On yet another wild and windy Saturday, which has been the norm lately, Medway welcomed Gosport and Fareham RFC to Priestfields for the first time ever.

Respective league positions of the two teams, indicated that Medway should prevail and therefore the comfortable home win was no great surprise. However, as Medway’s preparations had been badly disrupted by late team changes, the performance and character shown by the whole squad was commendable.

Medway opened the game brightly and the early exchanges were mostly in the Gosport half. After 10 minutes Medway’s pressure resulted in a scrum 10 metres out. The forwards went for the drive and scrum half James Dance snapped up the loose ball, and beat several defenders to force his way over for the first try. Harvey converted and Medway were on their way at 7 – 0 up.

Soon afterwards, having made a few errors behind the gain line, full back Charlie Wardzynski cleared up the mess with a dazzling run into the Gosport 22. The ball was recycled quickly and Harvey released Luke Burns to cut a great line and score an excellent try under the posts, 14 – 0. Harvey extended the lead on 35 minutes with a penalty when the ref’s patience ran out with persistent offences and sent a Gosport player to the bin.

On the stroke of half time Medway scored their third try when the forwards won a scrum against the head in the Gosport 22, and fly half Dan Harvey, ghosted through the defence to score in the corner. Half time 22 – 0 to Medway.

Gosport and Fareham enjoyed their best period of the game immediately after the interval and scored after only four minutes. Medway infringements allowed Gosport to kick for the corner and when their lineout drive was halted, a well disguised blind side break resulted in a good try in the corner. Medway were forced to soak up more Gosport pressure before setting up camp in the Gosport half again. After a couple of missed scoring opportunities, Medway were awarded a penalty try as the home pack took full advantage of their scrum dominance.

Late in the game a loose kick out of defence by Gosport was fielded by Wardzynski and he set off on another great run. Having out-paced the covering defence he unselfishly fed the ball inside to supporting Luke Burns to score his second try.

Battling, gutsy performance by the whole team, excellent scrummaging from the front five of Petch, Sandison, O’Leary, Easton and Weobley. Tom Beaumont had a great game in the back row and was a constant threat, Doug Ebanks carried well, but man of the match deservedly went to Luke Burns in the centre.

Medway face Dover away next week kick off 1430.

Medway’s team;

Petch, Sandison, O’Leary, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Ebanks, J Dance, Harvey, Chalmers, Burns, Liua’ana, Garofalo, Wardzynski, Subs; Morant, Fernyhough, Catlin (all used).