Medway entertained Sussex side Hove at their Priestfields Ground on Saturday looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The home side had been strengthened by the return of some 1st regulars so it was always going to be a tough day for Hove who themselves were missing some key back row forwards.

The match kicked off and the visitors knocked on. From the resultant scrum Medway attacked the blindside and good execution from Dance and Stubbington put Alfie Orris away for the opening try and an emphatic start from Medway. The try was unconverted.

With only 5 minutes on the board Medway scored their second try. Having worked their way upfield from the re-start they won a penalty at the breakdown. Dan Harvey kicked to the corner and a well executed catch and drive saw Max Easton get the touchdown. A good conversion from Ryan Redman out wide made the score 12-0.

Medway were playing some quality rugby and on 12 minutes went further ahead. A cross kick from Harvey was re-gathered by Charlie Wardzynski who shrugged off 3 would be tacklers to score a well taken try. Redman added the conversion and Medway were ahead 19-0.

On 21 minutes  Medway won turnover ball at the breakdown and counter attacked through Redman. Orris picked a great line off a Redman pass and beat the cover defence from the halfway line to secure the try bonus point. Redman kicked the conversion 26-0.

Medway then lost Captain Mike Gardner to a leg injury. Replaced by Richard Petch Medway continued to take the game to their their visitors with quality support and phase play. On the back of these multiple phases more good work from Wardzynski saw him release Alfie Orris for him to score his hatrick try. Redman was again on target and Medway led 33-0.

Hove’s problems were compounded when Medway attacking the line saw an almost certain try prevented by a knock on. The referee adjudged it deliberate and sent the offending player to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Medway opted for the lineout off the resultant penalty and Amon Panikoula crashed over from short range. Redman again was on target making the score 40-0.

Medway continued to pile on the pressure and on 38 minutes good line out ball saw Harvey combine with Conor Chalmers for him to score a clinically executed try. Redman converted 47-0.

Immediately from the kick off Medway move the ball and Tom Beaumont, who had an excellent afternoon, put Conor Chalmers away for his second try in as many minutes. With the conversion missed this made the half time score 52-0.

The second half started and from a scrum deep in Hove’s 22, James Dance combined with Antony Clement for Clement to crash over from short range. Redman converted 59-0.

To Hove’s credit their young side never gave up and on 49 minutes got themselves on the scoreboard. Good ball retention and sharp hands saw Phil Duggard run an excellent line to break the home defence and score a quality try near the posts. The conversion was missed 59-5.

Medway brought on Jack Rigby at hooker for his 1st XV debut. Peter Walsh made his 1st XV return after a couple of seasons away when he came on for Clement at centre.

Both Clement and Bill Sandison had to return to the field when both locks Max Easton and Amon Panikoula were forced to leave the field through injury.

Despite the re-shuffle Medway continued to play good rugby. Following a clearing kick from Hove the home side counter attacked and on the back of several phases and good handling eventually created the overlap for Wardzynski to score. With Redman adding the conversion the score was 66-5.

On 70 minutes Medway scored again. Sharp play from James Dance saw him set up Orris for a 4th try. The conversion made the score 73-5.

Hove kicked off and Lewis Stimpson gathered the ball and broke the visitors line. More good handling saw Conor Chalmers put away for his hatrick try. This was converted by Redman 80-5.

On 74 minutes Medway were attacking from deep when a loose pass was intercepted and Hove scored under the posts. The try was converted 80-12.

The final say of the day went to Medway when on a Hove put in at a scrum near their line Medway drove them off the ball and Lewis Stimpson scored the try to make the score 85-12.

Coach Taff Gwilliam said ‘We played some quality rugby today. It was an excellent team performance.’ he added ‘Hove are a good club and their young players never gave up. Despite the scoreline they kept battling and credit to them for that’.