Revenge is a dish best served cold, or so they say. And it was on a cold bright morning that we welcomed Medway RFC U12 to Vizards for a League fixture that was the return of a non-league match up earlier in the year. Medway got the better of TJs that day in one of the games with a well organised display based on solid defence, committed rucking and aggressive runners. A team to be wary of then.

Rich Bains blew to kick the game off and straight away our dangerous runners got to work with Kirsop attacking the right hand side of the pitch and making decent ground with Hartley in support. Unfortunately this one came to nought, but it certainly set the tone with TJs opting to use width and pace on the fast 3G surface. In the next passage of play, another tone was set, this time in defence with Relle upending the largest opposition runner, sending him crashing to the ground with the ball spilled. This seemed to energise TJs, who moved into their multi-phase game, shifting the attack first to the right then back to the left which ended with Osher dancing down the touchline on that side of the pitch to score his first of the day.

TJs then applied a period of consistent pressure, forcing Medway into their 22, but seemingly not able to deliver that final blow to score a try. Medway seemed to want to run it out, and threatened to make a break for it, but pace in TJs defence pegged them back and back into touch. The game occupied the middle of the field for a while, some ambitious kicking TJs pushing Medway back, only for them to attack once more with big runners. However, as before, these were met with similar fire in defence and the Beamish brothers combined with shuddering tackles and speed of jackal to ensure that TJs remained on the front foot. Lane shipping the ball away each time Wallis and Cooper ate up the rucks as if it was buy-one-get-one free on Big Macs at Tonbridge McDonalds (not a sponsor) . TJs started to work through their repertoire of set moves and one of these resulted in Vincent, skipper for the day, carving through the centre to make a determined drive for the line for a try to bring the score to 10-0.

The game entered a period characterised by inaccuracy in attack from TJs, but inability to capitalise from Medway. When Medway had the ball, they were put under immediate pressure from a TJ rush defence, but when TJs had the ball, they made poor decisions about which way to attack, or dropped the ball or sent wayward passes. In a comedy moment that seemed to sum this period up, TJs scrum half almost ran onto the next pitch where Beckenham were playing, so far into touch was he!

This didn't last all that long, however, and the TJs machine started to click into gear, necessitating strong defence from Medway. TJs again moved the point of attack from right to left and back again, Hartley jinking on the right supported by Kirsop, forwards carrying in the middle and then Streeten-Smith moving the ball via Lucas out to the other wing where Osher made ground, shipped it to Vincent who crashed over dragging a dogged defence with him. "There's a hand underneath!" cried the Medway supporters on the far side, but referee Bains didn't need the TMO and he raised his hand to signal the score. 15-0 and the half over.

The second half saw the introduction of Snow at 9, Hendricks on the wing and Mitchell into the pack for Cooper. The game resumed its slightly stuttering rhythm, with TJs playing into the sunshine with ambition, Kirsop and Lucas offering penetration in the centres, Streeten-Smith probing with kicks but all this without quite the accuracy required to force more points; although credit must go to Medway's defence as they consistently stopped our forward runners and forced large numbers into the ruck to make sure TJs won their own ball. However, TJs forced a fumble and again this was gobbled up and flung wide, Lucas on an arcing run that sent Osher free, but still with work to do. However, this was almost a carbon copy of his previous, with pace and power to the fore and over he went for his brace. 20-0. Hendricks had started to show his wares on the other wing, breaking tackles and making yards, before Snow running ruck to ruck got the ball away. Relle, having been on ruck duty most of the game was relieved by Mitchell and he started to appear in midfield using deft hands to set the backline free. One on of these attacks TJs got the ball wide with Vincent again on the end to just squeak in at the corner for his hat-trick. Obviously at U12, he won't be required to buy the customary jug of beer - but his dad will - perhaps on tour! 25-0.

Medway weren't giving up though, their forwards particularly making good use of free-kicks to run at our defence skittling the odd would-be tackler and getting on the rumble. However, they were the ones who lacked the accuracy this time and again, and it was the 3G at their end getting trampled the most. By this point Bates had been introduced and was contributing in the forwards, his ankle that was broken just before Christmas bearing up well, a good run from him up the right hand side ended with the ball being recycled left, over to the far side and then back again where forwards and backs interchanged beautifully to give Hendricks a run at the line which he took to seal the final try of the game. 30-0. With the game in the bag (the competition rules state that the game ends when there is a 6 try difference), but only a few minutes left to play, Medway elected to see the game out and worked the ball well down into TJs half. TJs turned the ball over at the ruck, only for Medway to regain possession and TJs made an error that cost them another free kick. Medway worked the ball to a fleet-footed winger, who was on the left hand side of the pitch, but danced across to the right, apparently presenting no threat, but as he set off for the right hand corner, it was apparent that TJs were underdone on that side and a fatigued and lethargic defence wasn't enough to stop the consolation score for Medway with the game finishing 30-5.

Player of the match was hotly contested, J.Beamish must be in with a shout for industry at the ruck, and fearless defence. S.Beamish too, for aggressive running and tackles too. Osher looked dangerous every time he had the ball, Streeten-Smith was error-free and ushered the backs around beautifully. Relle really set the tone with some bruising hits, fierce rucking and carries along with soft hands, but it's hard to look past the hat trick kid - J.Vincent.

Thanks to Medway for an entertaining game. Again, with the venue being Vizards, it was a real shame we couldn't return the welcome they showed us earlier in the year, but we wish them well in the rest of the competition .

Thanks also to Rich Bains for refereeing, and to Vikki for the photos - see below!

Tonbridge Juddians RFC

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