Cranbrook II 8 Medway Extra First 14
Medway’s Extra 1sts travelled away to Cranbrook last Saturday for their final league match in an outstanding season.
Unusually for this season, team numbers looked tight before leaving Priestfields, with several regulars unavailable through call-ups or work commitments…..and at one point only 14 had pledged allegiance to the cause. Experienced old boys Geoff Kempt and Dominic Collins knew where to find some spare hookers, as they cruised the New Road red-light district. They were only able to find a gap-toothed, scraggily-haired, Jesus-lookalike vagrant who turned out to be Hamish Morgan. This would be the Kiwi’s final game for Medway, as immigration tighten the net. Everyone at Medway would like to wish Hamish, and fellow vagrant Dayne Glassey, all the best for the future, as they both return to New Zealand after 2 great seasons. It only goes to show, that it is possible to survive in the UK for two years, on 30 quid and one pair of underpants.
With a full compliment, Medway arrived at Cranbrook, and set about the matter in hand. Skippered once more by the white tripod Matt Jackson, confidence was high as Medway kicked off.
The early exchanges saw Medway’s powerful pack dominate up front, with Connell, Collins and Settle making good ground. This enabled fly-half genius Geoff Kempt to give it width at every opportunity, but through a combination of poor passing, and Cranbrook’s dogged defence, Medway could not break clear.
It was only a matter of time before the first score would come. Once again fast ruck ball enabled Luke ‘’Hey fatty boom boom sweet sugar dumpling’’ Burns, to outpace the home defence for the first try out wide. Captain Jackson, tripod in hand, slotted the conversion.
Medway were dominant, but had not reckoned on the great leveller…sometimes known as ‘the rules’. For the next thirty minutes Medway’s game was completely nullified by whistle after whistle, as they were constantly penalised for a vast array of offences. Disappointingly, despite trying to play their expansive game, they were unable to extend their lead.
Half Time 0 – 7.
The second half started in similar fashion, as Medway were penalised literally at every breakdown. It was only a matter of time before Cranbrook exploited this gifthorse, and after a period of sustained pressure they registered a good try of their own making. Conversion missed.
Immediately from the restart, Medway conceded a penalty,….. for handball or something,…. and slotted the kick to take a surprise 8 – 7 lead.
How would Medway respond ?...............answer; by getting Mr. Penalty himself, Glen Stapleton sin-binned…….never in the field of human rugby, have so many penalties been conceded by one man for so little.
Despite the growing frustration, Medway continued to play great rugby……excellent lineout work by Mark Stewart, saw the ball spun wide to winger, and fat Robert Pires, David Gwilliam……he beat the first two defenders before putting sluggish fullback Rich Coney clear. He was stopped on the half way line out wide, but Medway were first to the ruck,……all the forwards stayed on their feet,… all the forwards joined the ruck via a six inch corridor behind the ball,… all the forwards apologised to their opponents for being nasty and pushing,… and scrum-half Sam Lancaster was finally able to get some clean ball to his flyhalf. A slick crash ball in the centre, saw spring-heeled babe-magnet Tom Willoughby break the line, he was stopped short of the line but was able to off-load to the supporting babe-magnet Geoff Kempt who dived over for a try in the corner. A brilliant team try. Captain Jackson stepped-up to slot a superb conversion from wide out. Credit must go to Jackson who has developed into an excellent goal-kicker throughout the season, despite not being able to hit a horse’s arse with a banjo at the start.
Medway could sense victory….Cranbrook’s midfield threat was continually thwarted by silent assassin Craig Drummond, who hits harder than Zoe Abbott after a night on the Stella.
Medway continued to press……prop forward Andy Connell….toys safely back in their pram…..crashed through from the halfway line with true determination….as his little fat legs powered towards the try line, only a great cover tackle stopped him…...he was able to offload to poacher-supreme David French, who, for once, was unable to nick the try, as he spilled the ball over the line. Haha.
The final whistle saw a deserved victory for Medway, against a gallant and sporting Cranbrook side.
The result caps a great season for Medway’s mostly young side. The spirit and enthusiasm to play entertaining and quality rugby every week, has made Saturdays a pleasure. Huge praise deserves to go to Skipper Matt Jackson, who, in his first year of captaincy, has lead by example. His passionate commitment to the team and the club has seen a team spirit evolve which is a credit to him. Well done Matt, well done lads. Bring on next season.
Geoff Kempt
Vice Captain
Old Gravesendians II 6 Medway Extra First 33
It was back to winning ways for Medway’s Extra 1sts this Saturday, as they travelled away to take on Old Gravesendians. The afternoon started well for the Medway boys, as it turned out that we would be playing the advertised team.
The optimism level dropped a little, when it was revealed that we would be playing on the home team’s Under 7s pitch, combined with the fact that OGs had scoured north Kent to recruit the biggest blokes south of The Thames. True enough, the game opened with OGs big boys dominating the scrum and contact area….Medway defended resolutely, and were always able to drag their lumpy attackers down. In contrast Medway tried to apply their fast game, but the confines of the pitch always came to the home side’s assistance.
Medway also lacked cohesion from the start, and OGs were rewarded with two well taken penalties from in front, both for offside offences. The first of the penalties was interrupted, as the usually sage-like Medway hooker, Mark Krasij, had a mental aberration, .and decided that he would charge-down the kick…..like that bloke from The Congo in the 1970 World Cup…..muppet.
Medway continued to threaten in the backs, and the cracks started to open….after 30 minutes, a couple of quick rucks saw the ball spun out to Medway’s Mobile Burger Bar Luke McBurns…..he pressed the accelerator and burned calories at an alarming rate, as he sped for the try-line……he was stopped short, but was able to offload to Kiwi Glassey, who’s fine supported saw him notch the first try. Captain Jackson slipped the conversion through, like soap in a prison.
Half-Time,….6 – 7.
Some half-time changes were called for….none more so than Jackson returning to the scrum-half position he is slowly mastering…this freed up the Number 10 jersey for master-passer Geoff Kempt, surely he could find the key to unlock the dynamic Medway backs. Dale Burnley also replaced flanker Davide French, who was exhausted after spending the half being squashed by men three times his size (and that’s not easy.)
From the off, Medway were a different animal….Stapleton, Thompson and the outstanding Spencer Lancaster all made good ground, before quick hands gave McBurns the space to break through OGs defence to score….Jackson picked-up the soap.
The game was still in the balance, and was keenly contested at every break-down, Andy Connell and Hamish Morgan worked like Trojans to turn over OGs ball. One such turnover, enabled salty seaman centre David Gwilliam, to sprint clear from Medway’s 22, he passed onto Jackson who hit treacle, fortunately McBurns was able to get Jackson out of the sticky stuff, as he glided past the last defenders to register his second try…..Jackson picked-up the soap.
Medway turned on the pressure, as the midday sun glinted off the domed roof of the nearby temple……and the Gods were on our side, as ‘chosen one’ Howard Thompson popped-up in the middle of a backs move, to show the defence a clean pair of heals, he dummied his way over to put the game beyond doubt…..Jackson picked-up the soap.
As Kempt conducted operations behind the scrum…..the home defence crumbled, James Rutherford on the wing went close on more than one occasion, and Burns was a threat all afternoon….5 minutes from time Captain Jackson hit the line at pace, and headed for the line…….treacle…..this time it was open-side Glen Stapleton who was on hand to rescue the situation, as he dived over for his second try in two weeks.
This time the soap slipped from Jackson’s grasp.
Medway made one final substitution, as Martin Meatball came on in the front row……from the kick-off everyone knew who had found the soap…as he proceeded to drop everything that came his way…….this was not the case for the sprightly Medway tighthead Jamie Settle, who rose gazelle-like from one kick-off, and batted the ball in field like a well-oiled beach volleyballer (only fatter.)
Final Score…..OGs 6 v Medway 33.
Geoff Kempt
Vice Captain
Medway Extra 1XV 51 Vigo II 3
"A lovely pair of jugs"
No, I refer not to Howard’s girlfriend, or Jamie Settle in the shower,….but to a match which yielded two excellent hat-trick performances. Read on.
Medway Extra 1sts entertained Vigo 2nds at Priestfields on Saturday, and got back to winning ways in their quest for league honours.
Medway opened up strongly, and good rucking saw the ball spun wide…Burns and Rutherford combined to put supporter’s-favourite Richard Coney clear to sprint in from 50 metres for the opening score inside three minutes. Captain Jackson, who complained about ‘the sniffles’ all day…missed the conversion. ( Note to reader….please insert ‘Jackson missed the conversion’, after each try.)
Medway’s pack were under pressure in the scrum, but they started to dominate in the lineout, and were first to every breakdown….Krasij, Stapleton and Morgan leading the way. More quick ball saw Virus Rumsey spin the ball wide to centre Craig Drummond who breached the visitor’s defence, and put Coney away for his second try. (Note….see above…)
Vigo could not cope with Medway’s high-tempo game, and soon after pudgy centre Luke Burns registered a trademark try, as he broke two tackles to race in out wide. ( Note.)
Medway then lost their structure for ten minutes, and put themselves under pressure…Vigo were still a dangerous outfit…and it was too early for Medway to try out the festival-stuff. Indeed, it was Vigo who scored next, with a penalty, after a sustained period of pressure. Jackson gave it the angry-face, and everyone knew that greater effort was required.
The forwards upped their game, good driving and rucking lead by Settle, Thompson and Stewart, ..opened up gaps in the Vigo defence….through such a gap powered ‘the pharmacist’ Andy Connell….could he make line…40 metres (Ferrari)….30 metres (Vectra)….20 metres ( Mark 1 Escort)….10 metres ( Trabant)……5 metres ( McDonalds Happy Meal Free Toy)……..Andy had run out of gas, and was held-up over the line.
Scrum-five to Medway, Thompson to Jackson, Jackson to Kempt…try !!! (Note.)
Medway should have registered one further try before the interval, as Drummond and Kempt combined to put the Virus clear….however, for some reason he must have thought he could score in the bushes (Alice), and the try went begging.
HALF-TIME.
The second period was all Medway….the pack dominated all areas of play, including the scrum…and Vigo’s heads began to drop.
The most popular score of the day went to hard-grafting No8 Howard Thompson…who was rewarded for his support play by grabbing a try out wide early on, after good approach play by the backs.
Burnsy was next, ghosting in from 40 metres, after a set-piece lineout and backs move….a great try.
Medway pressured the Vigo defence relentlessly…and to their credit they never gave in….however 10 minutes in, Captain Jackson delivered a peach of a pass on the blind-side to fullback Rich Coney, who eased past the Vigo defence to score his third try ( Jug 1.)
Medway brought on fresh-legs in the shape of, Meatball, Scott Clark and David Gwilliam, who was making his first appearance after a long injury layoff. The floodgates opened, and to the untrained observer, you would think that Meatball was playing centre and Scott Clark was scrum-half…..it was that point in a game where the forward’s get try-fever and start sprinting about like loonies. Case in point, Jamie Settle, ball in one hand, side-stepping and skipping-around like something out of Disney’s Fantasia.
The next score went to fat-boy James Rutherford on the wing, who sprinted in from 10 metres, after good interplay between Coney and Drummond. (Note).
As Medway attacked at every opportunity, it looked like Luke Burns was going to score his third…..he scorched clear of the defence from deep in his half,..with only the fullback to beat….the wise words of coach Tasker ringing in his ears…In-to-Out, In-to-Out…….at this point it all went wrong, as In-to-Out became Up-to-Down, and Burnsy ran down an imaginary flight of stairs Austin Powers stylee. Funniest thing all season.
Not to be denied though, Burnsy wrapped up the scoring just before the final whistle, with a superb dodging run through the heart of the Vigo defence (Jug 2.)
Final score 51-3 to Medway…with the Man-of-the-Match award rightfully going to Luke Burns.
Geoff Kempt
Vice-Captain
Gravesend III 7 Medway 8
It was one of those afternoons, when nothing seemed to go right for Medway's Extras.
The home side had been well beaten by Medway before Xmas, but at home on their imfamous 'banana' pitch, things were to be a lot tougher.
Medway were missing a number of key players through injury...most of whom were the old-heads who can guide a ship on a stormy night.....the majority of Medway's team on Saturday were barely out of puberty, ...and it was clear than none of them could guide a sneeze into a hanky !
A lacklustre warm-up, was followed by a sluggish start for Medway. Gravesend's large pack cut into Medway's defense from the off, and Medway were lucky to survive without conceding any points.
After 20 minutes, Medway started to gain a foothold, through powerful runs from Steve Smith and Craig Drummond. They were rewarded when good ruck ball was spun wide to well-spoken winger James Rutherford.
Rutherford, who's hamstrings are tighter than Taff's wallet, was able to avoid injury, and dive over in the corner for the opening try. The tricky conversion was missed.
Medway then went sleepy-bye-byes for the rest of the half, and were ultimately punished by Gravesend who scored a try in the corner, following some good driving and scrummaging work. The tricky conversion was slotted, and Gravesend took a 7-5 lead into the half-time interval.
Captain Jackson berated his team during the break, and demanded greater effort and commitment. Time to test the character of the young side.
An increase in tempo in the second period, saw Medway reap immediate rewards...Monish Shome on the flank, and the pugnacious Luke Burns in the centre both made good ground...from the ensuing ruck Gravesend were caught offside. The penalty was directly in front, but at least 35 yards out.....with the chance to regain the lead there was only one man big enough to shoulder the responsibilty, unfortunately Johnny Wilkinson doesn't play for Medway, and so we had to make do with Captain Jackson.
Stonewall Jackson stepped -up, his skinny legs and pastey complexion glinting in the low winter sunlight. The kick sailed high, and bisected the uprights....never in doubt..... 7-8 Medway
Gravesend then threw everything at Medway for the remaining 35 minutes. Most of this time was spent on Medway's goal-line....but they couldn't get the decisive score. Medway's defence was outstanding, with Mark Krasij, Mark Stewart and Glen Stapleton et al all doing their Rourke's Drift bit. Gravesend were awarded four kickable penalties during this period, but amazingly only attempted to kick one which was unsuccessful. A massive let off for Medway.
The final whistle saw Medway in jubilant mood. They had ground out the narrowest of wins, in a match they deserved to lose.
This was by far Medway Extras' poorest performance of the season, but it keeps them firmly in the chase for the League title. The team know that there can be no repeats in the tough matches ahead.
Geoff Kempt
Vice-Captain
Medway Extra First XV 5 Aylesford III 5
A victory for either side last Saturday, would have secured top spot in the league, with half the season remaining.
In what turned out to be a hugely physical and competitive match, neither side was able to secure outright victory, and a draw was probably the right result.
Medway started strongly, and were able to secure enough good ball to release their young backs. Aylesford weathered the storm for 15 minutes, until centre Craig Drummond breached their defensive line in customary fashion. His 30 yard burst was stopped just short of the line, Medway’s forwards won the ensuing ruck, and spun the ball quickly wide for powerful winger Ben Craddock to dive over in the corner. Craddock, who dyes his beard with Lady Grecian 2000, is fast catching gay gigolo Gianfranco French in the leading try-scorer stakes.
Captain Jackson hooked the conversion wide, and repeated the trick 5 minutes later, when Medway were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck.
Shortly after it was Jackson who was on the end of a blatant left hook from an Aylesford forward,….….as keen devotee of all Sylvester Stallone movies, he was able to apply hours of training, and cleverly blocked the punch using his chin. Jackson was unmoved by this wafty haymaker, and unbelievably the offender went unpunished, despite the ref ducking to avoid it.
Medway pressed forward again, and good slick hands set flyhalf Simon Rumsey clear on the overlap with just the fullback to beat…Rumsey, who could normally dodge an elephant in a phone-box, cut inside the last man, ..Unfortunately Dumbo had found his wings, and Rumsey was smashed to the ground in a good try-saving tackle.
Aylesford started to turn the game to suit their preferred style, they kept control of the ball, and with strong driving and mauling play were able to register the equalising try out wide. Crucially the conversion was missed. Further pressure just before the interval resulted in a penalty for an offside offence, once again the visitor’s kicker was unable to slot the kick.
HALF TIME 5-5.
The second half was a hard fought battle, with both sets of forwards not giving an inch. Medway’s pack; Connell, Krasij, Settle, Stewart, Morgan, French, Stapleton and Thompson contested valiantly against a much bigger and more experienced set of forwards.
Few chances came either side’s way.
Medway’s best chance came to debut wing Jon Rumsey…who outpaced his opposite number only to be tackled just short of the line.
Aylesford threatened on one occasion, as their second row broke free from a maul and galloped for the line…however Medway’s pie-eating centre Luke McBurns, chased him down and made a great try saving tackle.
Congratulations to Jon Rumsey, who not only made his debut, but was also able to gain revenge for years of bullying by his older brother Simon, by delivering a perfectly timed hospital-pass to him mid way through the half. Jon sportingly apologised once Simon had regained consciousness.
The stalemate could not be broken, and the final whistle signalled disappointment for both sides.
Medway’s Man of the Match Glen Stapleton accepted his award in true fashion, by tripping over a rake, head butting the wall and swallowing his fist.
G. Kempt
Vice-captain
Sittingbourne II 0 Medway Extra First 48
After several weeks of limited rugby opportunities, due to frozen pitches and Jesus’ Birthday, Medway’s Extras visited Sittingbourne last Saturday in a friendly fixture.
( They resume their league campaign next week, in a tough match at home against Aylesford.)
Pre-match preparation was disrupted as Howard TomTomThompson, took a wrong turn at Biffins Bridge, and lead half the team to Faversham on a tour of the famous Thames Barge Museum. Let’s hope he finds his way to Priestfields next week, and remembers his pants and socks as well.
Captain Jackson, would never permit such trivialities to enter his powerful mind, he ignored Howard’s pathetic sniveling apology,… and demanded that the team deliver a performance of strength and pace, the team duly delivered.
The early deadlock was broken by flimsy flyhalf Simon Rumsey, he charged down an attempted clearance by his opposite number, and dived on the loose ball to open the scoring, Jackson added the extra points.
Sittingbourne’s forwards competed well in the loose, and made fast-ball difficult for Medway…however, gradually the visitor’s forwards started to impose themselves with powerful runs by Sage, Morgan and Boyband-Drobka. This created space for Medway’s backs, and 20 minutes in, flabby centre Luke Burns spotted a gap and raced in at the corner.
Fullback Geoff Kempt demonstrated a chess player’s grasp of strategy soon after with an attempted drop-goal,…as the kick soared majestically towards the centre of the posts, an unexpectedly strong gust of wind dragged the ball narrowly wide at the last second. His team-mates were quick to applaud his smart thinking.
The final score of the half went to Flanker Gianfranco French, following some slick interpassing from a scrum 30 yards out…he was able to sprint through under the posts to the supportive cheers of his team-mates…(‘’go,go,go Frenchie’’). Jackson converted. French has now taken his try tally for the season into double-figures….perhaps because his figure is double that of anybody else. Corpulent puppy.
HALF-TIME 0-19
The second-half started with Medway dominating most areas of play, the scrum in particular was working to devastating effect. An excellent break by centre Craig Drummond, enabled the outstanding Glen ‘Bear’ Stapleton, first in support, last in common-sense, to touch down early on,
Drummond got his reward almost immediately, a 60 yard break by replacement flanker Pete Farrow, set up ideal position for flyhalf Rumsey to execute a well practiced backs move, which released Drummond to burst over, Drummond uttered his customary celebration ‘grunt’ as Jacko slotted the conversion.
Medway threatened at every opportunity, and a brilliant score in the corner by Burns, who scorched in from 40 yards out after beating 4 players, extended Medway’s lead. Rather surprisingly Jackson got the conversion ?
Next on the score sheet was Kiwi winger Dayne Glassey, who touched down in the opposite corner following another great scrum, and good approach work from Jackson, Second-row giant Scotty Clarke was rewarded with the chance to slot the tricky conversion, he missed badly and is unlikely to be asked to perform this role again….so we will have to stick with Jackson.
It was Captain Matt Jackson who rounded off the scoring, and capped an excellent individual performance, by scoring the final try with a 20 yard dash.
C’mon Medway.
Geoff Kempt
Vice-Captain
Medway Extra First 90 Gillingham Anchorians 0
After a two week break, Medway’s mighty second string (aka. ‘Extra 1sts’), resumed their league campaign at home against local rivals Gillingham Anchorians.
As Santa Claus’ helicopter disturbed Coach Dave Tasker’s prematch teamtalk, ..and the pungent aromas of Shiela’s ‘mystery’ cuisine wafted across Priestfields…..it was obvious to the vast crowd of inebriated spectators that something special was about to unfold, they were not to be disappointed.
Medway’s lighter, youthful pack of forwards started in fine fettle; hitting hard in the tackle, rucking aggressively, and contesting strongly in the scrum. Anchs more seasoned pack, were unable to compete with Medway’s high-tempo game. Fast ruckball on 5 minutes saw powerhouse centre Craig Drummond burst through some lackluster defense to open the scoring. Soon after, fullback Rich Coney rounded the Anchs winger to extend the lead.
Further great work by the forwards, pushed Anchs back on their line…..scrum-half, respected Captain, Birthday-Boy and Alcohol Merchant Matt Jackson, used all of his training acquired whilst watching Dale Winton on Saturday evenings, spotted a hole, and dived over for a rare try.
Medway again drove up field, and were awarded a scrum twenty metres out. Uncharacteristically intelligent work at the base by No8 ‘Chuchi’ Thompson, saw him release home-favourite Geoff Kempt, he beat his opposite man for pace, rounded the fullback, smiled at the ref, and scored close in.
Medway’s set-piece play was excellent; Krasij and Drobka (both Anglo Saxons) dominated in the front row, ably assisted by ‘Can’t get a job, so I’m staying at University’ Paul Morant……….( Congratulations to Paul’s dad Des on his recent retirement, although he was disappointed to hear that Carol Vorderman has now left Countdown.)
The final score of the half, went out wide to beardy dumptruck winger Ben Craddock, who slipped into diesel-mode to chug over for a deserved try.
HALF-TIME 45-0.
Any hopes by the visitors, that Medway would take their foot off the gas were to be dashed….as the Extras opened up a can of festive woop-ass.
Medway’s pedigree second-row chums, Mark Stewart and sleepy Hamish Morgan powered upfield from the restart…..a loose ball was kicked through by virus-magnet Simon Rumsey, and he gleefully dived on the ball, like a discarded kebab, to score under the posts.
Medway made some substitutions…Joel Jenkins, Nick Thomas and Sam Lancaster, which just added to the pressure on the visitors. Although the positional move of Captain Jackson from scrum-half to flanker, nearly let Anchs back in. They spotted the ‘weakest link’ and kicked in his direction whenever possible…..Jackson, who couldn’t catch a cold in Ernest Shackleton’s underpants, dropped the ball time and time again like a small girl flapping at butterflies in a summer meadow. Having used all their subs, the skipper stayed-on.
Dumptruck Craddock delivered another payload shortly afterwards….the man’s a machine.
Flanker, and Viagra test-pilot, Gianfranco French, popped-up, as usual, out of position, on the right wing to register another poacher’s try.
Dumptruck Craddock, air-brakes off and into second gear, made his third delivery of the day shortly after…..followed by further slick tries for target-man Drummond and two more for the outstanding Coney.
The final, and most popular try of the afternoon came to flanker Richard Bates…..his hard work throughout the match was rewarded when he took a clever inside pass from spherical centre Luke ‘no tries today’ Burns, to register his first try of the season. He treated the crowd to the trademark ‘Batesy Abseil’ celebration (ref. Youtube).
With Captain Jackson converting all of the tries scored under the posts (his speciality)….Medway ran out deserved winners, registering a record scoreline.
Well done lads, Happy Xmas.
Man of the Match….Mark Krasij ( Brilliant all-round performance….and best one-liners.)
Geoff Kempt
Vice-Captain
Sevenoaks III 10 Medway Extra First 36
Medway Extra Ist XV travelled to Sevenoaks on Saturday….for a tricky League match against tough opposition.
It was an eventful journey, …. Medway lost Tyler Gee with a blown gasket….and several players needed counseling after foolishly accepting a lift from freshly qualified driver Luke ‘Get out of my way’ Burns.
Sevenoaks started strongly, and caught Medway cold, with an unconverted try in the corner within 5 minutes. Medway responded with a beautifully worked try from their backs, which saw Tom Willoughby put fullback Rich Coney clear to touchdown in the corner. Medway then went back to sleep, to gift Sevenoaks a second unconverted try out wide.
Medway’s pack were under pressure for long periods of the first-half,..however their impressive defense kept the home side at bay…..Medway’s reward came in the shape of rotund centre Luke Burns, who ghosted past 4 defenders before scorching in from 50 metres. Naval attaché David Gwilliam slotted the extra points…….to put Medway narrowly ahead at halftime.
The second period started bizarrely with mixed fortunes for centre Tom Willoughby, an outstanding individual try from home-grown talent Willoughby…became of secondary importance soon after, as Tom suffered a worrying leg injury. Medway would like to express their gratitude to Sevenoaks for their help and care for Tom whilst awaiting the ambulance….we all wish Tom a speedy recovery.
The match resumed after 10 minutes on an adjacent pitch…and to their credit Medway then proceeded to play some of their best rugby of the season.
A powerful burst, of what could only be described as speed, from dumptruck winger Ben Craddock, saw him beat (run straight through) three defenders to register a great score out wide.
Medway suffered a second injury blow, with the loss of flyhalf Gwilliam with a dislocated elbow, he was replaced by passing and kicking specialist Matt Jackson.
Medway’s forwards had broken the spirit of their opponents, and started to secure more and more quality scrum, lineout and ruck ball. This enabled their backs to threaten the home defense with every attack, and it wasn’t long before the popular, and good-looking winger Geoff Kempt sprinted in from 60 metres, with the aid of a deft chip over the Sevenoaks fullback. Jackson converted from in front of the posts (his speciality.)
Rampant Medway continued to attack; Morgan, Meatball, Krasij and Coney all made outstanding breaks. One such break saw skipper Mark Krasij feed nutty flanker Glen Stapleton, he cleverly ignored passing to out-of-breath prop Jamie ‘Doghouse’ Settle, and instead found Geoff Kempt with a deceptively poor pass. Kempt, who is younger than he looks, spotted a gap, and scored his second try under the posts, with a slick angled run. Jackson converted from in front of the posts (his speciality.)
The final play of the game saw Jackson try an audacious drop goal from directly in front of the posts (his speciality)…he missed, twat.
This was a fantastic all round performance by a Medway team gaining in confidence each week.
Man of the Match; Scrum-Half Sam Lancaster.
Geoff Kempt
Vice-Captain
06.12.08
Medway Extra First 32 New Ash Green 1XV 14
29 November 2008
A postponement in Medway Extra 1st ‘s league programme, enabled their young side to test their mettle against potentially much tougher opposition, in New Ash Green 1sts. Only a couple of years ago, this would have been a full 1st team fixture.
Twenty minutes of stalemate was broken when skipper Matt Jackson landed a penalty kick for hands in the ruck. Shortly after Medway returnee Michael Scaife grounded a kick through by chunky winger Luke Burns, to register the opening try. Jackson slotted the tricky conversion.
Medway’s lighter forwards defended resolutely for the rest of the half, and were rewarded when their dynamic fullback Rich Coney capitalized on an error in the NAG backs, kicked ahead, and went the length of the field to score out wide. Not converted.
HALF TIME 15-0.
Despite the customary words of wisdom at half time by the ageing Jackson, Medway started the second period half-asleep, and conceded a soft converted try shortly after the restart.
A Scaife penalty following an offside offence, steadied Medway’s nerves……and shortly after NAG were reduced to 14 men, when their centre was sin-binned for a stamp on Medway prop Andy Connell.
Connell, who should be commended for his discipline, responded soon after to punish this indiscretion. Good work in the lineout by Italian Flanker Gianfranco Viagra and Number 8 Howard ‘chuchi’ Thompson, enabled Connell to power over in the corner, with three NAG defenders clinging helplessly to his mighty shorts. Scaife converted.
NAG to their credit fought back straight away, and scored their second converted try from a pushover scrum…..Medway had allowed their focus to slip once more, following an unfortunate incident between second-row forward Mark Stewart and some discarded Pedigree Chum.
However it was Medway who secured the spoils, when winger Ben Craddock set fullback Coney clear once more to register another impressive long range try……….Scaife capped a magnificent debut by converting once again.
The final whistle saw congratulations all round, for a great team performance, …and reward for the growing band of ‘Extras’ supporters and WAGs who braved the chilly conditions.
Geoff Kempt
Vice Captain