Medway RFC produced an impressive all-round display to secure a 42-12 victory at Old Elthamians and maintain their unbeaten start to the Regional 2 South East season. The visitors travelled to Eltham knowing they faced a stern challenge against an Old Elthamians side promoted in each of the previous three seasons and beaten for the first time in almost two years only a week earlier.

Medway settled quickly and opened the scoring through Max Bullock. After John Sipawa spotted space around the breakdown, he released Bullock to race over, with the conversion making it 7-0. The visitors’ defence was outstanding throughout the first half, repeatedly forcing errors and denying Old Elthamians any momentum.
Their second try came from a sweeping attack. Noah Hyde’s reverse pass sent Sipawa through a gap before strong carries from Pete Cole and debutant Beathan helped create the opening for the centre to finish beneath the posts. The conversion stretched the lead to 14-0. Old Elthamians eventually got on the scoreboard from a driving maul after kicking a penalty to the corner, but Medway still led 14-5 at the interval.

The visitors made the perfect start to the second half. Sipawa’s pass looked to have drifted behind Bullock, but the centre produced a brilliant take before stepping the full-back and touching down under the posts for his second try of the afternoon. Although Henry Kenny was shown a yellow card and Old Elthamians narrowed the gap with another rolling-maul score, Medway always looked the more dangerous side. Their bonus-point try arrived after patient pressure inside the home side’s 22. The ball was worked wide and Mac Perry crossed untouched in the corner before the conversion pushed Medway 28-12 ahead.

Medway then pulled clear in the closing stages. A break from Sipawa created the opening for Cole to power over, before Bullock completed his hat-trick after gathering a bouncing grubber kick to score untouched. The final score of 42-12 reflected Medway’s dominance. Their defence repeatedly repelled Old Elthamians attacks, including a remarkable late stand that forced the hosts backwards from the try line before winning a penalty.

It completed a highly satisfying afternoon for the visitors, who combined physical defence with intelligent attacking rugby to leave Eltham with a maximum haul of points.