Edenbridge vs Medway, Kent Merit League ‘B’
Edenbridge travelled to Rochester looking for a win after to back losses. Medway, proud of their league record were to be no pushover, especially at home.
The game began with Edenbridge giving a penalty away as Medway collected the kick off, with Edenbridge testing the referee's interpretation of killing the ball. From the clearance Edenbridge were then forced to spend the next 20 minutes barely troubling the Medway 22. It wasn't that Medway were dominant in attack, just that the 'Bridge's clearance kicks were not going to plan. Some flashes from the backs saw Rob Clarke and Sam Perry causing some damage from the wings but the last pass back to the inside man just falling short.
Then, in one the rare visits deeper into the Medway half due to fine break by Wallis, the Edenbridge forwards won a penalty about 25 meters out to the right of the posts. 'Bridge did not hesitate in nominating the posts. Bantin duly broke the deadlock; 0-3 Edenbridge.
The restart led to a repeat performance of the first 20 minutes. Similarly 'Bridge ground their way towards the half way line where again they won a penalty. This being quite a short pitch, Bantin stepped up to the posts again. Placing the ball just a meter into the Medway half he began his kicking preparations only to miss hit the ball. Medway grounded it to set up the drop-out. The restart collected by Mitchell was recycled out to the backs only for Stevens to cut back across the line a clean through the Medway defence. 0-8 after the missed conversion.
The last 10 minutes became scrappier with Medway slotting a penalty. Halftime score 3-8.
The second half began with Medway having clearly been given a good talking to. They roared out of the blocks claiming their own kick off and then rampaging through what looked like a half asleep 'Bridge pack. Eventually Edenbridge won a scrum 10 meters from their line only to be pushed off their own ball by what had been a rather week Medway scrum. Medway’s pressure began to tell and they went over for a try which was duly converted. The home team now led 10-8.
Edenbridge lifted themselves to try to snatch the lead straight back; Bantin narrowly missing a mammoth drop goal effort. The game now became about holding a pumped up Medway team whilst trying to gain back the lead. This they did with a touchline penalty effort from Bantin, making amends for the conversion missed in front of the posts. The game however was far from safe.
It took another excellent penalty from even wider out with 8 minutes to go to put enough breathing space between the teams for Edenbridge only having to worry about stopping a try. Medway very nearly did push their way over the line in the last 90 seconds only to be held up by some fantastic and determined defence.
Final score 10-14. An excellent win for The 'Bridge, hard fought but deserved none the less. We'll need to take that level of commitment to TJ's next Saturday to win against our closest of rivals.
Edenbridge:
Scorers:
Tries: Stevens
Cons:
Pens: Bantin (3)
Team:
15. Segewick, S; 14. Clarke, R; 13. Gray, N; 12. Smith, T; 11. Perry, S; 10. Wallis, D; 9. Bantin, G;
1. Lacey, P; 2. Smith, B; 3. Stevens, B; 4. Eynon, M; 5. Mussi, J; 6. Mitchell, D (capt.)(rep. Cole, S 40) 7. Batchelor, S; 8. Burton, C