A day in the sunshine in many ways for the U14 Boys! With the tunes pumping in the 1st XV changing room, the boys got ready for the first game of the season. Medway. Medway always bring size and brawn and today was no different. Onto the 1st XV pitch TJs strode though, hoping to do the hallowed turf proud, and that the lads did. But we get ahead of ourselves.

Last season, we showed glimpses of what we could really do. This match we looked like the real deal. We got up in defence, and we played our patterns in attack. So in the early exchanges we moved the ball the left (TJs playing right to left from the dugouts), and then back to the right via some heavy forward carries from the likes of Relle and Bates before releasing the outside backs. With the extra 10m of width on the pitch, our back showed lethal pace as Esprit-Tabiowo continued last season's form with to give TJs a 5-0 lead. Streeten-Smith stepped up for his first conversion of our entire team's rugby career, and was unfortunate not to score the extras. The next try was almost a carbon copy of the first. From the kick-off TJs made ground on the left hand side, before switching play to the right and again, the fleet-footed Esprit-Tabiowo was there once more to dot down in the corner. The extras went begging once more - tough kicking from way out on the right.

Something of a comedy of errors handed Medway their response. They kicked off from the previous TJs try, the next pass wasn't quite right, and then 2 penalties one after the other made it almost inevitable that Medway, with their route 1 orientated bulky pack, would score. And score they did. If this made TJs nervous, they didn't show it. They worked their way back down the pitch, and were rewarded with a penalty, which Streeten-Smith tucked nicely into the corner. However, the comedy rugby gods struck once more, and the line-out throw sailed through the line-out with seemingly all the forwards spectators and was scooped up by Medway who exited their 22. However, TJs were still in the ascendancy and having regained possession, started to take chunks of yardage from Medway's outside backs with slick handling and direct running releasing Tjs wide flank forward Hendricks who ran round under the sticks to give Streeten-Smith the easiest of conversions.

Medway's discipline had questioned a few times by the referee , and after a particularly spicy exchange, they were penalised into range of Streeten-Smith's boot and from the tee he slotted a three. Baker was unlucky not to finish a breakaway try from a turnover following a rare Medway excursion into TJs half, but baulked as he went to gather his own kick forward, he knocked on unluckily and Medway escaped. However, Medway's discipline let them down once more, and Streeten-Smith slotted another three not long later to bring the first half to a close. 23-5 at half time and the hairdryer was in the holster and the coaches were purring.

From the kickoff though, TJs seemingly thought they were still sucking on the oranges, as Medway's lumpy forwards strode through the first line of defence, and the second and scored close to the uprights. Hairdryer out under the sticks and the boys, chastened, got to work. Baker released Lucas following slick hands between them both, and close to the line Lucas made it count. Osher was unlucky to have one chalked off - the post between the referee and the grounding and all he saw the ball going forward after the touchdown. However, Osher's pace and power rewarded him with a score that Streeten-Smith added the extras to. That was the scoring done bar a penalty converted again by Streeten-Smith, who stepped up after a yellow-card late tackle on himself to dole out the points punishment. Ebrahim's late break down the right hand touchline fully deserved more than it got, but an unlucky knock on meant the momentum was snuffed out of that break. 38-12 then at the death.

In the end, a comfortable win for the boys first game up. There were some notable performances - both 9s in the shape of Cobb and J.Beamish kept us moving at a pace Medway couldn't live with, Relle was reliable in the tackle and gave us dent in the carry. In the backs Hartley was unselfish and guarded his channel tenaciously in defence, Vincent carried from the back and teamed up in a notably ferocious 2-on-1 tackle captured on film. McIvor tore into rucks and smashed into tackles, Snow was ever-present as ever. S.Beamish and Wallis kept us moving forward at the scrum. At the end though, in the clubhouse, the forward of the match went to Hendricks, who's tackling was outstanding this match and the back of the match went to Baker, who led the defence superbly from 13 and was unlucky not to grab a score of his own.

Final players mention goes to Arthur Lucas, who had an unlucky collision which ended in a head knock. Off to hospital to get a check-up then for him. The whole team's best wishes for a speedy recovery young man - played well today.

As usual, thanks to the parents for bringing the players, thanks to the coaches for coaching and logistics and thanks to the referee for ensuring we have a game at all and of course, thanks to our opposition for coming to TJs and playing us. A special thanks to those players not selected for this game who came and shouted for the team who were! Fantastic effort from Seth and Hayden there!