Medway Vets bring home trophy from their first tournament of the season
3 September 2011 - Ashford Festival
Medway old boys made their annual trip to the Ashford Vets Tournament and Beer Festival and returned as plate winners. Base camp was set up on an adjoining field by Ernie Laing as early as 7 am! By 11 am most people had arrived and the pool stages began. Medway old uns got off to a poor start against Dover and Ashford. With several of the regular players unavailable, the team was bolstered by representatives from Maidstone, Lordswood and Ashford. Chris Thomas put in some excellent tackles and kept the scores down by regimenting a solid defensive line of backs. Nigel Gutteridge, Ernie Laing and Nick Thomas were unmovable in the front row, winning much ball against the head. Second row players Mark Stewart and Nigel Levitt showed great mobility challenging every ball at the breakdown.
The scorching temperature of 28 degrees took its toll on the pace of the games but the skill level was high, particularly from the eventual Trophy winners- Romford and Gidea Park. However, the Barbarian style and spirit paid dividends in the end as Medway progressed to the semi-final plate against Maidstone. Playing twelve aside the game was quick and open with fast flowing moves throughout. Newcomer and wingman Vance (aka Vinnie) Gee made several long runs into the opposition territory swerving and sidestepping to great effect - but at half time all was square. It was a move from the base of a scrum from halfway that brought the winning try. Graham McManus switched the line of attack and the ball went to utility powerhouse Peter Corker who eventually decided to put the ball down for a try – once he realised he was in the dead ball area!! Chris Thomas converted to put Medway into the final against Dover.
This time it was 12 aside and the intensity was high as everyone found their last wind!! Dover played a forwards game up the middle and were kept out until just ahead of half time. Brave defending by George Cooke and Nick Thomas was eventually overwhelmed as Dover managed to reach the try line. Medway old boys rallied in the second half and with 3 minutes to go went ahead. It was a try produced by the Masters League contingency of McManus, Cooke and then Thomas who sent the pass to Joe Egan who came in on a brilliant angle, side stepped 2 players to score the winning try converted through Thomas. The game was not over. Dover reclaimed possession from the kick off and pressed hard into Medway territory. It was a match saving tackle from Peter Gunning (resulting in surgery for a dislocated shoulder) that proved pivotal with just 40 seconds to go. From the resulting scrum McManus fed Carl Morgan on the blind side who went 60 metres to be put into touch just short of the try line.
Medway were cheered by all as they left the pitch at the end of an exciting final watched by several hundred supporters. Celebrations with Glenda went on to the early hours when people retired to their 5 star accommodations of tents and the backs of vans!
