Aylesford Bulls 31 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 7

15th Feb 2025, KO 14:00

Aylesford Bulls - Away

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

Aylesford RFC 31 – 7 Thanet Wanderers

Wanderers’ downturn continues at Aylesford.

Danny Clement returned to the Thanet front row, replacing Noah Dann, who was unavailable. Charlie Bailey started at eight in place of Ben Cannon, who widened his rugby experience at inside centre. Leon Doody was in for his brother Callum who was imminently due to become a father, at scrum-half. Second Team captain, Tom Stevens again answered the call up and was on one wing and it was good to see Harrison Quittenden back on the other. Aylesford started the match in ninth place and remained there despite today’s win and Wanderers cling on to second place by one point with Old Alleynians 2s hot on their heels.

It was a chilly and grey afternoon but there was no warm welcome for the Wanderers travelling faithful who, with other non-lunchers, were excluded from the clubhouse prior to the match.

Wanderers kicked off and there was good handling from both sides in the opening minutes. Quittenden’s tackle stopped one Bulls’ attack near the line but after ten minutes the hosts were playing with a penalty advantage near Thanet’s 22. A speculative chip through was not dealt with and Wanderers paid the price, 5-0 to the hosts as the conversion was dragged left. Lenny Brown joined from the bench due to Clement’s blood injury and the Bulls were called back for a forward pass as they touched down. However, their second try was not long coming and again a well-judged chip was gathered for a touchdown wide right. An excellent conversion from near the touchline followed to make it 12-0 after 22 minutes. A good tackle from Andrew Dolan halted a promising attack for the Bulls. Doody made a sharp break before being swallowed up and Thanet were looking promising. An attack broke down and a lone Bull was sharp to make a turnover and aim for Wanderers try line from his own 22. He was almost there but Cannon tracked back at speed to make a try saving tackle and ensure there was no change in the score at halftime two minutes later.

Words from the Coaches had the desired result and there was a clear improvement from Thanet at the beginning of the second period. Finley Hickmott was soon joined by Lenny Brown and Mike Whitehead as the bench was emptied. A series of attacks on our left with Andy Letts prominent promised much but were halted by good home defence before with eight minutes of the half the team recovered well from a poor line-out. An excellent break by James Crompton took him almost to the line before being brought down and a long pass then took defenders out and gave Hickmott a clear run to touch down. Quittenden made a fine conversion from near touch and Wanderers were back in the game at 12-7. They continued to press and were attacking in midfield near the opposition's 22 when Aylesford intercepted and were off to the line. Quittenden closed before the line was reached but a lobbed pass brought a try under the posts and seven points to regain a twelve-point lead. There was a good battle for the next important score before it went to the home side. Wanderers were again undone by a chip through with a neat pick-up and a touch down under the posts. 26-7 and a try bonus point for the Bulls. A fifth try came five minutes later after a Bull stepped inside a couple of tackles to score a fifth try that was not converted. Around ten minutes remained and Thanet returned to the attack. A potential try was deemed to have been held up and they could find no way through during a prolonged attack on Aylesford’s right flank. The hosts were happy to find touch and end proceedings at the end of a satisfying and deserved win for them. Wanderers will be disappointed not to have played to their full potential and to leave pointless.

One Wanderer who did play to his usual high standards was back-row forward, James Crompton who will depart shortly for a holiday in Australia. James has played in all of the first-team games this season bar one when absent due to injury. He graduated in economics with a first-class honours degree from Loughborough University last year and will commence a career with one of the leading banks on his return from travelling.

No game for the first XV again next week they will return to action on the 1st of March when Westcombe Park are the visitors for a 3 PM kick-off.

Next Friday evening the Vets will entertain Sittingbourne under lights with a 7.30 kick-off in a decider to see who will progress to finals day in the Spitfire Trophy.

On Saturday the 2s will entertain Bromley 2s in the second round of the Kent trophy and the 3s are also at home in a rearranged league fixture against Leigh. Both will kick off at 2 PM.