Medway travelled to Allianz Park the home of Saracens on Saturday, to take on Sevenoaks in the league.
The game was moved to this “4G all-weather surface” because Sevenoaks’ pitches remain waterlogged. Although narrowly losing, it was a highly entertaining game and a wonderful experience for all of the lads to play in a large stadium and on such a fantastic state of the art playing surface.
Sevenoaks deserved their victory as throughout their team they out muscled Medway, played with a good high tempo, off-loaded well and in Roger Pati, their inside centre, had a stand out match winner. Throughout the game he made huge yards and left a trail of “swatted” Medway defenders in his wake. He was responsible for setting up three of the four Sevenoaks tries, and was the key difference between the two teams on the day.
Each team scored four tries, but decisively, Sevenoaks, who were trailing up to the 39th minute scored just before, and then immediately after half time to establish a 19 – 13 lead. Medway, who had been playing with only fourteen men for the last 10 minutes of the first half, found it difficult to recover from these two body blows, and always seemed to be playing “catch up” rugby in the second half.
Fiu Samuela scored a brace of tries for Medway, Ross Cooley popped up on the wing to register his first of the season, and Sam Catlin, who looked sharp all game scored Medway’s forth. Ollie Best kicked one conversion and a penalty.
Charlie Wardzynski, back in the side at fall back, had a fine all-round game showing good strength and plenty of flair. Youngster Nick Hill came on in the second half at scrum half, and looked very sharp and added some much needed zip to Medway’s play.
A good day for everyone and Medway thank Sevenoaks for hosting the game at such an impressive venue.
Medway team;
Petch, Morant, Cooley, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Samuela, Dance, Best, Liua’ana, Burns, Fussell, Catlin, Wardzynski, Hill, Reddish, Brice.