Medway entertained Colchester at Priestfields on Saturday in the first ever fixture between these two sides. In very breezy conditions it was Medway who played into the elements first.The game kicked off and Colchester were soon on the front foot controlling field position and pressing the Medway line. Medway defended well thwarting their opposition attempts to build a score. The first score did not occur until 20th minute. Medway were caught offside at the ruck and Colchester led 0-3. Colchester were soon pinning Medway back again but the defence was sound. In fact Medway had two excellent chances to score against the run of play but poor ball retention let them down and the chances went begging. With the Colchester scrum dominating they were soon on the front foot again. In the 37th minute Colchester won a penalty and went quick. Following a number of phases they moved the ball wide to score in the corner. An excellent conversion left the half time score at 0-10.

Medway kicked off the second half with the breeze at their back and looking to turn the deficit round. On 44 minutes Medway attempted a quick throw in but turned the ball over. Colchester won the ball from the resultant scrum and good ball retention saw them eventually score an unconverted try in the corner. 0-15. Medway needed to get back into the game and pressed Colchester hard. Despite struggling up front Jordan Stubbington did a sterling job to get Medway on the front foot. Backed up by Captain for the day Max Easton and Mo Pangarker Medway went through the phases. Max Bullock doing a great job as the stand in fly half and distributing well eventually saw space created for Alfie Orris. He rounded the cover defence to score a well taken try. Jack Cohen converted to make the score 7-15. Medway’s come back was soon stopped in its tracks. Just 3 minutes later Colchester won penalty and kicked into the corner. A catch and drive attempt on the Medway 5m was thwarted but two pick and go attempts later Colchester scored an unconverted try in the corner. 7-20. On 62 minutes Medway won and Jack Cohen kicked a penalty to narrow the score to 10-20. Cohen was again on target to get Medway within 7 points with another penalty following good phase play from the forwards and Colchester transgressing. 13-20. Any hopes of a Medway comeback however were dashed on 75 minutes when lock Henry Kenny was yellow carded for an offence in front of his own posts. The penalty was kicked to put Colchester out of sight at 13-23. The very last kick of the match saw Jack Cohen convert is fourth penalty to secure the home side a valuable losing bonus point. 16-23.

Coach Taff Gwilliam said “Colchester are a well balanced team with a dominant scrum and powerful runners off it. We defended really well for long periods but failed to look after the ball when we had our own opportunities”. he added “we need to learn the lessons soon…..we have the ability but momentary lapses are killing us”.