Result and Report

Report

TWRUFC U14s match report vs Folkestone Sunday 10th March 2019

Thanet Wanderers u14s faced local rivals Folkestone at home on Sunday in very blowy conditions with gusts up to 50 mph making for an interesting morning of rugby. The decision was made to try and keep the ball in hand as much of possible and not to use the kick and chase game which had worked well for Thanet in the previous weeks,

Thanet started well kicking off uphill and into the wind, aware that Folkestone had a quick set of backs the Thanet backs pressed well in defence causing Folkestone to drop the ball several times, 3 minutes into the game and a bit of Déjà vu from last week and Folkestone suffered and injury to their prop. Immediately Ollie J volunteered to play for the opposition again for the second week running. Thanet however dominated the early stages of play with the forwards aggression winning several good balls from the rucks.

4 mins in and Josh OD took a good ball from just inside his own half and some good strong and determined running beating several Folkestone defenders he raced through to score the open try out wide. The wind making the conversation very difficult for fly half Harrison Q. Thanet attacked again from the kick off with a great take from Sam M making good ground before being tackled inside the Folkestone half. Folkestone then worked well from their own half scoring on 8 minutes and again the wind causing the Folkestone kicker some problems. Moments later the message came from the clubhouse that trees were coming down in the car park, but the parents and coaches were so enthralled with the game, the cars were left and fingers were crossed,

The next 10 minutes both sides attacked with flourish and often the final pass just going astray due to the conditions before Inside centre and Captain James P carried on where he left off last week and broke several Folkestone tackles before crossing the line. Thanet turning around 10 – 5 up at half time.

The half time team talk was positive after winning the first half in the worst of the conditions, changes were made to the side at half time bringing on some fresh legs with the finishers hoping to make the most of the better 2nd half conditions. Folkestone had suffered a couple more injuries, so Luke D and Flynn S volunteered to start the second half for Folkestone to keep the numbers even relieving Ollie J and Joes S both of whom had played their part for Folkestone. Playing with the wind behind them now Thanet continued to attack with some strong running from forwards Dennis D , Josh J and Sam M, before POW Beau T made a powerful run through the middle from No 8 breaking several tackles to score the 1st try of the second half out wide on the left hand side. Fly half Harrison Q enjoying kicking with the wind converted well from the touch line to the jubilation of the team and coaches.

Next up Max R took advantage of a quick penalty from our 22 Owen J releasing Oskar W for another mazy run, good support from Max R and a nice off load from Oskar saw max beat the last 3 defenders to score under the posts again converted by Harrison Q. Thanet eased of the pressure for a few minutes allowing the Folkestone 12 to break a few tackles and score under the post. 24 to 12 to Thanet with 13 minutes left to play. Thanet woke back up and started putting the pressure back on Folkestone a good box kick by scrum half Owen J was punished by the strong winds resulting in a scrum back in the Thanet half however a good turn over from the ensuing ruck lead to a great break from Owen J who feed back inside Beau T in support before Owen J piled over in the corner for Thanet̢۪s final try. Folkestone then suffered another injury, so POW Beau T offered to play the last few minutes for the opposition.

Beau T proving his POW status then made a great break against Thanet before offloading to a supporting Folkestone player to score under the posts. Final score 29 to 19 to Thanet. The parents and coaches very proud of how the boys stuck to their guns in the conditions and continued their current winning streak which bodes well for the Kent Bowl Final in 3 weeks.

Special mention must go to the Thanet Players who without their sportsmanship the game would have been reduced to a 10 or 11 aside game and not so much fun: Ollie J, Joe S, Flynn S, Luke D, Josh J, Farzaam Y and finally POW Beau T.

Team: - Ralph H, Rhys T, Dennis D, Josh J, Sam M, Flynn S, Oz W, Beau T, Owen J, Harrison Q, James P (Capt.) Patrick S, Luke D, Josh O’D and Farzaam Y – Finishers Max R, Charlie W, Josh L, Jack G, Zach W & Ollie J

J.Deacon Head Coach