Tries: Codrington

Conversions: Martin

Pens: Martin (2)

Drop Goals:

Stevenage arrived at Teddington knowing that victory would secure them promotion to London 2 North whilst the Medicals were looking to cause an upset and aid their push for a play-off place. To tackle the size and power of the visitor's side Austin Dekker selected an experienced squad teeming with doctors and post-grads with No. 8 Nick Farren wearing the captains armband. Despite persistent drizzle the Teddington pitch was, as ever, in immaculate condition allowing for an exciting game of running rugby.

The Medicals, playing towards the clubhouse in the first half, started brightly and were soon to establish a 6-0 lead. Causing the visitors problems by increasing the tempo of the game the Medicals were to be awarded two penalties in quick succession. With both infringements occuring in front of the posts skipper Nick Farren immediately instructed Guy Martin to kick the penalties, which the fly-half duly did.

Rather shell-shocked, the visitors reverted to type and began to drive the ball up through the forwards. The immense Stevenage pack caused the Medicals a torrid time at the scrum and made yards around the fringes. It was, therefore, rather predictable when the visitors bulldozered their way over from close range. After a Stevenage lineout deep in Medicals territory the hosts were able to halt the initial maul but, with Chris Hallewell picking up an injury in the process, the visitors were able to bundle over against the depleated Medicals defence. The conversion was missed and Peter O'Neill replaced Chris Hallewell in the Medicals' second row.

Having got themselves back into the game Stevenage went for the jugular but were faced with an impenetrable Medicals defence with the back row of Nick Farren, Francois Tudor and Greg Thomas putting in telling tackles all over the pitch. Repelling the visitors advances the Medicals themselves looked dangerous when allowed space. Tim Sinnett and Guy Martin distributed well with Martin Borthwick, Sam Codrington and Suna Bull running hard lines and regularly getting over the gain line. However, as half time approached the visitors were to score against the run of play. After Francois Tudor had given away a needless penalty for taking out the Stevenage kick chaser the visitor's pick and goes around the fringes put the Medicals on the back foot. A defensive mix up between props Tim Hookway and Jeremy Bartosiak-Jentys then allowed the Stevenage second row in at the corner. The conversion was missed.

Just prior to half time the Medicals could have been further behind but for a superb cover tackle form full-back Martin Borthwick who bundled the Stevenage winger out of play whilst he was in the act of scoring. Therefore, trailing by only four points the Medicals were well in the game and coach Kevan Bell asked for more of the same in teh second half.

The Medicals were to begin the second period like men possessed. The opening ten minutes were played at break-neck pace as the home side opened up the game and the visitors defence. Superb interplay between forwards and backs and lightening quick ball allowed the Medicals to make inroads into the Stevenage half with the hosts only denied by some superb last ditch tackling by the visitors. And again the Medicals were to suffer rotten luck as a Stevenage clering kick took an awkward bounce making it difficult for full-back Borthwick to collect. Despite Borthwicks best efforts the ball went lose at the ensuing ruck allowing the Stevenage wing to pick up and run in under the posts. The Stevenage kicker was successful with the simple conversion.

Not diheartened by their ill fortune the Medicals hit right back. As the visitors launched an attack in mid-field the ever alert Sam Codrington was able to break out and intercept the ball. Selling an audacious dummy, which was bought by the Stevenage chasers, Codrington was able to win the foot race to the line and touch down under the posts. Martin made no mistake with the conversion. Soon after Simon Bellringer replaced the injured Tim Sinnett with Martin Borthwick switching to scrum-half.

Again trailing by only four points the Medicals pushed for further scores as they gave the visitors a challenge they have rarely experienced this season. Sustained pressure in the Stevenage twenty-two allowed the Medicals to set up their driving maul. Marching towards the line the host's drive was fragmented by the visitors. Spotting his chance Dimitri Amiras broke off from the back and crashed his way over the line. Just inches from grounding the ball Amiras was held up by the commited Stevenage defence. The visitors wer to seal the game with a late penalty and try. With the Medicals pushing hard for a try of their own Stevenage were able to counter attack from deep. The visitors full back was brought down just short of the line by superb last ditch tackling from Rory Hutchinson but from the ensuing ruck Nick Farren was harshly ajudged to have entered from the side earning himself a yellow card and giving Stevenage an easy penalty.

In the dying minutes the visitors were able to give the score a rather unrepresentative look by scoring from a chip and chase into the corner but at the final whistle the Medicals knew they had given their opponents a stern test and that three more performances of this ilk will secure them the play-off spot they have been working hard for all season.

Congratulations to Stevenage on their promotion to London 2 North.

Jez

Thank you to Sophie for providing physio cover on part one of this busy weekend..