Medway Dragons achieved a massive victory on Saturday when they travelled to Hemel Hempstead to play the Midland Champions, Telford Raiders in the Harry Jepson Trophy Final. Named after a legendary administrator in the game, the Champions of the South West, East, Midlands and London & The South Regions play off to become Tier 5 Champions

Medway had established a lead with a hat-trick by Richard Harris and tries for Toby Gerdes-Hansen, Nick Hardinges and Callum Murray in the first stanza

The Dragons, who had looked certain winners at 34-8 ahead a minute into the second period, held off a strong Telford rally to within four points to take the spoils in a real thriller.

Telford’s revival was sparked by the sin-binning on 45 minutes of Medway’s John Valteri for a late hit.

The Raiders had, before Valteri returned, posted the last two of Benjamin Foskett’s three tries plus a David Adams touchdown, with Daniel Robinson adding each conversion to peg the Dragons back to 26-34. And when Fionn Adlington bustled over on 65 minutes, Medway were hanging on to a tenuous 34-30 lead.

But the Dragons reasserted themselves with a George Moore touchdown five minutes later, and when Nick Hardinges dotted down on 74 minutes and Stanley Orris landed his seventh conversion from eight attempts, Telford’s gallant challenge was effectively over.

Head Coach Justin Hollidge said 'This was the best performance since the 2021 London Grand Final and every player did their job and ensured victory. We had a wobble when down to 12 men but came through in the end.

Dragons Head Coach Martin Coyd reflected afterwards 'We started Mens Rugby League in 2011 after 4 years of building our Juniors and we had a clear vision of where we wanted to go and the mission was to win this Trophy. The plan was 10 years and the target 2012'

'A couple of things have got in the way since 2011, so I am happy to accept a 12 year journey. I had the privilege of getting to know Harry Jepson, one of the great leaders and administrators of our game. This was a great day and one of which we should all be very proud.'

'2024 is out seventeenth year and we have the most wonderful opportunity to build off this magnificent performance and rise again after all our adversities. We are in the right place, we have the right people and will give it our best shot'