Medway 20 Hertford 15: Regional 1 South East match report

Jack Cohen had a debut to remember as Medway passed their first test of the new Regional 1 South East season with a dramatic 20-15 win over Hertford.

Having never played at this level before, Taff Gwilliam's side hit the ground running thanks to a late try from Cohen - his second of the game.

Alfie Orris also went over, while Cohen added to his points tally with a penalty and conversion.

Gwilliam said: “This victory was built on the back of a solid set piece and a never-say-day attitude.

"Hertford are a very good side so we are delighted with the victory but there are still lessons to be learned from this and we must heed those lessons quickly.”

The away side almost scored in the fourth minute but Cohen and Cullen Daly combined to prevent the try. However in doing so Daly was, rightly, adjudged to have killed the ruck and received an instant yellow card.

The visitors did lead when they regained possession from a lineout and broke through the middle of the home defence. Good handling saw them go over in the corner for an unconverted try.

For the next 30 minutes Hertford, with the wind at their backs, dominated field position, but Medway’s defence held firm. Good scrummaging from the front row of Dan Huntley, in his first league start at tighthead, Bill Sandison, leading the side for the first time in the absence of captain Tom Beaumont, and Jack Nickalls, at loose head, consistently put their opposite numbers under pressure disrupting the first-phase ball.

However on 34 minutes Medway were taught a finishing lesson.

Having got into the Hertford half through good work from the returning Daly, Medway conceded a penalty just outside Hertford’s 22. The home side turned their backs, the visitors ran the ball and got behind