Just as the meteorologists had predicted it was a beautiful sunny day for watching rugby. Despite the alternative attraction of six Nations rugby there was a good crowd, who were fully aware that the corresponding fixture in November resulted in a narrow home win to Medway 20:12. Additionally the day started with CS top of the league on 87 points whilst Medway were second, just a single point behind on 86; both teams were therefore totally focussed on a win and top spot. Such expectations never really fully materialised, due in no small part to the huge penalty count; with CS conceding 18 whilst Medway only conceded 6.
CS kicked off, with the benefit of the wind, and soon showed the pace and skill that has served them so well this season. Following an initial break by the backrow and a lofted kick into Medway’s half, which was not cleanly caught, the ball was won by CS, moved quickly left enabling fly half Tom Hodgson, playing for the first time after many months out through injury to slice through the Medway defence, and after just five minutes touch down near the posts but was unable to convert his try, 5 -0.
First blood to CS and although they now had the early lead there was a long way to go. After the restart not a lot seemed to be happening with both sides locked in an arm wrestle until 5 minutes had passed and CS conceded their first penalty. Medway opted for territory and a line out 28 metres from the CS line. As play developed CS conceded yet another penalty, this one on the ten metre line. Another four penalties were awarded to Medway in quick succession one of which was run; and one was used to take play deep into CS territory and with 25 minutes on the clock Medway broke a couple of tackles and saw that the ruck guards were slow into place to score a well worked try which they duly converted 5-7.
The end of the first half and start of the second proved to be important phases of the match. First on 35 minutes CS conceded another penalty for an unknown offence, as well as a yellow card for No 8 Matt Gibson, although it was most likely a team yellow. With an adverse penalty count and down to 14 men CS were anxious to not let the yellow card ultimately determine the result of the match. With the first half nearly complete, CS took the ball into a ruck in the middle of the field but as had been the story of the first half were penalised for holding on. When play moved on scrum half Adam Nixon was left prostate on the ground, having thought the penalty was awarded to CS, taken a quick tap and been unceremoniously hit backwards. After the referee consulted both his touch judges a Medway player received a yellow card for what was adjudged to be a late hit with no arms. CS kicked for goal but this was narrowly missed.
The second half therefore started with the score 5 – 7 and both teams a man short, although the home team would be restored to 15 before the away team reached parity. Almost immediately Medway misjudged a kick which rolled dead and from the resultant scrum the CS backs worked the ball cleverly down the blind side and past the Medway defence, before stags big boys took over and after what seemed like 25+ phases allowed Tom Hodgson to find space for his second score, this on wide on the right. Hodgson was in place to convert his score, however the backup team, were caught off guard by the quickness of the score and brought on the wrong kicking tee. Houstoun, somewhat surprised therefore took over the kicking duty and skilfully converted the score 12 – 7.
After only 7 minutes of the second half CS received a penalty after good work by the forwards including back row Robbie Boswell, a menace to Medway in defence throughout. From the resulting line out the ball, a strong carry by Matt Gibson and quick hands by the CS backs allowed Houstoun to go over out wide, his thirteenth of the season. He also converted his try 19-7. Both teams were now back to 15 a piece as the end of the third quarter approached. CS conceded another penalty which Medway opted to kick at goal rather than take an attacking line out. The kick was good and accurate 19 – 10 and everything to play for in the last quarter.
During the latter stages of the match CS developed some good positions and even won a scrum penalty of their own as the final whistle ticked ever closer. CS won a couple more penalties and were able to close out the game, and crucially for them, their well drilled defence denied Medway, whose forwards were strong throughout a losing bonus point. CS therefore remain top of the league on 91 points whilst Medway are second on 86. This Saturday CS are at home to third placed Havant with CS again needing a good result to ensure retaining their position.