TWRUFC 1st XV 33 vs Aylesford Bulls 10

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Match Report

Whilst this was another bonus point win for Thanet it did come at the cost of four yellow cards and captain Warren Riddell-Broomfield leaving the field injured in his 100th game for the club. The weather did not seem to be conducive to a free-flowing game with initially windy conditions and then a fifteen-minute hailstorm halfway through the first half.  

The score also belies the intensity of the game with the visitors third in the table hoping for a bonus point win to either draw level or overtake Thanet in the league table. Tom Walton opened the scoring in the first minute with a penalty, but then Bulls had a period of possession within Thanet’s 22 metres although they were unable to convert this into points. Thanet returned halfway up the pitch with a break by Ben Cannon but a charge down turned the ball over. Alyesford were on the attack but a turnover saw Walton release Adam Harrison to score the first try of the game.  

With Thanet leading 8-0 the visitors had an opportunity to close the gap with a penalty after a quarter of an hour, which was unsuccessful. During the next 15 minutes of play it was difficult for both sides with the wind driving through and a hailstorm to contend with. Thanet received their first yellow card of the game after there had been a team warning for a high penalty count earlier in the match.  Just before the half hour an interception by Walton, within his own half saw him sprint down the pitch and then convert his own try for a 15-0 lead for the home side at half time.  

It only took four minutes of the second half before Tom Walton got his second try of the game despite Wanderers being a man down for the second time in the match. Converting his own try Walton took the score out to 22-0. He then extended the lead with a penalty on the hour making the visitors task more difficult to get within reach of Wanderers score of 25-0.  

Against the run of play Bulls managed to drive Thanet back to score their first try of the game, This came about as Thanet gave away a number of penalties to enable the opposition to advance up the field. Thanet were quickly back in command of the game with good work midfield retaining possession and Giotto McCourt-Welsh grounding the ball for the bonus point try.  

Once again Bulls created a good field position but Thanet were able to clear their lines. Aylesford did not collect the ball, but Ben Turner was the quickest to react and left the opposition behind as he ran in from 40 meters out. As the game came to a close Thanet found themselves pinned down in their own five metres line. The referee decided that two Wanderers had infringed and showed them both a yellow card. The visitors this time took advantage of the personnel superiority to score their second try of the game.  

This was another solid performance from Thanet showing a great team spirit although literally playing half the game a man down. Thanet remain second in the table with two games left to play before the end of the season.  

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties: None

Drop Goals: None