By Ian Lodge
Thanet Wanderers Ladies 2nd XV 84 Faversham RUFC Ladies 0
The Thanet Ladies 2nd XV took to the field for the first time in three weeks against Faversham Ladies, a repeat of their match at Faversham Rec in November. That game was a tightly contested battle ending in a narrow win for the visitors.
Thanet fielded 9 players and Tilia Elliston agreed to play for Faversham and the game could start at 10-a side. Thanet had rested the top 20 players on the squad which is a requirement of Inner Warrior rugby and those players were all present and vocal on the sidelines.
Although the match was fiercely contested in midfield, it was ultimately the hands and awareness of the Thanet players who moved the ball to the edges to score a number of tries.
Captained by Brioni Reah, Kirsty Burns marshalled the side from fly half and added 2 tries and 4 conversions in the first half. Wingers Ellie Hunt and Lia Armstrong got first half hat-tricks and Fleur Moat making her debut in the front row added a long range effort for a 53-0 half time lead.
The only blip in the first half was a rib injury to second row Sian Boyce who had to leave the field. This was later confirmed as three broken ribs and she will miss the rest of the season. We wish her all the best for a swift recovery.
Whatever talk coach Ciaran gave his team, it clearly worked as the Faversham Ladies came out fighting after the break and gave the home ladies some real problems.
Camping in the Thanet 22 for long periods of time it gave the home side a good opportunity to test the defence that they had been working on. The defence held firm.
Later in the half, after some substitutions, Thanet completed the scoring as Burns got her hat-trick, sub Léonie Bish grabbed a try and 2 conversions and Armstrong added her 4th.
Then Sorcha Maddison was rewarded for her hard work in the support lines by first getting on the end of a sweeping move and then going half the length of the pitch for her brace.
Thanet Ladies 2nd XV have their final game away at Rochford on Sunday 24th March. But before then you can see the 1st XV return to action this Sunday 17th March at home to Westcliff, a game that will decide second place in the NC2 league.