A scintillating second half performance saw Medway record a big win at Gosport and Fareham on Saturday. They ran in seven second half tries and ten in total, whereas the south coast outfit managed a solitary crossing of the white line.
Medway were unsure what to expect in this game. Their own team included a number of enforced changes and had a makeshift look about it. Gosport, had their own selection issues through suspensions, but claimed in their pre-match preview to have a strong team with many players returning. Gosport had pushed Tottonians very close last week, a team that Medway struggled to beat the previous week. So, difficult to predict, but on paper it looked like a being a close game with Gosport needing to win to avoid the threat of relegation.
Medway played into the breeze in the first half and made error after error in the opening ten minutes. Despite the “gifted” possession Gosport were unable to capitalise and the score board remained pointless. After a quarter of an hour Medway started to get going, scoring two tries in quick succession. First, James Dance darted over from the back of an attacking scrum and shortly afterwards centre Doug Ebanks burst through several tackles to score under the posts and record the first of his three tries.
Gosport scored a penalty when Medway failed to deal with the kick-off and then Richard Petch was sin binned for not rolling away. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Medway extended their lead on 28 minutes when Rutherford and Ellis combined to allow Max Easton to score a try. Gosport then scored their try when their backs moved the ball swiftly for a touch-down in the left hand corner. Half time 17 – 8 to Medway.
Playing with the wind, a much reduced error count, Medway cut loose and ran the ball at every opportunity in the second half from anywhere on the pitch. Tries were scored after 10, 12, 17, 24, 35, 38 and 40 minutes by Ebanks (2), Beaumont, Rutherford, Huntley, Garofalo and a penalty try. At least four of these tries came from moves which started deep inside Medway’s own territory and were the result of good hands and excellent support play.
Overall, a pleasing result, many players showing versatility playing out of position, a good “team” performance, ten tries and seven conversions and all this at a difficult venue. Medway’s pack provided a great foundation for the backs to launch attack after attack. Ross Cooley, a prop playing at hooker did well, Rutherford and Easton were outstanding in the second row. Medway’s back row of Beaumont, Huntley and Ben Dance were fantastic and murdered Gosport at the break down. Half backs Dance and Harvey controlled the game well, and Ebanks and Ellis both playing out of position in the centre, were a constant threat and solid in defence. Ebanks pace and power was simply too much for the home defence.
Medway have no game over the Easter weekend but then four consecutive games in April. Next game is at home versus Dover on the 2nd April, KO 3.00pm.
Medway’s team;
Petch, Cooley, O’Leary, Easton, Rutherford, Huntley, Beaumont, B Dance, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Ebanks, Ellis, Garofalo, Wardzynski Subs; Matappa, Fernyhough (both used).