Sutton and Epsom secured the league title and promotion to National League 3 rugby with a 25 points to 18 win over Medway at Priestfields on Saturday.

Sutton were worthy winners and fully deserve their success, but they were made to work hard for this win by the locals. Whilst Medway possibly edged scoring opportunities, possession and territory, Sutton gave their hosts a lesson in clinical finishing and possessed a cutting edge that Medway could not match. That said, Sutton’s defence was outstanding and time after time, as Medway made a line break, Sutton’s scrambled defence always somehow managed to snuff out the threat.

It was an entertaining game for spectators with the score line remaining close for much of the time. Sutton were hanging on by their fingertips at the end and finished the game with only 13 men on the field following two late yellow cards for persistent infringements.

Medway started well and patiently went through their phases and were rewarded after 4 minutes with a simple penalty which Harvey converted. Sutton replied on 8 minutes with a penalty of their own, before Medway retook the lead with another kick from Harvey.

Medway mounted a good attack from their own half on the quarter hour mark, with Charlie Wardzynski going close to scoring. However, good Sutton cover defence not only prevented the score but turned over the ball. The clearance cross field kick didn’t make touch, and their winger won the foot race to the loose ball, hacked on and with a favourable bounce ran in unchallenged for an opportunist’s try under the posts, 10 -6 to Sutton.

Medway went close again on 24 minutes when Luke Burns was through one on one, but again the chance was snuffed out. A Sutton player was yellow carded on 28 minutes and Medway pulled back via the penalty to trail by a solitary point. Sutton went close to scoring on 35 minutes, and as the game ebbed and flowed, another Medway try scoring golden opportunity went begging a minute later. On the stroke of half time, Sutton won a line out, narrowed Medway’s cover with a drive and a swift move from their backs created the overlap for an excellent try wide on the right. 15 – 9 to Sutton at the interval.

Medway, with the advantage of the breeze spent most of the second period in the Sutton half and despite going close on numerous occasions, were prevented by good defence from ever crossing the white line. Two Dan Harvey penalties on 3 and 18 minutes levelled the scores at 15 all. The game swung again on 21 minutes when Medway made an error and kicked straight to touch to give Sutton a lineout in the home 22. Sutton used good “tail ball” from the line out, went through their phases and scored another well worked try, 20 – 15. Three minutes later, Sutton under pressure from a scrum in their own 22, somehow managed to break free and excellent support play enabled them to race the length of the field to score their bonus point try and take a healthy looking 10 point lead.

A sixth penalty from Harvey after 30 minutes pulled Medway back to within 7 points but try as they might they could not breach the impregnable Sutton defence. Twice in the final 10 minutes Medway were stopped inches short, but it was to be deservedly Sutton’s day.

With Sutton moving up to play National League rugby, Medway’s performance clearly demonstrated that they are close to the standard needed to compete at that level. Dan Harvey had a successful day kicking 6 out of 7 attempts on goal, but the whole Medway team are to be congratulated on a good, spirited team performance in a game where only pride was at stake. Jordan Stubbington, a product of Medway’s impressive Development team made his first team debut and clearly showed what a good prospect he will be for next season.

Medway travel to Twickenham next Saturday, 9th April, KO 3.00pm. A coach will be available for players and supporters, so watch the club web site for departure time.

Medway’s team;

Petch, Cooley, O’Leary, Easton, Rutherford, Huntley, Beaumont, B Dance, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Ebanks, Liua’ana, Garofalo, Wardzynski Subs; Matappa, Stubbington (both used).