By Ian Lodge
Thurrock RFC 57 Thanet Wanderers Ladies 0
It was a case of a step too far in Thanet Wanderers Ladies Junior Cup quarter final at Thurrock on Sunday as they succumbed to their biggest defeat of the season, 57-0.
Thurrock are usually unable to raise a full XV but with their 1st XV not playing managed to field a full 22 with some unfamiliar faces. Adding in the extra trick of telling their visitors one hour before kick-off that the game was to be played on a 4G pitch, Thanet were up against it.
But all of that was unnecessary as any Thurrock side is experienced and well drilled and they put the Thanet ladies to the sword from the first whistle. They had raced out to a 26-0 lead after 25 minutes and Thanet never recovered.
The score doesn’t fully reflect the game as most of it was played in the middle third of the park. But when Thurrock attacked they showed composure and poise, wore the Thanet defence down and scored.
In contrast when Thanet attacked, players panicked and turned the ball over. But this squad are only 2 years on from their first ever match on 27th March 2022 and they will learn and grow with the games as they come.
The standout players on the park were fly half, Alex White whose composure and game management grows every week and Louise Rubens at hooker who celebrated her call-up to the Kent Women’s squad with a typical hardworking display. She joins Milly Thurman-Newell in the Kent Women’s squad who has been called up for a second season.
Thanet Ladies now finish the season with three home games against Westcliff on March 17th, Ashford on April 14th and Gravesend on April 28th. Three victories, which are entirely possible will see them finish second behind Thurrock in NC2 in their first season at that level.
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