On an extremely windy October afternoon, Medway were blown away by a clinical Deal and Bettseshanger side in the first 30 minutes of this game.
D & B scored 24 unanswered points in the first 27 minutes to clinch the important bonus point and then the Medway youngsters did well to stem the tide, and prevent the home team from scoring again during the rest of the game. Luke Burns scored two second half tries for Medway, but overall the visitors did not have quite enough fire power nor composure, to overcome such a large deficit.
Deal and Betteshanger sat second in the league before today’s game, with a perfect unbeaten record and were clearly fired up to keep that winning run going. Medway on the other hand, came out of the traps slowly and made a number of errors that presented field position and possession to D & B to help them take their lead. The conditions were extremely difficult and the inexperienced Medway lads took too long to adapt from their normal expansive style.
Whilst Medway contributed to their own downfall, Deal and Betteshanger’s tactics were spot-on and during that first half hour they played with patience and power and executed very well, scoring four tries from four visits into the Medway red zone. They repeatedly attacked around the fringes then used their elusive fly half to step inside to get behind the drifting defence.
After 30 minutes the penny seemed to drop for the Medway boys, and a powerful forwards drive was just thwarted by the home team’s defence on their try line. Sam Garofalo then fielded an up and under, did extremely well on the counter attack and released Sam Catlin who was again stopped just short of the try line. Despite a good ten minutes, Medway were unable to get on the score board, and the half time score remained 24 – 0 in D & B favour.
Medway spent much of the second period in D & B territory but were unable to secure sufficient first phase possession to really put the home team under pressure. At key moments, and in key positions the home team were able to steal possession and clear their lines. Medway’s tactics were better, and their forwards crossed the home team’s try line on two occasions only to be held up by the committed home defence. Luke Burns scored a good try on 17 minutes, converted by Wardzynski, and then got his second try in the closing minutes.
Given there were only six players from the Medway team that played against D & B last season, we have to remind ourselves to be patient as the boys gain experience and develop their game plan and get used to playing together. Overall, D & B were worthy winners, played the conditions much better, and now sit top of the table having maintained their 100 percent record this season.
Medway team:
Petch; Cooley; Reddish; Taylor; Easton; Huntley; Johnson; Samuela; Dance; Wardzynski; Catlin; Burns; Fussell; Liua’ana; Garofalo; Brice; Flanagan; Valevou.
Medway’s next game is at home to Sevenoaks in the League on Saturday 2nd November 2013.