Ashford 7 Medway 0
Despite the low score, this proved to be a keenly contested match, but somewhat spoiled by a poor exhibition of refereeing.
Ashford had the bigger set of forwards, but the Medway pack matched them through hard work and enthusiasm. Medway had the better of the back play but were unable to break through a strong defensive display from Ashford. This was one of the stronger performances from Medway, considering they played about two-thirds of the game with 14 players. Due to injury, illness and non availability, Medway were only able to take a squad of 15 players so had no subs for the game. Following a dubious dump tackle, Medway’s full back was forced to leave the field with blurred vision.
The only score of the game came in the second half following a clear (and subsequently acknowledged) refereeing error which gave a scrum inside the Medway 22 to Ashford instead of Medway. Ashford’s forwards used the momentum from this to get a driving maul over the line (Try converted).
Medway continued to press right through to the final whistle, but were unable to break through Ashford’s defence. This was an excellent performance by a Medway side missing some of their stronger players; Sam Garofalo in his first game back after a number of week’s out through injury and playing out of position was superb.
Medway 10 Sidcup 12
Medway hosted the return fixture with Sidcup under floodlights at Priestfields and produced a much more up beat performance than at their first meeting, despite the first few minutes suggesting a repeat performance.
The whole of the Medway team appeared to be asleep when Sidcup kicked off, resulting in a try scored straight from the initial attack. This served to motivate Medway who got into gear and took the game back to Sidcup. Medway began to dominate the play and pressurise Sidcup’s line, but failed to capitalise on their opportunities through unforced errors.
Totally against play, Sidcup kicked through a loose ball to take the play back to Medway’s 22, resulting in their centre taking a short ball to break through Medway’s defence for a converted score. This served to reinforce Medway’s determination and they continued to attack Sidcup, the forwards producing excellent ruck play turning over Sidcup ball and releasing the backs time and again. Sidcup were strong in defence, but Luke Burns produced one of his surging runs to force his way over for a try and take the teams into half time at 5-12.
Medway increased their pressure in the second half producing an impressive team performance. Sidcup were clearly rattled at not having the domination they enjoyed during the previous game; they reverted to disruption tactics, but gave away a number of penalties. Medway continued to pressurise and eventually Burns found a gap in their line to drive over for his second try. Unfortunately Medway’s goal kicking was not on song missing both conversions and a close-in penalty. Although they continued to press for the remainder of the game, Sidcup’s defence held out for a fortunate win.
Scorers: Tries – Luke Burns (2)
Medway 28 Maidstone 12
Medway produced a second win in two weeks against a good Maidstone side. Medway made a sound start following a knock on by Maidstone from the kick off; from the ensuing scrum Sean Woollacot picked up at No 8 and drove over for a try, which was converted. Despite such a sound start, Medway quickly realised that this was not going to be a walk over. Maidstone had a strong pack and gained the upper hand in the loose play, but their backs let them down with poor handling. Medway were playing into a strong wind limiting their opportunities to kick for position and tried to run the ball at all opportunities. Maidstone’s defence and tackling was strong and apart from a good solo run from Robin Page from his own 22 to the opposition 22, the rest of the first half was stalemate.
The second half started with a repetition of the first with Medway scoring within minutes. Using the wind a kick into Maidstone territory failed to make touch, but Maidstone’s defence failed to secure possession. Robin Page used his speed again to gather the ball, draw the last defender and pop off a simple pass to Ollie George to score under the posts.
Maidstone rallied again and continued to have the upper hand in the loose play. They eventually scored from a ruck 5 metres out. Neither side were able to get the upper hand; Maidstone had the better of the forward play, but Medway’s back line threatened a breakthrough. Medway took the next score from a hack through, the foot race that followed won by Rob Ellis. Maidstone came back again, working their way back up field benefitting from some loose tackling. Their forward strength again gave them the opportunity to drive over. Medway forwards were not to be outdone and their final score came from a strong drive releasing Sam Brice to force his way over the line despite two defenders trying to take him down. Jon Rumsey completed a full set of conversions to finish off the scoring.
Scorers:
Tries: Sean Woollacot (1), Rob Ellis (1), Ollie George (1), Sam Brice (1)
Conversions: Jon Rumsey (4)
Cranbrook 13 Medway 15
2 November 2008
This was a true ‘game of two halves’ with Cranbrook dominating the first half and Medway the second.
Cranbrook started aggressively, immediately pushing Medway back into their 22. They continued to pressure and created an overlap situation resulting in a score wide on the left. This served to motivate Medway who immediately upped their game; however, despite producing some good passages of play, they could not produce any continuity. Cranbrook took advantage of a penalty on Medway’s 22 to take three points and go into half time 8-0 up.
The second half saw a resurgent Medway who suddenly seemed to click as a team. They began to dominate the loose and created good attacking opportunities for the backs to have a run, but Cranbrook defended well. Eventually Medway’s pressure gave Luke Burns a half gap in the centre which he took for their opening score. Medway continued to pressurise the opposition forcing handling errors and benefiting from regular turnover ball. Both of Medway’s further scores came from forward drives and both were completed by a strong pick and drive by Michael Smith.
Cranbrook was not finished and with five minutes to go they mounted an attack down the right and despite a spirited defence, they drove over for a further try. Fortunately for Medway, as with all the previous scores, the conversion was missed. Medway held out for a well deserved win.
Medway Scorers:
Tries: Luke Burns (1), Michael Smith (2).
Sidcup 38 Medway 0
Medway’s disappointing start to the season continued with a defeat to a very strong and effective Sidcup side. Medway are still suffering from inconsistency in their squad due to injury and non availability; the team today included three U17s who played very well considering they were up against what was essentially a Sidcup U19 squad.
Medway had some very good passages of play, but lost possession through poor handling and unforced mistakes. Sidcup were quicker on the loose ball and stronger in the ruck, frequently driving Medway back off their own ball; they used their strong running backs to make the breaks from their dominant possession and despite some good defence from Medway, Sidcup were able to work overlaps and find gaps to score on a regular basis. This was by no means a disaster from Medway’s point of view despite the scoreline, and there were some very good performances from a number of the team, unfortunately they are struggling to convert these into a strong team performance.
Folkestone Colts 12 Medway Colts 5
12 October 2008
Medway were unable to repeat the standard they achieved last week, but only succumbed in the last five minutes of a scrappy but close fought game.
Medway again started very strongly and dominated the first quarter, but as in previous games failed to take advantage and allowed Folkestone the opportunity to regroup. Both sides put some good movements together and the defences were strong, but there were also a lot of unforced errors and missed opportunities.
Injuries to key Medway players had a significant impact later in the game. Jack Townsend suffered a broken collar bone about ten minutes from time, which meant that Medway had to put a forward into the backline. Folkestone took advantage and created two overlaps in the final minutes and 
scored from both moves. However, Medway did not roll over and took the play back into Folkestone’s half from the restart. They moved the ball cleanly through the phases creating their own overlap, with new player Jordan Brads scoring in the corner; unfortunately this was the final play of the game.
Scorers:
Tries – Jordan Brads (1)
London Scottish 5 Medway Colts 36
5 October 2008
Medway Colts recorded their first win in style at London Scottish.
The challenge of playing a big-name team plus the return of Shaun Woolacott at No 8 brought out the best in the Medway team and they put up the team performance that has been missing in earlier defeats this season.
Medway dominated most aspects of the game and denied Scottish opportunities to play for much of the game, but the performance was not without errors. Woolacott opened the scoring with a pick up and drive from the back of a scrum ten metres out. Tries came at regular intervals from both forward and back moves, with ‘Woody’ Wilkinson scoring his first try for the club and new boy Lee Mills getting his first score in his first game. Jon Rumsey converted 3 out of 5.
Scottish rallied in the last quarter following a lengthy delay as a result of an injury to their No 8. Due to their shortage of substitutes, Medway’s Sam Brice volunteered to complete the game with Scottish to even up the sides. His influence strengthened the Scottish pack and helped them to their single score. Medway were not phased by this upsurge and came back for another score just before the final whistle.
Medway scorers:
Tries: Shaun Woolacott, Joe Garofalo, Jason Russell, Michael Smith, James Wilkinson, Lee Mills
Conversions: Jon Rumsey – 3.
Medway Colts 5 Ashford 29
Medway were beaten by a bigger, stronger Ashford side, but the score flatters the visitors somewhat.
Although there were some excellent individual performances from a number of Medway players, apart from a few flashes, there was no real team cohesion. This was Medway’s downfall.
They were hampered by the loss of three key players due to injury and unfortunate to concede at least two scores despite clear infringements (fully acknowledged by Ashford’s coach), but ultimately Ashford’s organisation and power lead them to a deserved win.
Medway Scorer: Try - Matt Wadhams
Medway Colts 10 Folkestone Colts 19
Medway opened the new season with a tough fixture against old Kent rivals, Folkestone. Despite missing five regular players forcing others to play out of position, Medway started the game strongly putting Folkestone’s forwards under severe pressure, creating a number of opportunities for the backs to run the ball. Folkestone had a strong defensive line and produced some excellent tackles to thwart the challenge. Midway through the first half Folkestone settled into the game and put in a number of counter attacks. Although Medway’s defence stood up to the challenge initially, poor tackling let Folkestone in for two scores. 12-0 at half time.
The second half started with Folkestone on the attack and quickly scored again, poor tackling from Medway making it relatively easy. However, from this point Medway rallied and forced their way back into contention. The increased pressure resulted in a fractious second half, with Medway picking up one yellow card and Folkestone picking up two. Medway’s pressure resulted in two scores from Dan Smart and Matt Wadhams. Despite losing 10-19 this was a strong initial performance providing a sound basis for development