In glorious sunny conditions Medway took on newly crowned league champions Charlton Park in front of a large crowd in South London.
Although nothing was at stake, both sides played with passion and pride and entertained with an open running game played at high tempo. In the end, Charlton demonstrated why they are worthy league winners, as they had a little more pace and power in key areas than the local lads who finished third in the competitive league.
Medway trailed 22 – 3 after 35 minutes and then played very well particularly in the third quarter of the game to reduce the arrears to 22 – 18. However, spurred on by the visitor’s come back, Charlton then finished the game much the stronger of the two teams extending their lead to 44 – 25 at the final whistle.
Medway lost influential loose head prop Ross Cooley to injury after only six minutes of the game and then to compound their problems, fly half Ollie Best had to be replaced after 24 minutes. Although conceding an early converted try and penalty to go 10 – nil down, Medway did well for most of the first half to contain the Charlton threat who had the slight advantage of the elements. Charlie Wardzynski opened their account with a well struck penalty after 29 minutes but they conceded two tries in quick succession on 35 minutes and things suddenly began to look ominous with the score line at 22 – 3. A good lineout catch and drive on the stroke of half time, finished off by Lyam Johnson gave the visitors hope and reduced the deficit to 22 – 8 at the interval.
Good early pressure in the second half was rewarded with a converted try for James Dance quickly followed by another penalty from Charlie Wardzynski. At 22 – 18 it was “game on“, but Charlton responded very well. On 20 minutes, a flowing sweeping move stretched Medway from one side of the pitch and then back to the other, eventually Medway’s resistance ran out as their elusive winger slipped through the middle of some tired looking visitors, 29 – 18.
In a frenetic final five minutes of the match, Charlton scored two further converted tries and Medway replied with a consolidation score themselves from Billy Humphrey and converted by Charlie.
Overall a spirited team performance in defeat and possibly the score line was a little harsh on the visitors. Especially good was Owain Fussell’s tackling in the centre, and a good all round performance from scrum half James Dance.
Next and last game of the season is the Kent Plate final against Westcombe Park on the 27th April to be played at Foot’s Cray.