Whilst the final score may look convincing, Medway’s performance against Deal and Betteshanger Lions at Priestfields last Saturday was far from it!

Medway held a slender lead for much of the second half and with ten minutes to go, and Deal and Betteshanger throwing into two lineouts only 5 metres from Medway’s line, the visitors looked likely to cause a major upset. Somehow though, Medway managed to repel the Lions attacks and then break the visitor’s hearts by scoring three tries in the final five minutes of the game to pull away and secure the bonus point.

In damp, gloomy conditions with mist that made seeing difficult, Medway made the perfect start when fly-half Dan Harvey intercepted a loose pass deep in the visitors 22, and ghosted in under the posts for a seven point early lead. Soon afterwards, Harvey extended this lead through a simple penalty and everything looked to be going to plan. Deal however, did not roll over, they raised their game and started to play some flowing rugby and Medway’s defence was less than convincing. Deal were denied a try after 13 minutes when the referee thought the final pass was forward. Medway were unable to string their play together as either handling errors, penalty infringements or great work by Deal at the break down, broke up their flow.

With neither side able to dominate play, Medway knocked over another penalty after 28 minutes but soon afterwards Deal hit back with a well taken try after a Medway handling error on the half-way line presented Deal with easy possession. 13 – 5 at the interval to the home side.

Unfortunately much of the play in the second half, was as dull as the weather. The game was full of stoppages and the referees’ whistle dominating proceedings. A string of penalty infringements saw Medway pinned back with a scrum five metres from their line. Another penalty presented Deal with the opportunity to run the ball and their short attacking drives resulted in a converted try to narrow Medway’s lead to 13 -12. For the next fifteen minutes neither side dominated play and the game remained error strewn with lots of stoppages.

Medway’s scrum won a penalty after 25 minutes which Harvey converted to put Medway four points in front, but then further penalties allowed Deal back into the game and kick for the corner and throw into the lineout 5 metres from Medway’s line. With ten minutes remaining, the game was there for either side to win and it was Medway who took their opportunities. As the mist seemed to lift, so did the quality of the home sides play.

Suddenly passes started to stick and the tempo of Medway’s play increased. A fine flowing move was well finished by Luke Burns in the left corner, giving the home side a cushion of a two score lead. Straight from the kick off and with their tails up, Joe Fernyhough made a great break and he fed James Dance who ran in under the posts from 40 metres.

In the final play of the game Medway took the scrum option when Deal were penalised close to their line. A fantastic drive by the pack resulted in a penalty try and the four try bonus point.

The final score line and result was harsh on Deal and Bettes who, for most of the game, were very competitive and probably deserved more from the game. Medway were far from satisfied with their performance and have plenty to work on before they face two difficult away games in January.

Medway’s team;

Petch, Cooley, O’Leary, Easton, Stubbington, Beaumont, B Dance, Huntley, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Clement, Walsh, Orris, Wardzynski, Subs; Fernyhough, Sandison, Hall (all used)