A win today would go a long way towards consolidating their position in the top 3 and allow for a decent challenge to Vigo who had stormed out of the blocks. The home side did exactly what they needed to, running in 5 tries.

The game began with solid Black and Gold pressure; camped on the try line there was the impression that the home side were trying force the score. Eventually 'Bridge cut their losses and to a shot a goal from a penalty. Whiting scored the three. 3-0 after 10 minutes. It should have been more.

Just as we had see when we played over in Rochester, Medway are a spirited and proud team. Unsurprisingly they came back at the 'Bridge and forced a push over try. Not, it must be said, without forcing back some very spirited defence. Medway had clearly forgotten to pack a kicker when they set off this morning and the (not all that difficult) conversion was sent wide. 'Bridge trailed by 2.

From the restart Edenbridge looked to stamp their mark back on the game as they had done in he opening 10. Sure enough, the ball was stolen from the visitors by some great work in the tight by Lacey. From the solid turn over ball it was relatively simple work for Batchelor to score just to the left of the posts. Whiting added the extras and the lead was retaken almost immediately; 10-5 Edenbridge.

Determined not to let the visitors slip through again Edenbridge began to turn the screw. The aggressive but clean contest in the rucks began to edge the way of the home side. Not too long after their first try, 'Bridge found themselves camped on Medway's try line again. Some dubious decision making by players in Black and Gold delayed the score somewhat but Batchelor went over for his second eventually resulting in a blow to the head for his troubles. Whiting again added the 2.

The first half had about 10 minutes to go when Perry scored his first try on the season. Using his pace he ran outside his opposite number to dot down on in line with the 15m line. Another 7 points after Whiting's successful conversion. The last 5 minutes of the half provided some worry moment for Edenbridge as again they reverted to trying to force the game. Thankfully the ball was hoofed into touch from an Edenbridge penalty; a chance to regain composure.

As last time, half time saw Medway getting a stern talking to and sure enough they came back hard in the second half. The pace of the game had slowed which did not suit Edenbridge’s eager backs. The Medway forwards began to gradually grind away the defence and scored another push over try. It had, however, taken then 25 minutes to do so and time was not something they had the luxury of. They also could not afford to miss the extras again. 24-10 with 15 minutes to go.

Medway soon added another try, scored out in the corner despite the protestations of Whiting, who had put in a superb cover tackle, that the man had touched the flag first. The conversion was never going to be scored and sure enough the score remained at 24-15.

Edenbridge decided to close the game out. A beautiful set-piece move set Whiting in for a try via the cross field kick from Edmonds who had replaced Tipler just after half time. This time the 2 points escaped. 29-15 with only 5 minutes or so left to play.

Weaver obviously had decided to announce his return from injury with a try and he did so right at the end to put the icing on the cake of an excellent home win. From their 10m line he wrestled the ball free from a maul, rode through 2 tackles to score under the posts. With the successful conversion came the full-time whistle.

An excellent win to set us in good stead for the visit to the league leaders in a fortnight. Edenbridge will have to up their game slightly by making better decisions; at times composure went missing in action, something that could cost Edenbridge dearly against more clinical opposition.

Edenbridge:

Scorers:
Tries: Batchelor (2), Perry, Whiting, Weaver
Cons: Whiting (4)
Pens: Whiting

Team:
15. Sedgwick, S.; 14. Clarke, R; 13. Whiting, M; 12. Tipler, J (rep. Edmonds, J); 11. Perry, S; 10. Wallis, D; 9. Purvis, A; 1. Lacey, P; 2. MacInnes, A; 3. Coates, M; 4. Barnes, T; 5. Stevens, B; 6. Batchelor, S; 7. Weaver, B; 8. Mitchell, D (capt.)