TWRUFC Ladies 1st XV 12 vs Sevenoaks 31

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

After a final pitch inspection, the 1st XV pitch was declared fit, allowing Thanet Wanderers Ladies 1XV to play their first home game of 2026 on a cold but welcome Sunday afternoon.

Sevenoaks kicked off, but Thanet wasted no time making their intentions clear. Strong early pressure forced an opposition infringement, giving Thanet a penalty. From the tap-and-go, slick hands and excellent support play moved the ball wide before Neave Evans broke through the gain line and powered her way from over halfway to score under the posts. The conversion kick was successful giving Thanet the perfect start.

Sevenoaks responded with sustained pressure, working hard through multiple phases and eventually finding space out wide to score and level the contest. The visitors continued to test Thanet’s defence, and despite strong tackling and some key turnovers, they managed to cross again before the break, including a score in the corner. With conversions added, Sevenoaks went into halftime 26 - 7 ahead.

Thanet made several changes at the interval and came out with renewed energy in the second half. A dominant spell of possession followed, with excellent work at the breakdown and quick penalties keeping the momentum alive. The pressure paid off when Neave Evans finished brilliantly in the corner after a flowing move involving multiple phases and strong carries from the forwards. The conversion attempt narrowly missed, but Thanet were back in the game at 26 - 12.

Photos: Rebecca Hewitt

The match remained intense and physical, with both sides trading territory and possession. Thanet continued to show resilience, particularly in defence, with standout tackles and determined efforts to halt Sevenoaks’ attacking momentum. Despite this, the visitors capitalised on penalties and overlaps late in the game, adding further tries to extend their lead.

The match ended with a 31 - 12 win for Sevenoaks, but there were many positives to take for Thanet Wanderers Ladies, particularly in their attacking intent, work rate, and commitment across the full 80 minutes.

Forward of the Match: Helen Hollinsworth - a huge performance, loud and vocal from the warm-up through to the final whistle.

Back of the Match: Maria Castellina - tireless throughout, controlling the game and putting in a real shift.

Debuts: Lila Ovington, Flo Smith and Kate Johnson - congratulations on earning your first caps in Thanet colours.

A challenging fixture against strong opposition, but a proud home performance to build on as the season continues.

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties: None

Drop Goals: None