Thanet Wanderers victory on the Sussex coast

Photo Toby Gardner

After a delayed arrival, Wanderers left it very late to secure the win on the windy Sussex coast.

Thanet chose to play against a very strong wind in the first half. Lewis Hewitt, playing at outside centre, intercepted and made good ground to set Wanderers in a good attacking position before some quality handling across the field ended with left wing Charlie Knight popping up in the line towards the right before cutting in for another excellent try. Zac Ward converted and Thanet led 7-0 after five minutes. After twenty minutes a Thanet tackle was missed, a try was conceded and the conversion brought the hosts level, 7-7. Despite conceding two yellow cards Eastbourne defended well and the score remained at 7-7 at halftime.

Ward’s trusty boot kept the scoreboard ticking with three penalties for the Thanet side in the second half but two tries for the hosts gave them a narrow lead as the ref indicated  the final play. Wanderers forwards mounted one final surge to the line and Adam Gaddes emerged as the scorer of the try that gave Thanet victory by 21-19

The man of the match award went to Ryan Copp who responded to a late call up for the unfamiliar role of full back with a top quality performance.

The first XV are at home on Saturday next 1st April versus Old Dunstonians kick off 3pm. The Beckenham team have won their last three games and ran us close in the away fixture so a good game is in prospect for the final home league match of the season. The 2’s are also at home versus league leaders Tonbridge Juddians and will be full of confidence after a thumping 65-5 win v Medway last Saturday.

EASTBOURNE RFC 19-21 THANET WANDERERS RUFC