Medway's involvement in the Papa John’s Bowl competition fell at the first hurdle after losing out to Old Centralians.

The team from Gloucester returned home victorious, winning 29-10.

Following a cup lunch, the two level five sides competed infront of a partisan Medway crowd.

It was the visitors who struck first, scoring early penalty points as Medway infringed infront of their own posts. Both teams then defended well for the next half hour there was stalemate.

Medway eight Lewis Stimpson took a heavy tackle and was replaced by Michael Fankah, an Oxford Blue from the previous week’s Varsity match. Fankah led the home charge but the Old Boys held.

Richard Petch, who was playing in his final 1st XV game before retirement together with Jordan Stubbington, carried the ball time and again but the defence was immovable.

Then debutant fly-half Jack Brown chipped the rushing defence and caught the ball looking like a certain try but the opposition transgressed as they defended. The price was a yellow card and a well-kicked penalty by Brown. With 38 minutes gone it was 3-3.

Medway then lost concentration the Gloucester visitors used both their backs forwards to score a good try, to lead 10-3 at the interval.

Sam Yorke came off the bench and made a huge difference to the forward power on his debut. Medway enjoyed their best spell with three penalty repeat scrums, to score a Jordan Stubbington pushover try on the fourth attempt. The conversion was added by Brown for 10-10.

The home crowd had come alive but in a familiar pattern this season Medway napped after scoring a try and the opposition were quick to respond, their full-back’s pace could not be matched.

Medway captain Tom Beaumont stepped into the scrum half boots as more injuries depleted Medway’s squad.

The energy shifted to the visitors who scored two more tries to progress into the next round of the cup. On the adjacent pitch more heartbreak as visitors Ashford RFC 2nd XI won a table topping clash against Medway RFC Crusaders 4ths.

In proper rugby fashion both visiting clubs were congratulated and hosted after the game by Medway RFC and both were wished well for next season.

Medway 1st XV man-of-the-match skipper Beaumont thanked the Medway 1st squad, coaches and managers for working so hard all season, the referees for fabulous officiating and the groundsmen who kept the fixtures going, despite the rain.