Tunbridge Wells trailed for the majority of this match but got their noses in-front with 10 minutes to go and ultimately were worthy winners of this entertaining and keenly fought contest.

On the day they edged the forwards’ battle, always looked dangerous in their backs and probably most decisively, kicked the ball far better from hand than Medway. During the second half, they continually used the strong following wind to push Medway back deep into their own 22 and made it very difficult for them to escape.

The game was switched to Skinners’ School grounds and the playing surface was surprisingly good given the torrential overnight rain. Medway coach Taff Gwilliam was concerned beforehand that his troops were not “up” for the game and watching the opening encounters he was right.

His team failed to catch the kick off, were slow to react to the loose ball, and were then pushed off the resultant scrum. Things did get better and after six minutes and some useful possession, Ollie Best kicked a penalty to give the visitors a 3 – 0 lead.

TW levelled the score after 12 minutes and then on the 20 minute mark, Medway scored the opening try of the game when Leo Luia’ana was first to dive on an intelligent chip through from Ollie Best. Best converted and Medway led 10 – 3, but one felt with the elements in their favour, it was important for them to score more tries to open up a bigger lead for half time.

Unfortunately this didn’t happen and TW kept the score line close by kicking two further penalties to Medway’s one and going very close to scoring a try themselves on a couple of occasions. Half time 13 – 9 to Medway.

Tunbridge Wells’ half time substitutions seemed to strengthen their forwards, and they ran with added purpose and power in the second half. Medway defended heroically for long periods but with TW’s intelligent kicking into the corners, and Medway’s line out not functioning as efficiently as normal, the visitors found it very difficult to get out of their own half.

For a full 30 minutes Medway soaked up almost continual pressure from TW’s with them battering the Medway line. On several occasions TW did cross the Medway try line but great last ditch tackling prevented the try being scored. Eventually and with a man in the bin, the pressure told and the TW’s powerful forwards did force their way over for a deserved try and good conversion to give them a slender lead of 16 – 13.

This score was the start of a frenetic final 10 minutes of the game. Medway responded immediately to going behind and enjoyed good possession and field position. On 34 minutes TW infringed, and Ollie Best kicked a fine long range penalty, into the wind, to level the scores at 16 all. TW again kicked expertly into the corner, and Medway lost their resultant line out.

Forwards and backs combined to allow the TW winger to touch down in the corner for a good try and an even better conversion followed, 23 – 16. Again Medway responded well and spent the final minutes of the game attacking and stretching the home defence from side to side, but there was no way through and the local lads had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Tunbridge Wells fully deserved their victory but credit goes to the Medway team who showed tremendous fight and spirit in a rear guard second half performance. They appeared to run themselves to a standstill at times and the defensive work was huge.

Special mention to Sam Catlin who looks to be back to his best and winger Leo Liua’ana who tackled anything that moved and was often found in amongst the forwards repelling the TW attacks.

Medway team;

Petch, Humphrey, Cooley, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Samuela, Dance, Best, Liua’ana, Fussell, Burns, Catlin, Wadsworth, Redman, Chalmers, Reddish.

Next game is away at Lewes in the League on Saturday 1st February 2014, kick-off 1415.