This was only Crowborough’s second fixture since 16th December, so perhaps not the best preparation for this top of the table v’s bottom, clash.
This time last year Medway were flying high, and in with a serious chance of promotion to League National 3 South, when they were hit with a swingeing relegation penalty, for rule infringement, that was also to have unintended consequences for the 2016/17 season and the other eleven sides in Div 2 SE. Medway are without doubt a solid and competent side, as their results this season have demonstrated, and one more win next week could mathematically see them crowned champions with three more months of the season still to run!!!

This men against boys encounter should therefore have been a foregone conclusion as the final score indicated, but behind the bald figures there were several pointers of hope for the visiting side.
Only three other sides have scored more than 12 points against Medway this season, and this is a testament to the excellent performance from a rejuvenated Crowborough pack that for much of this match contested and dominated possession for long periods, denying ball to Medway’s dangerous backs.
But it would be a big ask for the excellent ‘Boro eight, even with the rejuvenated Mark Rosier, to keep the ball tight for 80 minutes despite several 10 minute periods of rolling mauls and pick and drive rucks. However the inevitable spill was bound to happen, and when it did, the patient Medway back division were ready and waiting to exploit a rearranged ‘Boro back line, that was slow to respond to the lost possession, which gave Medway all the time they needed to build up momentum, scything through a poorly aligned defence, and ineffective tackles, conceding 10 tries of which 8 were converted.
With half time approaching and Medway already 27 points to the good, Crowborough put in their best performance of the game so far, first with a well-constructed backs move involving Liam Derrick and Tom McMahon that saw McMahon cruise through a huge gap in the centre and making 50 metres before being tackled. The excellent ‘Boro back row were quickly up in support and set up the ruck on the Medway 10 metre line. As the movement developed the resulting driving maul was hauled down by Medway. The penalty was put into touch 5 metres out. From the lineout, won by Harry Slatter, the drive was again brought down without a yellow being shown, but the quick thinking Charlie Bulow took a quick tap penalty and drove over for what everyone assumed to be a well deserved try, except for the official who inexplicably wanted the penalty taken again. With the Medway defence now fully prepared, another tap was taken and quickly recycled to the back of the maul, which was driven over the line for the try, fittingly scored by Charlie Bulow. The kick was pulled wide by Gary Stevens as the whistle for half time went. 27-5
The second half followed a similar pattern as the first with the ‘Boro pack inching up the field and controlling the ball whilst running down the clock, whilst Medway lived off scraps but seemingly able to score at will, even with limited possession.
With Tom Kent having to leave the field after an excellent performance Andy Orchard came off the bench into the back row. Orchard, on the fringe of the squad for several seasons, showed much promise by scoring in his first outing of the season, but had still to build on that optimistic start.
This was to be a 35 minute performance of a man possessed. From his introduction with knees pumping and elbows flailing he drove hard and low into the first line of defence, shaking off tackles, reminiscent of a young Jean-Pierre Rives, putting the ‘Boro pack further into the accendancy, and when the ball was turned over he again put his body on the line to stem the momentum. As the pack once more drove deep into the Medway 22, Orchard peeled from the side of the maul, broke the tackle and dived over for another well worked forwards try equally well converted by Connor Hand.
With one more Medway score the game was brought to an end with the final score at a resounding 66-12 victory to the home side. Next week ‘Boro host Hove for their twice postponed league match at Steel Cross.