Tries: Farren (2), O'Neill

Conversions: Neville

Pens:

Drop Goals:

A glorious spring day greeted the Medicals at Teddington for a top of the table clash against London New Zealand. With both teams in good form and conditions set fair the scene was set for an enthralling game of free flowing rugby, the result of which would go a long way to deciding the Medicals' promotion prospects. Skipper Austin Dekker, making his team selection from Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, chose many of the players that had served him well in the recent unbeaten run and handed the captaincy to scrum-half Tom Maynard. However, injuries forced two changes in the pack where Peter Russell started at hooker and James Saffin replaced Dekker at blindside flanker.

London New Zealand, looking to get their Waitangi Day celebrations off to the best possible start, opened the game brightly, forcing the home side onto the back foot. Despite some spirited defence the visitors crossed after a well worked set piece. A lineout on the Medicals' twenty-two allowed the All Blacks to get quick ball to the backs who ran a well conceived move with the full-back cutting a line which scythed through the Medicals' defence. The visitors No.15 touched down to the right of the uprights, however, the London New Zealand kicker was unable to add the extras.

Unable to get themselves into the game the Medicals looked to the set piece to set a platform. With the lineout working well and the scrum completely dominant the home side began to gain territory and possession. However, some uncharacteristically poor tactical kicking allowed the visitor's dangerous backline to counter attack from deep. Soon, London New Zealand doubled their lead when timidity in the Medicals midfield allowed the visitor's strong running centre to burst through and, despite full-back Martin Borthwick's best efforts, crash over from ten metres out. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Having given their opponents a ten point lead the Medicals finally sparked into life as the pack began to take control. Strong running by 2nd row Peter O'Neill and No.8 Nick Farren, with openside flanker Francois Tudor regularly on hand for the offload, put the home side on the front foot. From a lineout on the visitor's twenty-two the Medicals juggernaut driving maul moved into gear, slowly working its way towards the London New Zealand line. Rolling left and right the pack showed great control to keep the drive going with Nick Farren eventually able to topple over the line. Centre Dan Neville was unable to add the difficult conversion.

After having just worked their way back into the game the Medicals were to suffer a double disappointment. First, promising prop Ed Pickles was forced off with a groin injury and second, the home side conceded a needless penalty for being offside in the backline. Fellow fresher Jonny Fisher-Black replaced Pickles in the front row and the London New Zealand kicker was able to slot the penalty, extending his sides advantage to 8 points. And so the scores were to remain until half-time, with the only noteworthy moment of the first half's final minutes being a crunching tackle from hooker Peter Russell.

During the interval the Medicals knew that they had been solid enough but just required an extra spark to ignite their play. With the game still up for grabs the second half proved to be a ding-dong affair with both sides playing some excellent running rugby.

The home side, looking to narrow their deficit, were to start the second period showing greater urgency. The Medicals audacious wings, Suna Bull and Sam Codrington, began to have a greater influence on the game. Nevertheless, as so often is the case the next points were scored against the run of play. Again London New Zealand employed a move straight from the training ground. From a lineout in the Medicals twenty-two the visitors exploited the hooker channel. The home side, seemingly having the danger covered, were to miss vital tackles which allowed the London New Zealand hooker to plough in from 10 metres out. The conversion was yet again unsuccessful.

The Medicals were to react to the set back in the best possible way as the forwards once again took control. Sharp pick and goes around the ruck helped raise the host's confidence and dissipate the visitors energy. As soon as the opportunity arose, skipper Tom Maynard instructed Dan Neville to steer his pack into the corner. From the attacking lineout the visitors once again had no answer to the Medicals driving maul as Farren crashed over the line after being given an armchair ride by the tight five. Neville masterfully steered the conversion between the uprights.

Under pressure the visitors required a moment of inspiration to all but make the game safe. Receiving the ball around the ten metre line the London New Zealand right wing was able to round Sam Codrington, step Martin Borthwick and Francois Tudor and shrug off the desperate attentions of Joe Codrington and Nick Farren to dive in under the posts for a spectacular try. The visitor's kicker had little trouble with the simplest of conversions.

With the clock running down and the Medicals 13 points in arrears the home side threw everything at the opposition. The front row of Bartosiak-Jentys, Russell and Fisher-Price who had turned over the visitor's scrum all day provided the Medicals with good ball which allowed the hard carrying Dimitri Amiras and James Sharples, on for Chris Hallewell and Graham Sidorowicz respectively, to put the hosts in good field position. Spotting a gap around the ruck, 2nd row Peter O'Neill was able to pick up the ball and race towards the line from 30 metres out. Riding through a desperate tap tackle O'Neill was able cross the line 10 metres in from the left touchline. Neville missed a conversion, which given his outstanding recent form, he would have normally kicked.

The visitors, desperate to hang onto their 8 point lead resorted to ever more debatable defensive tactics, however, these were punished by the referee as two of the visitor's replacements were shown yellow cards. This proved to be somewhat of a double edged sword for the Medicals as the second sin-binning meant the game ended with uncontested scrums. Despite sustained pressure, the visitors held on showing dogged determination and a thou shalt not pass attitude.

The Medicals, having suffered their first defeat in eight London 3NW games, now face a tricky away trip next Saturday to play Enfield Ignatians. How the Medicals react will prove pivotal for the teams position come the end of the season.

Jez

Many thanks to Sophie for providing physio cover.