Whilst the 62 – 0 score line looks convincing, Medway left Crowborough on Saturday pretty disappointed with the quality of their performance.
Overall, this was a poor game lacking quality from both sides. Medway enjoyed a huge advantage in the forwards and could win the ball back at will, but their use of this constant supply of possession was well below average. Some mitigation comes from the rain causing a slippery ball, but really they failed to adapt to the conditions and took far too many wrong options and were guilty of poor execution of basic skills.
The heavens opens and a rain deluge welcomed the players just as they ran out onto the pitch for the start of the game. After a dry warm up, this seemed a shock to Medway as they stood still and simply watched Crowborough catch their own kick off. A frustrating first 10 minutes followed where Medway made mistake after mistake before finally stringing a few phases together for Jordan Stubbington to stroll over the line for the opening try.
Three more scores followed in the first half to seal the bonus point and make the score at the interval 24 – 0. Billy Humphrey scored the first of a hat- trick from a driving maul. Henry Hall finished off one of the few quality moves during the game, and Joe Fernyhough broke through a fragile Crowborough defensive line to touch down under the posts.
The rain set in permanently in the second half and made conditions more difficult. Errors from Medway often gifted the ball to Borough but their game plan mostly consisted off kicking it back to Medway! Medway got the score board moving again after 6 minutes when Stubbington scored his second from a push over try.
The tries then came thick and fast for the next 20 minutes as Humphrey scored two more, Harvey ran in a good move, Beaumont finished another forwards drive and Alfie Orris sprinted in from half way. Dan Harvey converted six of the ten tries scored by Medway to complete the scoring.
Overall, not a great game or experience for anyone. Marvellous touchline support with huge numbers from Medway making the journey down into east Sussex to cheer on their team. One of the only positives of the day is Medway remain top of the league.
Next week Medway face Aylesford in the Kent Cup at home.
Medway’s team;
Matappa, Humphrey, O’Leary, T Sandison, Fernyhough, Beaumont, Stubbington, Huntley, J Dance, Harvey, B Dance, Hall, Walsh, Orris, Wardzynski, Sub; W Sandison, Cooley, Burns (all used)