By Colin Whiteley
Medway Vets 35 – 29 Thanet Wanderers Vets
A team of Wanderers Vets, depleted by attendance at Internationals and family commitments, travelled to Medway for their first match in this year’s Kent Spitfire trophy competition. Team captains and managers consulted and ensured a game when Medway generously loaned the visitors a selection of their players throughout the game and ensured that an entertaining and competitive match could be played.
Wanderers opened the scoring with an early try through slick passing, with Rupert Syred directing the forwards well from scum half, followed two minutes later with one for the hosts that was converted. A good offload from Neil Roby brought Thanet a second try and they went further ahead when a penalty try was awarded. Medway used their big forwards well to score a try under the posts and the extras meant that Wanderers led by 17-14 at half time.
Medway attacked from the kick off to the second period and scored under the posts but Wanderers responded three minutes later with a try from their determined left winger that could not be converted. Medway regained the lead and stretched further ahead minutes later with a converted try. The match ended appropriately with a try under the posts for Thanet from Dean Prescott on one of his many surging runs and made the result a win for Medway by 35-29.
Wanderers coach and captain, Peter Macaulay, was impressed by the Wanderers who showed commitment to play and not let Medway down as they were hosting a Movember Charity Day.
He said: “Our Pack stood up well to a chunky Medway Pack and even got the better of them in most scrums. Considering we were a complete mix of players there was some great interplay. Many players started the game as walking wounded and ‘Finishers’ in this game just referred to anyone who lasted the game! Congratulations to Kurt on the left wing who was the Man of the Match on his debut.”