Medway Vets Crash out at semi-final stage.
Medway Vets 22 Tonbridge Juddians 32.
Medway Vets crashed out of the Evergreen Plate Competition at Priestfields last Saturday at the semi-final stage.
On a warm Saturday the old boys went behind early in the first half. Playing down the slope with the wind at their backs Medway fumbled deep in TJs territory – to allow the visitors to pick up, quickly move the ball wide and score in the corner. The locals put together a number of attacking plays with penetrating runs from Stuart Cullen, Gary Davies and Andy Connell. However, another mistake within the Medway forwards, followed by a number of missed tackles saw TJs cut through the middle to go under the sticks. Tjs with their tails up , took advantage of more poor tackling to add another converted try. The red and yellow old boys hit back and after sustained pressure deep in TJs half , Gavin Green picked up from the base of a scrum to go over under the posts. A late converted penalty by Chris Thomas saw the end of the half at 17 points to 10.
Medway knew they still had it in them to take the game, with a strong squad of skilled players keen to make a final. A mix up at the start of the second period put Medway on the back foot and TJs capitalised with a score through poor defence. It took 2 more tries from the visitors before Rochester`s best decided to respond. Some good attacking plays set up through Colin Germany and Brian Packer brought a try from George Cook out wide. Then in the dying moments the home boys had the last say. Quick ball from Graham McManus went through a number of players hands for a well earned try from Geoff Kempt. Medway look back on a missed opportunity but look forward already to a new season with some new players freshly blooded into the art of old boy`s rugby!!
Medway Vets 22 Charlton Park Vets 18
Medway Vets self belief shines though
Medway vets progressed through to the semi-final stage of the Evergreen Plate Competition following an exciting encounter at Priestfields last Sunday.
Playing up the slope and into the wind the Medway old boys took an early lead with a quick penalty taken by Andy Connell who went over for a try, converted by Chris Thomas. Charlton Park countered with real determination and put the underdogs under pressure for a sustained period. Great defensive work from centres Andy Green and Brian Packer kept the visitors from crossing the line on a number of occasions. Dominic Collins ( man of the match ) and Nigel Gutteridge literally put their bodies on the line to stop the opponents from putting points on the board. From a well worked move starting with full back Graham McManus deep in Medway`s half, skipper Gary Davies linked well with James McDonald and wingers George Cooke and Mark McKenna to earn a penalty as the visitors scrambled in defence and infringed at the breakdown. Chris Thomas converted what proved to be a crucial kick of the game.
Eventually, Charlton crossed the line with 2 tries in quick succession converting both of them to turn around with a lead at half time.
Medway pressed hard at the start of the second half but a lucky bounce from a hack through put Charlton over for another try in the corner. With less than 20 minutes to go Medway trailed by 9 points but always knew they were in with a chance. The first opportunity came when a penalty close to the visitors line, allowed Stewart Cullen to tap and go to cross for a try- Thomas converting.
Medway,still full of self belief won quick ball from a scrum and a blind side break by Gavin Green from within the home half eventually put Cullen through for the winning try. Charlton did not give up and threatened the Medway line with just a few minutes to go. Strong defence again by Medway old boys brought a well earned win to see them progress to the last 4 in the competition.
