CHARLTON Park continued their good start to 2010 with a gritty performance against Medway.

They scored three tries and in doing so, consolidated their position in the top third of the table.

Medway started at a blistering pace by trying to use their speedy backs and but for two poor passes, the home side could have taken the lead with possibly two tries in the first 10 minutes.

Having suffered two scares, Charlton began to impose themselves onto the play and started to organise their defence, effectively dealing with a Medway side intent on running the ball at every opportunity and using their home field knowledge.

With the majority of play being in Charlton’s half, their defensive qualities were tested fully but due to good 15-man play, Medway were unable to convert their possession into any points.

Despite having to defend for long periods, Charlton began to impose themselves in the forward exchanges, both in loose play and winning ball.

Also with Charlton’s back row playing effectively, they began to make breaks with Jon Burke and Rob Saunderson to the fore making good yardage.

It was midway through the half Charlton finally opened the scoring when a Medway clearance kick down the centre was fielded by Mick Casizzi.

He slipped the ball to Saunderson, who broke well up field and following slick handling and a switch move, using Fraser Wilkie as a decoy, Casizzi finished off the move to score a try.

Holding a narrow lead, the remainder of the first half saw Charlton trying to consolidate the positron but without any real success as Medway’s defence held strong, allied to Charlton making several unenforced errors.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw Charlton increase their lead with a penalty kicked by Barry O’Keeffe.

But with both sides evenly matched, a seesaw game followed with both sides striving to gain the upper hand.

It required an epic chase and tackle back by Burke when he caught a Medway break and saved a certain try being scored by the home side.

But unfortunately for Charlton, he was yellow carded by the referee who adjudged his tackle to be slightly high.

Reduced to 14-men, Charlton’s defence was tested for the ensuing 10 minutes but despite herculean attempts by Medway, the solid line was not breached.

Having endured the period of pressure, Charlton gained the initiative in many facets of play and their superiority in the forwards led to them slowly playing more in Medway’s half.

In was in the last 10 minutes Charlton put their mark on the match.

With Medway having to try speculative play due to Thomas and McManus causing problems at the lineout, it was following a ill-judged throw which saw prop Terry Reid catch the ball at the back of the lineout.

A muscular drive saw him crossing the goal line to score a try and with O’Keeffe adding the conversion, Charlton extended their lead.

It was at another lineout Charlton’s back row play in the loose and harassing of Medway bore dividends.

A loose tap of the ball by Medway saw Hugh Simpson winning the ball in loose play and driving over to score a try which O’Keeffe converted with aplomb from the sideline to secure the victory.

Charlton entertain Horsham in the league at Broadwalk on Saturday and on Sunday visit Sevenoaks to play their third round Kent Cup tie.