The final home game of the season saw Medway entertain Old Colfeians at Priesfields, a match played in front of a large home crowd including both club sponsors and Vice Presidents.
Unfortunately, neither side really managed to come to terms with the tricky windy conditions or the ref’s whistle. The net result was a rather disappointing spectacle, salvaged by a late flourish and brace of tries by the home side in the closing minutes of the game.
The win did however guarantee Medway’s very respectable 3rd position in the league, and also a place in the Kent Plate final, as the game served as a double header for the Cup semi-final.
The local lads played into the strong wind in the first half and despite the conditions controlled the ball and field position for much of the forty minutes. Given the territory and possession they enjoyed, the slender 11 – 6 lead was disappointing but one expected them to dominate the second half. Medway’s first half points came via two good Ollie Best penalties (into the wind) and a well worked team try, finished off by full back Charlie Wardzynski. Old Colfeians stayed in touch by kicking two penalties themselves.
The second half domination didn’t materialise – far from it. Medway spent the opening ten minutes camped on their own line as Old Colfe’s pressed to level the scores. Medway were reduced to 14 men for persistent infringements and eventually the Old Boy’s centre dodged his way through the middle of a maze of players and scored a deserved try, 11-11 with 29 minutes still to play.
Old Colfe’s try did create a reaction from the home team and they immediately went back on the attack. The forwards set up a controlled driving maul from a line out and went over for a converted try scored by Max Easton and kicked by Best.
A penalty extended their lead further on 30 minutes and then in the closing five minutes Medway scored two fine converted tries. From a dominant scrum Eanna Flanagan picked up from the base and crashed over beneath the posts.
Straight from the kick off, and knowing that they needed a fourth try to secure the bonus point, Medway ran the ball from deep inside their own half. Good recycling and swift hands set Leo Liua’ana free and he outpaced the covering defence to score under the posts. Final score 35 – 11.
Medway team;
Cooley, Humphrey, Petch, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Flanagan, Dance, Best, Liua’ana, Burns, Fussell, Catlin, Wardzynski, Johnson, Wadsworth, Hill.
Next and last league game is at away to champions Charlton Park on the 12th April.