Medway hosted Crowborough at Priestfields on Saturday and narrowly came out on top in a highly competitive game.

For most of the second half only three points separated the teams and not until the dying minutes did Medway score their second try to secure a more comfortable lead and win the game.

Crowborough were the better team for the opening twenty five minutes and only desperate Medway defence at times prevented them from running away with the game. They did however score ten unanswered points during this period through an excellent long range penalty kick and a well-executed cross kick expertly taken by their lively winger.

Eventually Medway did start to get into the game and enjoy some possession and territory. Dan Harvey missed a long range penalty attempt on 26 minutes but soon afterwards made amends with a much easier kick when Crowborough were penalised in front of their posts. Just before half time, and somewhat against the run of play, Crowborough looked to have sliced through Medway’s defence but fortunately the final pass was intercepted by Harvey. 10 – 3 to Crowborough at the interval.

Playing down the slight slope and with the wind behind them Medway dominated territory for most of the second half. After only four minutes and following a good forward drive James Dance darted over for a converted try to level the scores. Soon afterwards Dan Harvey kicked a penalty to give Medway a slender lead, but Crowborough quickly responded with another excellent long range penalty into the wind.

Medway increased the pressure on the Crowborough line and they had a man sent to the sin bin for repetitive infringements. Harvey converted the penalty to restore a narrow three point lead for the locals. Despite constant pressure and good field position Medway were unable to unlock the stout Crowborough defence. Eventually in the dying minutes James Rutherford won a good line out, the backs created an overlap for Leo Luia’ana and he was hauled down just short of the try line. With great handling Medway then moved the ball quickly back to the opposite wing for Tom Beaumont to score an excellent team try that deservedly secured the game for the hosts. Final score 21 -13.

Overall a gritty team performance where Medway were not at their best but showed excellent character to withstand the early Crowborough pressure and then come back from ten points behind to win the game with a convincing second half performance.

Next week Medway travel to take on local rivals Maidstone at the Mote.