Result and Report

Report

TWRUFC U14s match report Kent Bowl Final 7th April 2019

Thanet Wanderers u14s made their way to a misty and murky Ashford RFC on Sunday morning to defend the Kent Bowl trophy they won in glorious sunshine last season. A much-changed squad with some boys playing in their first final arrived hoping the weather would brighten up. The coaches hoping the boys would show the same flair and determination they showed in the tough semi-final against Old Beccs. The format of the competition meant that the u14s, u15s and u16s Cup, Plate and Bowl finals were all being played on the same morning, meant a busy morning and a good crowd for the boys to play in front of. It also meant that TWRUFC were playing in a 3-way final with local Rivals Deal RFC and Medway RFC.

The first game was a very tight affair between Medway and Deal. Medway scraping through with a converted try in the last minute for a 7-0 win.

After a short break it was TWRUFC’s time to take on the bigger Medway side. Prompted by the coaches to concentrate on quick line speed in defence to put pressure on their big Ÿâ€™s paid off. Captain James P and Patrick S putting some big hits in the centres. The forwards competed well at the break down regularly shoving the bigger opposition pack off the ball. The backrow of Oz , Flynn and Beau winning lots of ball at the rucks to give scrum half Owen some nice quick ball. Fly half Harrison Q mixing up the game with some good ball distribution and some good kick chase opportunities for the Thanet backs to chase. With the Thanet pack gaining ascendency over the Medway pack with some great pick and go runs from Beau, Sam M and Charlie in particular.

The deadlock was broken after a quick tap penalty taken by Owen meant Charlie W crashed through several Medway tackles before being driven over the line for the opening score under the posts. Harrison Converted well for a 7 - 0 lead at half time.

The second half was a tight affair with both sides playing well, Thanet attacked regularly however unfortunately a number of final passes being adjudged forward or knocked on. Thanet countered well from the Medway fly halves booming kicks with Fullback Farzaam and wing Josh P making several darting runs however unable to finish off the tries and extend the lead. Thanet defended well keeping Medway at bay with some dominate tackling by Beau, Sam M and Flynn in particular.

Thanet managed to hold out and win the first game 7 – 0 to the great relief of the coaches and parents alike and all the boys were keen to get going again against Deal. A team who they knew would be another stern test.

After a short break and a couple of changes for some weary legs after the first game and to enable Josh P to answer an Urgent call of nature! The game began with Deal kicking off, the ball was well taken by Flynn who ran the ball back supported well by Oz and Beau. The Deal defence was strong however good recycling meant the ball was free for Harrison to free the back line some strong running by James P and Patrick allowed Farzaam another opportunity to try and get around the Deal winger however he was brought down outside the Deal 22m line. The games were then nip and tuck with both sides equally defending well and running well.

0 – 0 at half time and Josh P back in the line meant some fresh legs for Thanet. Harrison kicked off and a good ball chase meant Deal were kept back in their own half, scrum half Owen continued to test his opposite number with some sniping runs from the rucks and mauls. Harrison kicked well from the resulting penalties gaining good ground. Deal were regularly forced to give away penalties due to the Thanet pressure giving Harrison a chance for a kick at goal from outside the 22m line which unfortunately went wide. Thanet maintained the pressure from the ko, with Charlie and Beau making some crashing runs, a score was surely coming! A ruck close to the Deal try line was hotly contested and the resulting kick went as far as Patrick S who broke the first tackle before off loading to Josh P for yet another try and not a more important try evading several defenders to score under the posts for Harrison to convert.

Deal attacked hard trying to find the equalising score and Thanet defended valiantly despite several injuries to Flynn S followed by Sam B meaning more changes in the final minutes. Coaches, parents and players eagerly wishing the clock down. Deal then knocked on from another hard Thanet tackle the ref indicating that the Thanet scrum was the last play. The forwards did their job well providing a steady platform for No 8 and unanimous Player of The Week Beau to fittingly pick up and hoof the ball into touch.

Players, parents and coaches all relieved to have won both hard fought and equally contested games. The presentation came next and Captain James P lifting the cup in the air to resounding applause from the supporting parents. The coaches receiving great praise on the way the boys played from both opposition coaches which is great praise and in true spirit of the game.

Thanet now look forward to hosting SE London touring team Beckenham RFC at St Peters on Saturday before preparations start for the Kent 7s at the end of the month.

Team: - Charlie W, Sam B, Tom K, Josh J, Sam M, Flynn S, Oz W, Beau T, Owen J, Harrison Q, James P (Capt.) Patrick S, Luke D, Josh P and Farzaam Y – Finishers Rhys T, Josh L, Zach W & Ben B.

J.Deacon Head Coach