On a lovely bright September afternoon Medway lined up against Havant for their first home league game of the season.

Having secured a good win at Brighton last week, it was important for the locals to back that up with a solid performance at Priestfields.

Medway chose to play into the wind in the first half and started the game well. Their first try came after only four minutes and this gave them confidence to play some scintillating rugby for the opening thirty minutes. They were very impressive and Havant had no answer to wave after wave of Medway attack. Medway scored four tries from Sam Catlin, Dan Huntley, Charlie Wardzynski and James Dance. Dan Harvey slotted three conversions and two penalties to open up a 32–0 lead and the game was effectively over as a contest inside 30 minutes.

Understandably, the locals were unable to maintain such intensity and allowed Havant to score a try just before half time.

The second half was a more even affair, with both sides scoring three tries apiece. Havant, showing commendable fight, ran the ball at every opportunity, maintaining possession well, and stretched the home defence from side to side. Medway played in patches but errors crept into their game offering Havant regular turn over possession. Medway’s tries came from Ben Dance and two for Sam Garofalo.

Medway’s whirlwind start to the game was outstanding with all of the players showing great skill and physical intensity. Coaches Gwilliam and Longstaff were understandably pleased to see all of their hard work on the training ground, paying off on the pitch. Medway’s man of the match went to centre Fred Tila, Wardzynski and Beaumont also got mentions from the selection panel for their contributions. Dan Harvey had a good day, kicking eight of his nine shots on goal.

Overall, it was a great team performance and one which Medway will strive to repeat in the coming games. Next week Medway travel to Chobham, which on paper looks to be one of the toughest matches of the season. Chobham narrowly missed out on promotion last season, losing in the play-off, and have started the new season well with two impressive victories.

Medway’s team;

Mataapa, Sandison, O’Leary, Easton, Rutherford, Huntley, Beaumont, B Dance, J Dance, Harvey, Garofalo, Liua’ana, Tila, Catlin, Wardzynski, Subs; Petch, Chalmers, Fernyhough (all used).