This was effectively the fifth training match for the visitors during this campaign, whose temporary visit to the London SE 2 League, will surely finish at the end of the season with promotion back to London 1 where they will once again resume their quest for national League status. On a record so far, of played five, won five, with an aggregate points tally of 254 for, with 51 against, few would bet against a 22 played, 22 won record at the end of the season, such was the absurd and botched decision to discipline them several months ago, which led to the unintended consequence of penalising the other 11 clubs in the league.
Crowborough were forced to field a side with seven changes from the previous week, with the evergreen coach, Dan Moore, pencilled in on the bench, but who was soon to feature for all of 78 minutes, when Ben Whiteman went off with suspected concussion following a rash shoulder charge in the opening minute.
Much to the visitors surprise there was no score after the first quarter, with ‘Boro’s forward defence fronting up, but all that was to change when Medway’s juggernaut pack got their act together. Following several long searching kicks deep into the ‘Boro 22 for position, a poor clearance gave Medway the first of many opportunities to showcase their forward prowess, with a simple catch and formidable drive that drove the lighter home pack over their line for the first score. This was followed in quick succession, by two more forward inspired scores, taking the tally to 0-17 in 30 minutes.
With Crowborough intent on minimising the damage, rather than making any dramatic impact on the scoreline, Medway took full advantage putting together their training ground moves at will, before adding the final score of the half 0-24.
The second half saw a partial ‘Boro recovery, marshalled by the excellent Nick Hill, but once they had exhausted their comeback repertoire it was to be to no avail. However this young Crowborough side, to their credit did not let their heads drop, even when Medway stepped up the tempo once more, regaining momentum through their well-practiced dark arts designed to kill the ball or block supporting and covering players with “lazy runs”, all of which surprisingly, went unpunished. Several bonus point scores later the referee blew for full time with ‘Boro on the wrong end of a 0-62 scoreline.