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Medway 28 London Welsh 12: London 1 South match report

Medway had a weekend to remember as the first-ever visit of London Welsh saw the hosts run out 28-12 winners in London 1 South.

With the teams having identical playing records and sitting in the top three, both sets of supporters turned out in large numbers, and for Medway's Billy Humphrey the occasion was even sweeter, with the fixture his 300th league game.

Medway dive for the line against London Welsh. Picture: Paul Wardzynski
Medway dive for the line against London Welsh. Picture: Paul Wardzynski

Medway lost the sides' earlier meeting this season but their game plan this time was spot on.

Coach Taff Gwilliam said: "This was an important occasion for us.

"Playing such a prestigious club at Medway for the first time and securing a win in front of the largest crowd seen here for a few years was simply superb.

"Having been defeated by them earlier in the season, we prepared a plan and the boys executed it brilliantly."

The visitors made a flying start when quick ruck ball left the Medway defence in disarray and London Welsh's winger scampered over for an unconverted try with one minute on the clock.

But from a scrum Medway exerted pressure and the visitors' No.9 failed to clear his lines. Sam Garofalo regathered the ball, found Mo Pangarker and his strong run got him behind the Welsh defence before an offload to John Sipawa saw him dive over. Dan Harvey converted for 7-5.

With 11 minutes gone Harvey made sure from the tee again, this time with a penalty, to extend the lead to 10-5, but Welsh struck right back when some uncharacteristic poor tackling in midfield created a two versus one on the Medway full-back and a try was scored.

Medway had too much for London Welsh. Picture: Paul Wardzynski
Medway had too much for London Welsh. Picture: Paul Wardzynski

The extras gave London a two-point advantage but another Harvey penalty ensured a one-point lead for the hosts at the break.

After the interval it was all Medway. Player-of-the-match Billy Sandison, Maik Timmerman and Richard Petch were dominating up front in the scrummage, winning penalties, and strong running into the breeze from Henry Kenny, Tom Beaumont, Humphrey, Antony Clement and Max Bullock ensured Medway retained possession for large periods.

On 50 minutes this possession bore fruit. Good lineout work and midfield carrying into the breeze narrowed the London Welsh defence. Garofalo and Harvey put the ball out wide and Sipawa held off an attempted tackle to score in the corner.

Ten minutes later Medway increased their lead through another Harvey penalty before replacement Michael Fankah made an immediate impact.

A scrum five metres out saw the Medway pack drive for the line and excellent control at the base enabled Fankah to touch down. Harvey converted to round off the scoring.

This weekend sees Medway travel to Roehampton to take on London Cornish.

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