After a promising opening to the season, Vigo continued their inexorable slide down the table with a heavy defeat by League leaders Medway. However, the scoreline did not reflect the match as Vigo, beset by injury and unavailability, fought all the way and scored the try of the season at the death.

Really, Vigo should have taken the lead after weathering the early Medway storm, with some sterling defensive work. Eventually Andy Wilford drove powerfully to raise the initial siege, leading the Villagers into Medway territory. Although Stuart Spiers, forced into kicking duties with both front line kickers, Dan Norton and James Weller missing, failed with a penalty kick, Vigo maintained pressure on the visitors. A superb threequarter move saw Jamie Caton, in at emergency outside centre, setting up a wonderful opportunity for Terry Bonner to score. Lack of match practice probably contributed to Bonner grassing the pass with an open field before him, but he was soon to make more telling contributions with some crunching tackles and cover defence. Medway, reprieved showed why they are League leaders by hitting back at Vigo. A strong run by Bob Ellis on the wing was stopped by a superb tackle by Caton. Medway, who are always given a close match by Vigo, began to build up a head of steam, but Vigo’s pack matched them blow for blow as the game progressed. Medway’s captain and talisman, Liam Weobley, still only 27 but the ‘elder statesman’ in a young exciting team, led the charge, making the hard yards and ensured Vigo’s pack would not overwhelm his forwards. Perhaps inspired, second row partner Anthony Cross dominated the lines out giving Medway vital breathing space as Vigo sought to dominate the forward exchanges. Medway eventually took the lead after 20 minutes with a simple Gleen Wadsworth penalty after some illicit handling in the ruck by Vigo, before Vigo conceded a soft try. After so much good defence, it was galling to see the bulky Medway Number 8, James Reeves pick up from a five metre scrum and utilise the space afforded by the new offside laws from the scrum to score under the posts through some ineffective tackling. Wadsworth easily converted and was soon converting a further try by Roger Rhyneheart as Medway opened up a healthy lead. If the first try was soft, the second was well worked with Wadsworth delaying his pass for Simon Green to slice through on a great angle. Vigo stopped Green but there was Rhyneheart on his shoulder to complete the move. Vigo had little to show for some brave work, refusing to resort to keeping the ball tight, depleted as they were in the backs, and consequently contributing to a fine game. They duly gained reward when they forced themselves deep into Medway territory after good work by Toby Skinner and Caton forced Medway onto the back foot. Awarded a five metre scrum, Vigo attacked and after giving way a series of penalties to prevent the score, at last Medway cracked. Vigo drove for the line with David Dunn claiming his ninth try of the season.

Vigo’s second string suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of a very good Sevenoaks outfit. Relatively young and boasting some senior players returning from injury, the visitors were too quick and too well drilled for the Villagers. Although only 24-7 down at half time, the flood gates opened in the second half as Sevenoaks superior fitness and class told running in 11 tries in total.

Vigo old boy, Miles Hayward, making a welcome return, albeit, in the colours of Sevenoaks was rather nonplussed to be not recognised by former team mate and near neighbour, Carl Hayward, in direct opposition but still managed to score one of those tries. Perhaps, poor old Carl’s eyes aren’t what they used to be !!

Ian Hall celebrated being a new father by scuttling over for Vigo’s solitary try, converted by Bob Fitton. This was a chastening experience for Vigo, beset as the senior side are, by injury and losing veteran hooker, Russell waters early in the game, but they took their beating gracefully, with improved discipline and no little effort.

Mike Grayland, on as replacement, personified the spirit of Vigo with Ian Hall picking up the Golden Pilchard for Vigo’s MVP.