Six sparkling tries from Wanderers as they shine in the sun

By Colin Whiteley

Thanet Wanderers RUFC 37– 12 Maidstone RFC

Ben Cannon, Sam Taylor and Adam Harrison, who had all made good starts for the Wanderers in their opening two fixtures, were unavailable for this game. Lenny Brown stepped into the loosehead berth, and Brett Scott was a starter at number eight. Callum Doody moved from scrum half to take the ten shirt and there was a debut in senior rugby for Tom O’Callaghan at nine. Maidstone had won one of their opening two fixtures, and Wanderers aimed to extend their unbeaten start.

Maidstone kicked off up the slope but Wanderers were soon on the attack and when the visitors infringed after five minutes, Lewis Downer slotted the penalty for an early 3-0 lead to the hosts. Doody’s penalty found a long touch to take Thanet well inside the opposition’s 22. Thanet’s backs combined well and took the Wanderers close. O’Callaghan drew some of the defenders as he went right before Wanderers’ hooker, Finn White showed great awareness and speed to ghost down the blindside of a ruck for a try that was not converted but Thanet led 8-0. Both sides will rue the number of penalties they conceded that halted promising situations for them.

The visitors missed a very kickable penalty whilst for Wanderers Scott and Jake Whittlesea combined well before Maidstone lost ground when called back for taking the ball back in. Back surged Wanderers and established themselves in the visitors’ 22. Two penalties in quick succession kept Thanet close to the line and a big effort saw the pack cross and Mike Whitehead emerge as the scorer. Downer converted for a 15-0 lead to the Wanderers. Minutes later Wanderers were penalised for being in front of the kicker and found themselves back on the defence. A nicely executed catch and drive from the visitors’ pack brought them a touch down for an unconverted try, The 15-5 scoreline remained a few minutes later when the half-time whistle sounded.

Whitehead took a break with Dominick Springer replacing him for the start of the second half. Maidstone pushed to take advantage of the slope but Wanderers defence stood firm. Another penalty attempt for the visitors slid wide and it was clear Thanet had moved up a gear. Louis Marshall had been a bundle of energy on the touchline waiting for some action and he replaced Jake Whittlesea early in the second half.

Around the hour mark, strong Thanet pressure brought a penalty for Wanderers and a yellow card for Maidstone’s Number seven Reggie Lampey. Marshall now combined with skipper Warren Riddell-Bloomfield and open-side James Crompton down the right and at the subsequent breakdown, Lenny Brown completed the trio of scorers from Wanderers’ front row. Downer’s conversion attempt rebounded from an upright and Wanderers’ were ahead 20-5.

More top handling followed four minutes later after Andy Letts strode through defenders down the left. Doody’s long pass set Marshall free and he then extracted himself from the breakdown to pick up and scorch over, low to the ground. Downer’s conversion attempt went across the face but the try bonus point was secured. Five minutes later a fifth try followed a lung bursting build up.

A misplaced clearance was gathered by Mirams who evaded a couple of chasers before chipping ahead when the ball was moved across the field from Dennis Davies to Crompton and Brown and on to Downer who finished strongly. No conversion but at 30-5, the selectors gave their captain a break giving ten minutes to Finley Hickmott who had time to remind them of his talent whilst Brown also signed after a good shift with Whitehead back.

Maidstone had no intention of going quietly and, playing some good rugby, they were alert to a loose ball and scored a well-converted try. To Wanderers went the final word. Mirams again broke from deep, Marshall received at the breakdown near Wanderers’ ten-metre line and was near the opposition line when challenged. Downer’s chip kept the move alive and Marshall doubled around to pass to White who handed on to Downer to touch down and then convert his own try for a 37-12 final score.

Head Coach, Elliot Blackmore is quietly satisfied with his team’s performance and praised the debut of Tom O’Callaghan who will now go to University in Cardiff after an excellent first game in senior rugby. A player who is at the other end of the experience scale is back-row forward Brett Scott. Playing at number eight today he showed that he is fully recovered from the injury sustained in a pre-season fixture and displayed all his many skills and will to win today to be chosen as the Thanet Coaches’ Man of the Match.

Next Saturday, 28th September, we shall entertain Sidcup 2s who have also played 3 and won them, they are a place above us in second place in the early league table due to a superior points difference. Kick-off is at 3PM, please support.

In association with Sidcup RFC, there will be a club lunch prior to the match in aid of the Mizen Foundation. Many will remember the tragic death of 16-year-old Jimmy, by stabbing, in 2008. He was a promising rugby player and his parents, in association with the Sidcup club, have helped keep his memory alive.

Details of the Mizen foundation can be found on Mizenfoundation.org and more details of the lunch can be obtained from Patrick Liddle on 07523 945031. Lunch bookings as usual from Kelly (details on the poster on the club’s social media).