1 October 2006
Despite the final score this was a tough opening match for Medway. Brentwood started well and kept the visitors pinned in their own half for most of the first half. Expertly recycling and retaining the ball through multiple phases, the Essex side put increasing pressure on the Medway defence. But determined tackling kept them out, often right on the goal line.
Vezza is in for the first
In the thirteenth minute the Medway forwards broke away, and some powerful running by Tom Barnes and Richard Petch took the visitors to the opposition 22. The ball came to Richard Verrall who exchanged passes with Aman Gill before going over under the posts for the first try, and Stewart Stockford converted.
Brentwood came back strongly but another break, this time by Am, freed Stewart to go over for the second.
Shortly before half-time Brentwood were at last rewarded for the pressure their fine forward play had created and went over in the corner after a series of rucks and mauls in the Medway 22. The sides turned round with the score 12 - 5 to Medway.
Another one for Richard
With the gentle slope in their favour and the wind behind, Medway ran away with the match in the second half.
Richard Verrall ran in two tries from deep in the first four minutes after breaking through attempted tackles, and Stewart converted both. At 26 - 5 the match was won, but with Brentwood's tackling becoming increasingly ragged Medway were in no mood to ease off.
Tom Bourne switched from fullback to wing and was put into the corner by Stewart after some expert mauling by Tom Barnes.
Jamie Chapman then displayed his footballing skills by fly-hacking the ball over 60 metres before the ball bounced perfectly into his arms to go under the posts.
Tom goes through on the wing
Tom Bourne got his second after another driving run by Richard Verrall and with Stewart's conversion took the score to 45 - 5.
Richard Verrall deserved the final word after another impressive running and tackling display. From the re-start he was popped a pass from Gavin Hyder, smashed through two tacklers to score under the posts for his fourth try, and then converted it himself to make the final score to 52 - 5.
