17 February 2008
Sevenoaks are a tough proposition at any time, but with eight players missing Medway were likely to have their work cut out to keep their unbeaten record against this opposition. It turned out to be a very entertaining game, with both sides committed to open running rugby, and Medway deserving the win for their second half performance.
The opening exchanges saw both sides using their backs. Medway's three-quarters were involved early and often, and a sweeping move across the line left Tom Bourne inches short. Joe Jelfs, following up, picked up and grounded the ball but the referee was unsighted and didn't give it, a theme continuing from last week's match.
For the following ten minutes the Sevenoaks backs saw plenty of ball but were forced sideways more often then not by the strong defensive wall put up by Medway. Medway were more direct and straightened their attacks whenever possible. In the 20th minute, another backs move from a scrum took it to within ten metres, where the forwards took over and drove and rucked to within two metres where they forced the defence to concede a penalty. Paul Pierce tapped and drove, taking Sevenoaks by surprise and scoring nearing the corner.
Medway's back line had been looking as solid in defence and as slick in attack as it had for months, but then came a blow as fly-half Aman Gill had to go off with a back injury. Stewart Stockford moved to fly-half, Tom Bourne to outside centre, and to his surprise hooker Jordan Hannah found himself playing on the wing. While Medway adjusted to this novelty, Sevenoaks struck back with two converted tries in the space of three minutes.
Medway won a scrum in their own 22, but the clearance kick was charged down and the ball rolled into the in-goal. Anywhere else it would have gone dead, but the in-goal at Sevenoaks slopes up at about 40 degrees, which slowed it down enough for the Sevenoaks Number 8 to reach it and touch it down. The conversion was made and Medway were behind.
Medway came back strongly but the team's recent inability to retain the ball in contact manifested itself again, and this time the error was punished. From within 15 metres of the Sevenoaks line the ball was stolen from a maul and seconds later Medway were back in their own 22 with the defence in rags. The Sevenoaks openside flanker was fed the ball from a ruck, feinted outside nicely and then cut inside, beating Jonathan Saddington's last-gasp tackle and going under the posts. The conversion gave Sevenoaks a 14 - 5 lead. Their tails were up and the boost to their confidence was visible.
Medway knew they had to hit back quickly and a determined pack kept the visitors in the home 22 for the rest of the half. Twice they drove the Sevenoaks pack back over their own goal-line, but without being able to ground the ball. Then at last they managed to get clean, if slow, ball from a ruck and Stewart Stockford drove into the corner from ten metres out. He converted the try superbly from out wide, and Medway turned around two points behind.
The opening minute of the second half saw Simon Brooks, who was having a great game at inside centre, making a desperate covering tackle to save a try in the corner. Had it been scored the final outcome might have been different but, as it was, Sevenoaks rarely threatened Medway's line again. The visitors dominated possession and territory from then on, despite seeming to lose the ball at every contact, breakdown and maul.
Ten minutes into the half Jack Thompson took a quick tap penalty and the ball was fed to George Dyer on the crash. Forced over and grounding the ball, the referee failed to give the try again (even the Sevenoaks players admitted it was a try, though not to the referee of course!)
It was in the last fifteen minutes that Medway finally saw the game home, keeping the pace up while Sevenoaks seemed to tire. A penalty for handling in the ruck gave Stockford the chance to slot a penalty from 30 metres to give Medway a one point lead at 14 - 15.
Then Stockford struck again on the crash ball from a five metre scrum and went in near the posts for a converted try that put Medway two scores ahead.
There was still time to drive Sevenoaks back over their line for yet another near-thing, and then the final whistle brought a hugely enjoyable and sporting contest to a close.
