Medway RFC 30-31 Westcombe Park RFC

With the wind continuing to blow steadily from the left of the clubhouse and the homeside 23-10 up, the big question on the lips of both sets of supporters as the half time whistle sounded was whether or not the gale gave a 13 point advantage. That question continued to be posed throughout the second period and was not finally answered until 5 minutes from time when a Bryan Young score and a Harvey Young conversion settled the match. For the arithmeticians out there that result meant a 14 point advantage according to Combe's second half exertions.

The visitors started well with a Harry Sansbury run making good ground early on until halted by the Medway defence. A minute later Combe went further when good ruck ball released the backs, the ball slickly moved from Harvey Young to Joel Medcraft and then on to Dan Hamilton whose mazy run bamboozled the defence to score. Young kicked sweetly and Combe were 7 points ahead after only 3 minutes.

Although Westcombe Park were having the better of it at close quarters regularly breaking the first tackle, Medway's kicking game looked well tuned to the conditions. This was underlined when a Hamilton run ended with a drop out to Medway and Combe were immediately back in their own 22. The home team kept the pressure up and, on 12 minutes, won a lineout deep in Combe territory. The ball was spun left and Medway were in for their first score. The conversion was added with a confident kick and the match was tied at 7 apiece. Medway edged further ahead 3 minutes later when Combe were caught offside and the penalty was kicked.

Medway's game management through the boot continued to impress but Combe were keeping in it with centre Wilkins and prop Simmons regularly trucking the ball up through midfield. Medway went 13-7 up when Combe's scrum was penalised but Combe responded with a penalty of their own when the home side were offside. Given the conditions all credit to both kickers, Medway's Harvey and Combe's Young.

The visitors would have been more than happy with a 13-10 score line but, as the half entered its final phases, Medway pulled away. First a well worked lineout provided the opportunity for burly hooker Sandison to run through untouched out wide with another fine conversion added by Harvey. Then, on the cusp of the interval, Harvey added another penalty to his tally when Combe infringed in the tackle area making it 23-10 to Medway.

It took only a couple of minutes for Combe to narrow the gap when Young kicked his second penalty after Medway were forced to kill the ball to halt a threatening attack. It became even better for the Goddington Dene side on 46 minutes with a try from Harry Sansbury. Dave Pohlen made some hard yards and when Medcraft broke the line Sansbury was on hand to complete the move with a weaving run. The lead was reduced to 2 points when Young kicked another penalty for another infringement at the breakdown and then Combe retook the lead with a fourth Young kick from all of 40 metres when Medway's indiscipline continued at the breakdown.

But Medway know their pitch and the prevailing weather conditions well. Combe were caught offside and the penalty was banged deep to the corner. The visitors could only prevent the Medway maul illegally and, as it was in the danger zone, the yellow card was almost inevitable. Against a depeleted pack Medway chose to scrum and when that splintered and collapsed a penalty try was the outcome.

Medway now had a 6 point advantage with just over 10 minutes of the contest remaining. That had reduced to 5 minutes when flanker Sean Beckett who had been prominent in defence showed his attacking skills when he made a 20 metre break down the right and passed out wide. Replacement winger Bryan Young still had a lot to do from 30 metres out but he showed a fine turn of pace to out sprint the defence as well as the awareness to run an extra few metres to make the vital conversion that bit easier for his namesake Harvey Young.

There was still time for a last assault from Medway and, when Combe secured a turnover deep in their own 22, the visitors showed good composure to run down time with a Munster like display of keeping the ball in the forwards. The final whistle came with Combe winners 31 -30 and the collective breath that had been held could be gratefully released. Phew!

Medway don't often lose at home and showed how to manage a game in windy conditions. Combe had learned their lesson well from a hefty defeat last season in similar conditions and the win keeps them in touching distance of league leaders Havant. Next Saturday Westcombe Park are at Dartfordians looking to avenge a narrow defeat in last season's equivalent game.

Match Report: John Vallely