By Colin Whiteley
Thanet Wanderers 2s 24 – 21 Bromley 2s
This was a quarter final fixture of the Kent Plate competition against Bromley who are currently fifth in Counties 4 Kent league. Wanderers 2s are 3rd in Kent Rural League A after a successful season to date.
The morning rain had given way to a pleasant mild afternoon and playing conditions were good. Early exchanges indicated that both teams had good defences and it was no surprise when Wanderers’ captain,
Tom Stevens opted to go for the posts when a penalty was awarded after fifteen minutes. 3-0 to Thanet.
This was a good contest and nearly half an hour had been played when Wanderers forward, Alfie Reeves hustled his way over for a try that was converted for a 10-0 lead. Both sides battled hard but there was no further score before half time.
Early in the second half, scrum half Leon Doody spotted an opening and avoided all tackles as he headed for the line for a fine individual touch down The conversion was good and Wanderers were 17-0 ahead. Bromley were a good side and, with time on their side, were not deterred by the lead. Two converted tries within ten minutes brought them close at 17-14 and the momentum was with them.
Despite herculean efforts from the Thanet defence, Bromley crossed for a third converted try that gave them the lead at 17-21 with the clock ticking. Play was end to end and it took a lovely converted try from Harrison Quittenden, who is working his way back after injury, to get the home noses in front at 24-21. That proved to be the final score in a closely contested match between two very good sides who provided some excellent entertainment for the spectators.
Thank you to referee Richard Ebanks for his quality performance and congratulations to Ben Turner, Thanet’s Number eight who was voted to be Wanderers’ player of the match by the opposition players.
Wanderers will be away to Maidstone 2s in the semi final of the plate on a date to be confirmed.
On a neighbouring pitch Wanderers 3s won a rearranged Kent Rural League B fixture by 39-17 to retain third place.
Thanet Wanderers Veterans 26 – 19 Sittingbourne RFC Veterans
Wanderers had assembled a good team of Veterans with experience in the blue, black and gold from over the past forty years plus. The weather was kind and encouraged the fast moving handling game that the Vets of both sides produced.
Wanderers were on the board after three minutes when scrum half, Rupert Syred took a quick tap penalty and went through a gap in the opposition line to touch down. Mickey Capeling converted for a 7-0 Wanderers’ lead.
The visitors soon settled and a good contest ensued but without further score until half time neared when, after good handling, the visitors touched down. There was no conversion from the drop-kick attempt and it was 7-5 at the break.
Thanet were again quick out of the blocks for the second period and some excellent handling was very well finished by Tim Williams to extend the lead to 12-5 after the conversion slipped by the posts. Ten minutes into the half, the visitors’ nice movement brought their second try and with the extras, they were now level at 12-12.
It was a really good battle for the next crucial score and it was Royce Cadman who touched down for Thanet after a speedy run to the posts and Wanderers lead was restored at 19-12.
Chris Gregory scored a great individual try to extend Wanderers lead to 26-12. Typically, Sittingbourne didn’t see that as game over and kept plugging away until the night’s referee, Jez Michaels’ patience was exhausted and he was running to the posts to signal a penalty try. That score was the game’s last to leave the final score at 26-19.
Wanderers are now listed to meet either Park House or Beckenham Vets in the Final of the Spitfire Gold Plate competition on Sunday 13th April at Maidstone RFC.
