Medway were edged out 24–14 by North Walsham at Priestfields in a fiercely contested and entertaining encounter.

Medway started brightly, matching Walsh’s early intent with energy and physicality. After an initial exchange of breaks and turnovers, Medway struck first through Harrison Fermor, who slotted a penalty to make it 3–0. Walsh attempted to build pressure but Medway’s defence forced errors, keeping the contest evenly balanced. Sustained Medway pressure earned another penalty on the five-metre line, and Fermor again delivered to extend the lead to 6–0. Despite the positive start, Walsh struck back against the run of play with an interception try to edge ahead 6–7. Medway responded immediately, earning a penalty in the Walsh 22 which Fermor converted to restore a 9–7 lead. The remainder of the half was fast, physical and intense, with battles across the pitch and little to separate the sides. Tempers briefly flared, resulting in a red card for each team, but the match remained competitive rather than dirty. At half-time, Medway led 9–7 after what was widely described as a cracking first forty minutes.

Walsham came out strongly after the break. A powerful maul forced a penalty and field position, and moments later another maul carried them under the posts for a converted try to take the lead at 9–14. Continued pressure saw Walsh add a further three points from close range to stretch the advantage to 9–17. Medway’s task became tougher when Henry Kenny was shown a yellow card, forcing a reshuffle that saw John Sipawa move into the second row. Misfortune then struck as a clearance from Harrison Fermor ricocheted off Walsh’s scrum-half, who recovered quickly enough to run in under the posts, pushing the score to 9–24. Despite the setback, Medway refused to fold. Big carries from Max Bullock and John Sipawa lifted the side, and with Walsh temporarily down a man, sustained pressure on the line finally told. Bullock powered over for a try, though the conversion was missed, leaving the score at 14–24.

Medway pushed late on for a losing bonus point and earned a penalty just inside halfway, but the kick drifted wide. Walsh saw out the remaining minutes to secure their first away win of the season.

Well done to Paul Redgrave - Medway II Man of the Match with a strong 31-10 win over Beckenham II
C'mon Medway