Medway entertained London Cornish at Priestfields on Saturday in bright sunny conditions on an excellent playing surface. Both teams came into the match following tough won victories the previous week.

The game kicked off and Medway started sharply and went close early on. Alfie Orris and Ryan Redman combining to threaten the visitors line. Cornish survived with some good last ditch defence. Medway maintained the pressure and a penalty in front of the post for offside saw Redman kick successfully and the home side led 3-0.

London Cornish had a chance to hit back straight away but an errant throw at the line out turned the ball over. Medway cleared their lines successfully.

On 14 minutes Medway produced some superb teamwork. Excellent carries led by team Captain Mike Gardner and centre Charlie Wardzynski saw Medway go through several phases and stretch the visitors defence. Accurate hands and good breakdown work eventually enabled Redman to scamper over between the posts for a try he converted himself and a 10-0 lead.

The home side had their tails up and and more great work at the breakdown from Lewis Stimpson and Tom Beaumont caught the visitors defence napping. James Dance was too quick and before they could re-organise he exploited the space to score under the posts. Redman added the conversion and Medway were 17-0 to the good.

London Cornish looked to get back into the game and managed to create an overlap out wide but inaccurate hands saw the ball go to ground Beaumont gathered the ball up. Wardzynski in support made a break and good ball handling put Conor Chalmers away to score out wide. The conversion was missed but Medway were playing their best rugby of the season to date.

The quality of Medway’s rugby continued as they secured the kick off Panikoula and Stubbington backed up by Richard Petch were giving nothing away for the visitors to feed off. A great midfield break from Adam Dady provided front foot ball. Beaumont and Orris combined for the latter to break some last ditch tackles and score in the corner. The try bonus point was secured after just 27 minutes. A great touchline conversion from Redman put Medway ahead 29-0.

Medway were playing all the rugby and Cornish were defending desperately. A high tackle in front of the Cornish posts on Redman saw him add the 3 points and put the lead out 32-0.

Medway continued to press London Cornish at every opportunity and on 36 minutes Gardner, leading by example, won a penalty when Cornish were penalised for holding on. Redman kicked the penalty and Medway went in at half time 35-0 up. This was Medway’s finest half of rugby this season.

The second half kicked off and Cornish with their pride dented were not going to capitulate. Medway infringed at the kick off and Cornish kicked into the corner. Their catch and drive was thwarted but smart play saw them attack the blindside and eventually score in the corner. An excellent touchline kick saw the try successfully converted. 35-7.

Medway bounced back straight from the kick off. Young 18 year old debutant fullback Zachary Garratt made a break in midfield the ball was re-cycled well for Orris to race away and score under the posts. The conversion was kicked by Redman and and Medway led 42-7.

Medway continued to play all the rugby and were soon hammering away at the Cornish defence. To their credit they continued to defend phase after phase but a kick over the top by Redman saw Wardzynski win the race for the touchdown and Medway were on the scoreboard again. With the try unconverted Medway now led 47-7.

London Cornish are a team who never give up and despite being well behind on the scoreboard were still looking to play. That endeavour was rewarded when a combination of good play from the visitors, combined with poor height in the contact area from Medway, saw Cornish breach the Medway line. The try was converted to bring the score back to 47-14.

This game was a great spectacle for the large crowd and Medway delighted them once more with some great team play. Beaumont provided the break off some excellent line out work from the Billy Humphrey, Jordan Stubbington combination. The ball was released to Rusty Clement, having his finest game of the season, for him to cut an excellent line and score. Redman converted to make the lead 54-14.

On 65 minutes Medway once again broke the Cornish defence. James Dance put the ball behind the visitors defence Wardzynski re-gathered the ball drew the last defender and fed Adam Dady for him to score under the posts. With the conversion Medway extended their lead to 61-14. That was Dady’s last act as he was replaced by young Dan Goodall.

Medway’s attacking play was irresistible with Charlie Wardzynski causing havoc with the Cornish defence. Medway once again breached the visitors line. Good breakdown work from Amon Panikoula and Tom Whitnell backed up by quality handling put Orris away to complete his hatrick of tries. The conversion was missed but Medway were 66-14 ahead.

London Cornish are a proud team and never give up. In the last 3 minutes of the game they ran in two great tries. Sloppy defence from Medway with the game won combined with the visitor’s real ambition saw them twice play from their own half (one of them on their own goal line) and score to achieve an excellent try bonus point.

Medway were victorious 66-26. A great entertaining game for those spectators present.

Medway coach Taff Gwilliam said ‘ Whilst I was a little disappointed with the final few minutes, credit to Cornish for not giving in, it does not detract  from the fact that I am absolutely delighted with the attacking rugby we played today. I thought we played some irresistible stuff. Everybody played their part. This was a superb team performance and a great result’.