Medway produced another good away performance against mid-table Old Alleynians, to maintain their seventeen point lead at the head of London South East 2.

On a very cold, damp February afternoon, both teams played open rugby on a pitch that was in good condition considering the recent weather. Medway scored five tries in the first half and then went on to register a further six in the second half. Old Alleynians, who were good when in possession, registered three tries during the game and thus came close to a bonus point.

The visitors made the worst possible start to the game, knocking on from the kick off, and then letting the home side ghost through non-existent defence to score under the posts inside two minutes. However, Medway’s first attack went close, but their second resulted in a try when Alfie Orris did well to field a Harvey cross kick and run in for the touch-down. Medway took the lead after 10 minutes when Wardzynski gathered another Harvey kick and burst through some flaky home defence. Further first half tries followed at regular intervals from Tom Beaumont, Sammy Garofalo and a second for Charlie Wardzynski. Harvey added a penalty and two conversions. Alleynians registered their second try after 27 minutes to briefly give them faint hope of a revival. Half time score 32 – 12.

Medway started the second half with real pace and purpose scoring four tries inside the first 10 minutes. James Dance got two of them, Beaumont and Orris both scored their second. After this blitz they eased back and the game progressed for the next 20 minutes without a score. Alleynians scored their third try with 10 minutes remaining but this only spurred the visitors back into action to finish with a flourish and score two tries of their own. Ben Dance touched down at the back of an advancing scrum and then Han Harvey finished a fine flowing move to touch down under the posts. Harvey kick four second half conversions and make his personal tally for the game, 20 points.

For Medway, it was job well done. In truth, both side were good in attack but poor in defence. Medway possessed far more threat than the home team and with a dominate pack, won the game at a canter. Half backs James Dance and Dan Harvey had good games, Sammy G made a welcome return to first team action and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.

Medway play second placed Old Colfeians next week, at home, in what is sure to be their toughest test of 2017 so far.

Medway’s team;

Petch, Humphrey, O’Leary, Fernyhough, Stubbington, Beaumont, B Dance, Huntley, J Dance, Harvey, Burns, Wardzynski, Hall, Orris, Garofalo, Subs; Chalmers, Ellis, Cooley (all used)