Horsham in first ever historic win against Medway

LONDON 1 SOUTH
Saturday 18th January 2020
Horsham 27-21 Medway
Report by Richard Ordidge

Horsham served up another entertaining game to satisfy the large crowd of 160, boosted by a gathering of Sussex Rugby’s Life Members and Patrons and a large travelling support from Medway, on a cold, crisp day in bright winter sunshine. For the second successive week against a side above Horsham in the table the spectators were living on their nerves in the final few minutes as the Green and Whites came back again from 0-13 down and then 12-21 down to scores two tries near the end in a powerful finish to win 27-21.

This was Horsham’s fifth successive win and the first victory over promotion challengers Medway in their history and the accomplishment was clear at the final whistle on the faces of the players, coaching team and supporters.

Horsham started slowly and were struggling to keep hold of ball with Medway looking ominous. The Green and Whites were conceding penalties at the breakdown with Medway dominant, and the visitors slotted two kicks at goal, and when they scored a converted try from first phase line out possession following missed tackles in midfield the visitors led 13-0 after 13 minutes. Horsham’s defence performed well over the first quarter of the game featuring total Medway superiority to only concede one try.

The hosts were living off scraps and with a short period of possession they kicked a penalty to the corner, and from the ensuing catch and drive and subsequent recycle Ciaran Preston drove over to score.

Horsham were more settled now and getting some better ball, then from first phase the play moved wide, the ball retained and moved back across the field and Joe Notter spotted a mismatch to glide between two props for a fine try which was converted by Harrison Sims to narrow the deficit after 29 minutes to 12-13.

Medway kicked a penalty and went into the half time break leading 12-16.

The visitors started the second half strongly and when they scored a try from a break in midfield and a miss tackle out wide to lead 12-21 the momentum appeared to have swung back in Medway’s favour but then the fightback started.

Following the award of a penalty, which was successfully kicked by Sims, Ciaran Preston showed an amazing turn of the pace for a hooker to accelerate away from the Medway defenders to make a break of 40 metres, and following the award of a penalty at the breakdown in front of the posts, Horsham chose to take a scrum knowing that they needed tries to win. At the scrum Horsham drove Medway back with advantage being played to see Vince Everitt pick up and drive over to score his sixth try in three games holding off a couple of tacklers in the process. With the try converted by Sims, Horsham led for the first time in the game 22-21.

This was followed by great phase play combining forwards and backs to see Joe Notter break and link well with his outside backs. The ball made its way to Sims who glided through the gap to finish well and secure the fourth try bonus point. With the kick unconverted Horsham led 27-21 and had to show some resolute defence to hold out repeated Medway attacks, incurring a yellow card to Will Grief, and showed outstanding effort to hold out to secure the win.

A delighted Horsham Head Coach said after the game: “A very pleasing five point win against one of the league’s top sides. Medway have been perennial challengers for this league title and are a fine side. We knew it would be a very tough day at the office but similarly, knew we had the game to beat them at our place given the game at theirs earlier in the season. Today we started slowly and our error count under pressure was too great conceding both field position and possession through the first quarter. However as we settled we started to look more dangerous and by half time were right back in the fight.

Our second half was excellent. Defence was solid. Set piece gradually more dominant and the attack shape started to expose gaps which our backs exploited. Our fourth try was a fine example of this and well finished by Harrison Sims who had a fine game following long term injury.
The front row were excellent today, well supported by our back row who challenged the breakdown repeatedly. Joe Notter, in only his second start for the first team controlled the game well and got his back line moving well with great delayed passes and clever chips to control the defence. This performance was capped off with a fine try. The back three of Declan Nwachukwu, Christian Squire and Marcus Condon were a threat in attack and excellent in defence epitomised by Christian’s final tackle on Medway’s dangerous winger. Combined with a strong performance in the middle of the park by both Harrison Sims, Johnny Ordidge and for the last 15 mins, young colt Oli Chennell, the back line looked composed throughout.

Jamie Redmayne, playing out of position in the second row was immense today, particularly on the decision making front making the right calls time and again and leading by example in the rearguard action at the end. In a tight call, man of the match was awarded to Ciaran Preston who at hooker was excellent today making several turnovers, carrying with venom and have an all-round busy game.
Next up we visit old rivals Dartfordians who we know well and where the match is always hugely competitive.”

Horsham: Condon; Nwachukwu, Sims, Ordidge (Chennell), Squire; Johnson S, Linfield; Bell N (Barber), Preston, Cass; Redmayne, Goward; Smith J, Everitt, Price (Grief)