Medway 37 Battersea Ironsides 20: Regional 2 South East match report

Medway scored four tries in a memorable 37-20 win over Regional 2 South East highfliers Battersea Ironsides.

An early injury to skipper Anthony Clement led to a fifth-minute introduction for John Sipawa, and he opened the scoring against the second-placed side despite the best efforts of three defenders. Fly-half Owen Church-Mills kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.

A second try arrived five minutes later, and it was a classy move from the hosts. No.8 Todd Johnson’s powerful carry gained territory, lock Jordan Stubbington sold Ironsides a dummy and flanker Jonah Hyde passed to Max Bullock who raced through to score. Church-Mills made it 14-0 from the tee.

A Church-Mills penalty added three more points to the tally and Medway led 17-0 after 20 minutes. The next 20 was a different affair, though, as the hosts conceded a string of penalties. Battersea employed a good kicking game and their first try was a polished catch-and-drive effort. A favourable bounce from a kick and chase led to their second score and the teams changed ends level.

The visitors kicked a penalty for the first points of the second half, Battersea now leading 20-17, but Medway hit back when, after many phases, Mac Perry went outside the final defensive man for a fine team try in the corner. Church-Mills did the rest for a four-point lead and was soon on target again with another penalty.

The next 10 minutes was all Battersea and Medway’s defensive task was made even harder after a yellow card for Johnson. However they dug deep and the opposition became frustrated. Two penalties gained Medway territory and an opportunity for Church-Mills to slot from long-range, which left the away side trailing by 10 points with nine minutes remaining.