By Ian Lodge
Beckenham Ladies 10 Thanet Wanderers Ladies 17
Thanet Ladies went on the long trip up to Beckenham RFC on Sunday in the last 32 of the cup and came back with a narrow victory to take the through to the last 16.
After last week’s league defeat at Thurrock, Thanet had to start well and so they did after a bulldozing run Ella Thurman-Newell, quick hands put prop Louise Rubens through a hole who used her hand off skills to get over for a 5-0 lead.
But after giving away a number of penalties in their own 22 it was not long until Beckenham had equalised. Both conversion were missed and the 5-5 took us into half time.
Substitute winger Jess Anderson had entered the fray after recovering from a chest infection and once again good hands from a backline marshalled by fly half, Alex White sent Anderson away for her first try. She managed to get under the posts and White converted for a 12-5 lead.
That lead didn’t last long either as the powerful Beckenham pack made holes in the defence for the centre to crash over. Crucially that conversion was missed and Thanet took a 12-10 lead into the final quarter.
With the tie on the line and the play all taking place in the middle of the park it was to be one break or missed tackle that would decide the tie. Left winger Anderson stepped up again, outpaced her winger and sneaked in at the corner for a 17-10 victory.
At the time of writing the draw for the last 16 is not complete but Thanet Ladies are hoping for a home tie so the people of Thanet can come and see the progress of the team.