It was a warm and windy Sunday morning as the Medway Colts gathered at Priestfields for the first round of the National Colts Cup. This was the first year we’d thrown our hat into the ring for this competition and we were delighted when we received the email saying we’d been allocated a place. However this delight was now transformed to anticipation as we looked ahead to our first match against Canterbury - a worthy adversary for this first-round fixture.

As the whistle went and the game commenced, both sides looked ready to give their all. Canterbury scored early and first but the Medway side held their nerve and pushed back. A few minutes later prop-forward Dee went over the line in return evening up the scores. Canterbury were once more quick to reply and after just 15minutes, it was two tries to one against the home team. Medway Colts dug deep. We were dominant in the scrum and victorious in the line-out and we defended well. Having spent much of the first 20minutes in the wrong half of the pitch, the balance shifted and by the end of the first half, Medway looked very much the dominant side, despite the score line.

Some wise words at half-time set out our plan of attack in the second half - use the wind, use the lay of the pitch and play our game rather than react to theirs. With that in mind, and some sets of fresh legs taking to the field, off we went. Our Colts could sense that points were within their grasp and they played some excellent rugby. Up and up the pitch we went and the tries soon came. James at 9, Jude C on the Flank and Teddy in the front row all made it across the line and extras from Jamie and Will meant that come the final whistle, Medway was victories 24-12 with Canterbury failing to score in the second half.

As that opening match in our cup campaign, players, parents coaches and spectators were treated to an impressive display of rugby - the Colts worked hard to defeat a skilful and physical opposition. Thanks go to all those who came to watch the match and support the Colts and we look forward to the next round in early October.