Beckenham 20 Medway 21: Regional 2 South East match report

Medway made it five successive wins in Regional 2 South East with a last-gasp 21-20 success at Beckenham.

As per tradition, the Jim Kennedy Trophy - in memory of the former Medway and Beckenham player who died in 2019 - was also contested and Medway struck the first blow with Owen Church-Mills’ 10th-minute penalty.

The hosts hit back with the visitors a player short after Ben Dance saw yellow, their try and conversion giving them a four-point lead, and their kick-and-chase tactics brought more points with a second touchdown.

Things got worse for Medway when, despite no malice intended, Josh Knight saw red after a clash of heads. Jonah Hyde then made way for Deji Oyesola before yellow cards for both sides made it temporarily 14 versus 13. A second Church-Mills penalty reduced the arrears before the break, leaving the away side trailing by six points.

The action was end-to-end at the start of the second half, Medway first on the board when Mac Perry combined with Sean Marriott who held off three defenders for a brilliant try. Beckenham replied with five points before another yellow card reduced their numbers.

Back came Medway, Dance finding Antony Clement who dived over the whitewash for a one-point lead.

The drama was not over, though, and Beckenham looked like they had won it with a late penalty putting them 20-18 ahead - only for another penalty in injury time, this time for Medway, and Church-Mills held his nerve for an impressive win on the road.

Medway, fourth in the table, host third-place Old Reigatian on March 16 (3pm).