A very young Medway team narrowly lost out to Westcombe Park in the Kent Cup Plate Final played at Footscray RFC on Sunday.
In a highly entertaining game for the crowd assembled for “finals day”, Medway held the advantage in the forwards particularly at scrum time, whereas Westcombe’s backs had the upper hand and were a constant threat all afternoon.
Medway led for most of the first half scoring three tries but were unable to pull away from their opponents. Every time the locals scored, Westcombe hit back with a score of their own. Medway’s points came from a penalty try, an excellent team try finished off by Tom Beaumont and a scrum push over, scored by Eanna Flanagan. Charlie Wardzynski kicked two conversions – half time score 19 – 12 to Medway.
Westcombe scored two decisive tries in the opening eight minutes of the second half to take the lead and from then onwards Medway fought bravely to stay in the game but were unable to get back on terms and were limited to solitary penalty try when the Medway pack drove the opposition back over their try line. Westcombe added a further try and penalty to their earlier second half scores.
Young Charlie Wardzynski played well at fly half, controlling the game well with excellent line kicks. The forwards were good all afternoon and it was excellent to see both Lyam and Ben Johnson back in the first team fold after missing most of the season through injury.
This game ends the 2013/14 season and the club dinner awards evening takes place on 9th May 2014.
Medway team;
Brice, Humphrey, Lyam Johnson, Easton, Weobley, Huntley, Beaumont, Flanagan, Hill, Wardzynski, Chalmers Liua’ana, Burns, Catlin, Ben Dance, Ben Johnson, Morant, Simpson, Kay.