Folkestone 34 vs TWRUFC Ladies 1st XV 0

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

On a wet, muddy, and thoroughly miserable afternoon, Thanet Wanderers travelled to league leaders Folkestone knowing they were in for a physical contest.

Thanet kicked off and immediately showed intent, stealing early possession and building phases through strong carries from Emily Williams and Ella Thurman-Newell. The backs moved the ball well through the hands, and Tabs Raymonde broke the line in the opening exchanges. However, despite sustained pressure inside Folkestone’s 22, Thanet were unable to convert territory into points.

Folkestone capitalised on their opportunities. After absorbing pressure, they broke through and scored under the posts to take an early 7–0 lead.

Thanet continued to battle. Shannon Cook put in some excellent defensive work, forcing turnovers, while Neave Evans controlled territory with tactical kicking. The forwards worked tirelessly at the breakdown, and Thanet won multiple scrums in the opposition 22. Strong carries from Ella Thurman-Newell, Fleur Moat, Flo Smith, and Helen Hollinsworth kept Thanet competitive, but handling errors in difficult conditions proved costly.

Folkestone extended their lead midway through the first half after capitalising on a turnover, making it 12–0. Injuries began to disrupt Thanet’s rhythm, with Shannon Cook forced off and Sophia Richardson stepping in. Despite the setbacks, Thanet continued to defend bravely, repeatedly forcing knock-ons and winning scrum ball against a strong Folkestone pack.

A powerful break from Sophia Richardson just before half time, running from 22 to 22, demonstrated Thanet’s attacking threat, but the hosts held firm. At the break, Folkestone led 17–0.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Thanet showed resilience, with Maria Castellina producing a crucial turnover and the forwards putting in big defensive shifts. Ella Thurman-Newell, Flo Smith, and Fleur Moat carried strongly, and Sophia Richardson continued to look dangerous in open play. However, Folkestone’s clinical finishing and territorial pressure saw them add further tries as the heavy conditions took their toll.

Despite the scoreboard, Thanet never stopped working. Defensive efforts from Emily Williams, Vicky Flower, Kate Chaplin, and the forward pack prevented several further scores, and the scrum remained a competitive platform throughout.

Folkestone added late tries to secure a 34–0 victory, reflecting their league position, but the scoreline did not fully capture Thanet’s effort and determination in extremely challenging conditions.

Full Time: Folkestone 34 – 0 Thanet Wanderers

Forwards Player of the Match: Ella Thurman-Newell – relentless carrying and physical presence throughout.

Backs Player of the Match: Sophia Richardson – powerful running, strong defensive work and a standout break before half time.

A special mention to Zoe Williams, who made her debut for Thanet Wanderers Ladies.

On a tough day against top-of-the-table opposition, there were still positives to take, resilience, scrum dominance at times, and unwavering defensive commitment. The squad will regroup and look ahead to the next challenge.

Photo: Gee Cordell

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties: None

Drop Goals: None