The day had started well with a fine victory by the newly formed Under 18s over a strong Thanet Team and certainly the First Team set off with powerful intent.

In spite of the absence of nine front line players, including Thurrock's longest serving captain Reece Durrance, several youngsters are stepping up to the plate and performing admirably.

With the wind in their favour, Jake Bedding hoisted some tremendous box kicks that placed the Medway full-back under immense pressure. From one of these kicks, Thurrock were awarded a penalty for offside allowing Jake Barrand the opportunity to open the scoring with an attempt at goal which he duly obliged.

After more excellent territory gained by Bedding and stand-in fly half Alex Jones, a slick back movement saw Jake Barrand powering over for a superb try which he converted himself.

However, Medway had their own outstanding goal kicker in fly-half Dan Harvey and he reduced the arrears before some brilliant interplay between backs and forwards led to lock Tani Loka strolling over unopposed.

At this stage Medway were in complete disarray and talking only about saving face! With Henry Bird and Niall Clifford, playing with authority in midfield, it looked as if this was going to be a landslide victory for the home side, but then a searing turn of pace by winger Alfie Orris saw him scorch past two defenders to raise Medway's spirits with a brilliant individual try out of nothing.

Nevertheless Thurrock went into the half-time break with a commanding lead and with Brad Retigan and Charlie Russo putting in some huge tackles, a home victory seemed the likely outcome. This was confirmed after the interval when a typical barrelling run from the outstanding Chris Shorter, saw him crabbing over the line for another addition to his scrap-book. Barrand added the extras before extending the lead with another penalty.

Thurrock had now stretched out to what looked like an unassailable lead 25 points to 8. However rugby is a game of momentum and suddenly one small mistake transformed the whole as this led to a series of misjudgements which allowed Medway a bridgehead into the game.

As Medway kicked off , Thurrock spilled the ball and suddenly a yellow card to Dan Carey was shortly followed by a penalty try to the visitors. With Alfie Orris and Zach Garratt now making serious inroads for Medway, Thurrock were reduced to 13 players when fullback Darryl Worster made an illegal tackle. Orris soon added his second try of the afternoon as he outflanked everyone for another fine try and the scores were tied with five minutes remaining. In spite of a fine rearguard action by Caolan Watts-Adams, Dan Ulph and Ryan Wilkins, Medway were awarded another penalty at the death with Harvey securing an unlikely win for the away side.

Tragedy for Thurrock who were probably the better side, but failed to manage the final part of the game.

These are exciting times at Oakfield with a fine crop of young players coming through and the Rugby World Cup starting with Home Nation, Japan playing Russia on Friday morning.

On Saturday, Thurrock are away to old rivals Dartfordians with an earlier kick off at 2:00 p.m.