By Ian Lodge
Thanet Wanderers RUFC Ladies 2nd XV 21 Canterbury Christ Church University 37
With the focus over the past few weeks being on Thanet Ladies 1st XV, the midweek floodlit match against the visiting Canterbury Christ Church University was a great opportunity to get game time for some of the less experienced players.
With most of the team with less than 6 games of rugby under their belt, they took to the field in a 12-a-side match. The team were sporting the new kit which will become standard throughout the club starting in season 2024/25.
CCCU fielded a strong side with 3 Kent players and 4 guest players from Canterbury RFC and the battle commenced with both sides going hard at each other in midfield. Both teams had similar game plans by concentrating defence before moving the ball into exploited space.
It was CCCU who started early and two early tries gave them a 12 point lead before the first quarter water break. Thanet came back into the game when a well worked move saw Fleur Moat use he trademark swerve running to crash under the post for a try converted by fly half Kirsty Burns. The half back pairing of Burns and 18-year-old Sophie West was formidable and they marshalled their troops around the park with control and direction.
CCCU extended their lead out to 22-7 before the most popular score of the evening saw winger Daisy Osborne get on the end of a sweet move to dot down in the corner, again converted by Burns. 22-14.
Once again CCCU extended their lead out to 30-14 with a well struck penalty and another try in the corner.
With only a few minutes left there was just enough time to trade one more try each, firstly when Lucy Challenger scampered over under the post before CCCU completed the scoring for a well deserved 37-21 victory.
The game was a valuable exercise for all players from each side. Many CCCU players were playing their first games to allow them to hit their BUCS season running and many of the Thanet ladies gained valuable experience, most putting their hand up for 1st XV selection on the coming weeks