Dartford Valley 12 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 12

12th Oct 2024, KO 15:00

Dartford Valley - Away

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

Dartford Valley RFC 12 – 12 Thanet Wanderers RUFC

Wanderers’ defence secures a draw after a patchy display on the 3G pitch at Dartford Valley.

There were six changes to the Thanet side that had played well in their last game against Sidcup. Andy Letts returned to the second row where he was partnered by debutant Charlie Bailey. Tom O’Callaghan travelled to return at scrum-half but after Cam Beck was injured at training on Thursday the backs were reshuffled with Louis Marshall playing outside centre. Vice-Captain, Henry Mirams, was working and Callum Doody again proved his versatility by stepping in at full-back. Harrison Quittenden returned to the starting XV and it was good to see fellow speedster, Andrew Dolan back on the other wing for his first game since January.

Wanderers were quick to follow up their kick-off and put pressure on the catcher. Two penalties against the hosts saw the pressure maintained and a further penalty set a good attacking position. Joint Vice-Captain, Adam Harrison, passed up an easy three points and took the tap penalty before passing over the top and opened up the defence for Louis Marshall to power over for the opening try after ten minutes. The wind was strengthening and caused Lewis Downer’s conversion attempt to fall just short but Thanet led, 5-0. Wanderers number 6. James Crompton was an early casualty with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Finley Hickmott.

Penalty numbers continued to mount for both sides, and Harrison made good use to clear Wanderers’ lines. A terrific tackle from open-side, Sam Taylor, caused a loose ball around 20 metres out which loose-head, Ben Cannon seized and brushed off attempted tackles before touching down close to the posts. Lewis Downer added the extras and opened up a 12-0 lead for the Wanderers. They had dominated the opening quarter of the game but now good pressure from the home side and a smart switch of the point of attack brought them a try. No conversion made it 12-5. Wanderers' influential open-side Sam Taylor now had to leave the pitch with the recurrence of an injury to a knee. Dom Springer replaced him in a much-reshuffled pack. On the cusp of half-time, Ben Cannon, who appeared to be as much sinned against as a sinner, found himself the sole recipient of a yellow card after a sudden flurry of handbags.

Rain had set in towards the end of the first half and conditions were miserable at best. Playing with fourteen men, Wanderers’ defence was busy, but up to the task. Andy Letts became the second Wanderer to be shown yellow shortly before Cannon’s return. Six minutes later strong Dartford pressure brought them a second try, which was converted, to level the scores at 12 all. Wanderers’ captain, Warren Riddell-Bloomfield, was playing at hooker today, rather than in his usual back-row berth, but in another excellent defensive display he excelled and led his team by fine example. Callum Doody who was also out of his usual scrum half role to play at full-back used his boot well as he sought to ease the continuing home pressure. Teenager, Charlie Bailey had played with growing confidence on his debut but now became the third Wanderer to enter the referee’s notebook. Sam Taylor returned despite clearly still struggling with injury. Four minutes later, sadly Andrew Dolan was forced to withdraw from the struggle with injury and Leon Doody replaced him. With about ten minutes remaining, Thanet were finally back to full numbers in the second half and mounted some promising attacks but the final whistle sounded with the scores still level at 12-12.

Wanderers' defence was again outstanding with another top performance from Number Eight, Brett Scott. Tighthead, Michael Whitehead put in an excellent full shift and Ben Cannon goes from strength to strength on the other side of the front row. Lewis Downer defended brilliantly at inside centre and was a regular threat with the ball in hand; he was the Coaches’ choice as Thanet’s man of the match

Next Saturday, the 19th of October, Medway are the visitors to St Peters for a 3 PM Kick Off. They are currently in fifth place whilst Wanderers remain in second after previously unbeaten Elthamians lost on Saturday. The game will be preceded by a lunch in the clubhouse where a much loved and respected Wanderer, Colin Brown, who succumbed to Prostate Cancer at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be remembered. Funds will be raised for prostate cancer research at the lunch. Tickets are £25, please confirm reservations with Kelly.