to cheer the team on. All that said, man of the match can only go to one player and the overwhelming player's choice is Matthew Kennedy whose introduction at half-time brought a different dimension to the forward's play and with two tries to his name almost secured a victory that most certainly would have been deserved - well done Matthewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

Next up for the Cougars is Sidcup in the Quarter-Finals of the Kent League Plate. Wells go on to play Blackheath in the Quarter-Finals of the Kent League Cup and go with Medway's best wishes - excellent hosts and a great club.

(Match Report by Pete Cornell and Pat Nolan)

Paul's Pictures