10 February 2008
Medway had to put up another fine defensive display against a Barking side bolstered by a number of their U17 squad. After some early sparring in the middle of the field, Barking moved into the Medway 22 for a period but were unable to capitalise on their position.
Jamie looks back at the 70 metres
he just covered
In the 12th minute, shortly after the visitors went close in the left corner, a clearance kick was fumbled by the Barking winger and Jamie Chapman pounced. Chipping the ball up with his boot, he caught it in one smooth movement, beat the fullback and sprinted 70 metres to go under the posts for another fine individual try. Stewart Stockford converted and Medway had a somewhat undeserved 7 - 0 lead.
Barking moved back up the field immediately and tested Medway's defence repeatedly, both through forward charges and through their pacy centres. The next ten minutes were all in Medway's 22 and eventually the Medway wall splintered following a set move by the Barking backs involving two dummy runners. The conversion was made and the scores were levelled.
The try woke up Medway a bit and they immediately made a number of strikes into the heart of the Barking defence. Unfortunately they made too many mistakes at the breakdown - either getting turned over or losing the ball in contact or conceding penalties - to put much pressure on.
Tom Bourne went into the corner after good work by Richard Verrall, but the referee was unsighted on the other side of the maul and could not give the try.
A break by Stewart Stockford nearly bore fruit but the ball was dislodged in the tackle and although Aman Gill touched down play was brought back for a scrum.
The pattern was repeated in the second half, with Medway doing good work before giving away a penalty or making a handling error. The home side regained the lead from a Stockford penalty, but were pegged back again three minutes later as Barking slotted one of their own.
Aaron scores the decisive try
Barking were retaining and recycling the ball well when they had possession, while Medway's play continued to be incisive in the break and then ragged and error-strewn at the breakdown, with their usually good support play sadly missing. It was ironic therefore that the decisive score came from a rare Barking error.
Bourne caught a deep kick into the Medway half and was driven 35 metres by the pack, but when the ball wasn't used the scrum went to Barking. The fly half dropped the pass from the base, and Aaron Dimmick picked up and ran in close to the posts. Stockford converted again and Medway had the lead for the third time.
Barking had five minutes to save the game but Medway's defence held out and a tough game ended well for the home side.
