The storms on Friday night damaged one set of posts on the show pitch at MRFC and everyone was a little disappointed to have to move this game onto the “second” pitch.

Medway’s lads had trained well after last week’s poor display against Heathfield and needed to record a home win to get their season back on track against Tunbridge Wells who had also recorded two wins from their first four league games.

Medway dominated the first half via territory, possession and points and led 16 – 0 at the break. The second half was different as Tunbridge Wells came roaring back and set up a nerve tingling finish that could have seen either side win. Medway never lost the lead, but were only 22-20 in front with three minutes remaining.

Full back Ollie Best had a perfect day with the boot, converting six out of six attempts on goal and winning man of the match for his fine display of goal kicking. The front five competed well throughout the game, and Jack Reddish stood out in the loose making some telling contributions. A new back three combination of Best, Garofalo and Liua’ana combined well and looked dangerous on the counter attack. Scrum half Dance looked sharper, and Luke Burns made good yards in the centre.

Medway’s dominance during the first period resulted in the visitors infringing at regular intervals and Best kicked three penalties with aplomb. The home team scored a good try on the half hour mark, finished well by new winger Leo Liua’ana and converted by Best. Medway’s lead could, and possibly should have been more given the number of visits into the opposition 22 metre zone that went unrewarded.

The second half started in disastrous fashion for the home team. From the kick off they knocked-on and TW’s pressure resulted in a simple penalty in front of the posts. Then another basic error from the re-start put the home team again under pressure and Tunbridge Wells moved the ball quickly to create the overlap and score a good converted try. Ten points conceded in only five minutes of the second half! The teams traded penalties on 12 and 16 minutes to keep the score close at 19 – 13 going into the final quarter and then Best extended the lead on 24 minutes with another simple penalty.

Whilst Medway enjoyed sustained periods of pressure during the closing stages of the game they were unable to breach the determined TW defence. The visitors however looked increasingly dangerous in counter attack and from one such foray down the pitch they scored a converted try from a quickly taken penalty, catching the home defence flat footed. Best calmed the nerves (a little) with another penalty, but in a frantic ending both sides had opportunities to either win or lose the game.

Overall Medway deserved their win but credit goes to Tunbridge Wells for a great come back in the second half that was very nearly enough to steal the game.

Medway team:

Petch; Humphrey; Reddish; Taylor; Easton; Beaumont; Johnson; Samuela; Dance; Wadsworth; Garofalo; Burns; Fussell; Liua’ana; Best; Cooley; Huntely; Valevou.