A stuttering performance saw Medway overcome Dover at home on Saturday and move up into third place in the league as Sidcup faltered at Chobham.
Medway scored five converted tries in the first 44 minutes and then were forced to defend for the remaining 36 minutes as Dover tried in vain to get something from this game. Medway’s play was full of mistakes and they were guilty, time after time, of trying to force the play rather than build through phases.
Dover took an early 3 – 0 lead after the hosts were penalised 40 metres out. Further unforced errors from Medway followed but on 10 minutes Luke Burns intercepted a Dover pass in retreat, fed Doug Ebanks who made a break and the recycled ball found Dan Harvey to jig his way through the defence to score under the posts, 7 – 3. Medway then enjoyed their best period of the game and raced away to a big lead. Burns featured again and then Harvey made another break up the middle, he fed Ben Dance who had enough pace to beat the covering defence for Medway’s second converted try. Three minutes later Harvey was at it again, this time chipping over the Dover defence to gather his own kick and sprint away for his second try. The conversion made it 21 – 3 to Medway after only 18 minutes.
Maybe wrongly thinking the game was easy, Medway conceded possession to Dover deep in their own half and good hands enabled the visitors to score their first try wide on the right. Ten minutes later further indiscipline from Medway enabled Dover to kick to the corner and good off-loading saw them score another try under the posts, 21 – 17, game back on after 32 minutes!
Stung into action, Medway recovered and scored their best try of the game just before half time as they went through phase after phase and stretched the Dover defence. Sammy Garofalo’s off-load allowed Tom Beaumont to score under the posts and for Medway to go into the interval leading 28 – 17.
Four minutes into the second half, Medway unexpectedly ran a penalty and good hands allowed Luke Burns to score wide on the left. Another good conversion put Medway 35 – 17 up and looking good to run away with the game. It wasn’t to be and Dover had other ideas!
Dover narrowed the deficit to 11 points when they intercepted a loose Medway pass to run in from 40 metres untouched. The final thirty minutes of the game was played predominately in Medway’s half but Dover were unable unlock the home defence and set up a nerve jingling finale.
Overall, not a performance to remember, but at least a bonus point win playing poorly. Credit must go to Dover who would not lie down and twice fought their way back from being a long way behind. Part of Medway’s problems were down to the physicality of Dover and their very direct approach. Medway’s man of the match went to fly half Dan Harvey who scored two tries and kicked five conversions. Max Easton had a fine game in the second row and Charlie Wardzynski had an accomplished game at full back.
Medway entertain league leaders Sutton and Epsom at Preistfields next week, 9th April, KO 3.00pm.
Medway’s team;
Petch, Cooley, O’Leary, Easton, Rutherford, Huntley, Beaumont, B Dance, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Ebanks, Ellis, Garofalo, Wardzynski Subs; Matappa, Liua’ana (both used).