Medway’s hopes of a winning start to 2024 were dashed after a 34-19 Regional 2 South East defeat at home to Sidcup.

Early power from the visitors in the first scrummage won a kick at goal for a 3-0 lead, but a second penalty was missed. There was no let-off, though, when Sidcup used their strong lineout and scrummage platform to good effect for an excellent team try and a 10-0 advantage by the half-hour mark.

Max Bullock hit back for Medway, intercepting a pass before beating two players for a brilliant solo try. Owen Church-Mills kicked the conversion and with five minutes of the first half left the hosts trailed by just three points. There was still time for Sidcup’s fly-half to cross the whitewash, before Bullock sidestepped his way to the line, Church-Mills adding the extras, to trail by one at the break.

Sidcup started the second half the stronger and a clever crossfield kick was caught and held by their winger before finding the corner for a 20-14 lead. They then added a set-piece try, plus the extras, and another converted score put the icing on the cake.

Medway had an extra man advantage in the final 10 minutes and scored a third try through replacement flanker Tom Beaumont. Despite another Sidcup yellow card a fourth, bonus-point try proved beyond them.

The defeat leaves Medway seventh in the standings ahead of Saturday’s trip to bottom-of-the-table London Cornish.