Maidstone 7 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 12

21st Dec 2024, KO 14:00

Maidstone - Away

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Match Report

Thanet Wanderers RUFC 12- 7 Maidstone RFC

Hard-won victory for the Wanderers in the county town.

In their final match of 2024, Wanderers had to produce another top defensive performance to hang on to an early lead and retain second place in Counties 2 Kent league. Thanet made just one change to the pack that started last week’s fixture against Vigo, with Noah Dann in at loosehead. It was almost all change in the backs with only number 12, Lewis Downer lining up in the same position as in last week’s defeat of Vigo. Regular scrum-half Callum Doody again moved to ten in the absence of joint vice-captain Adam Harrison with brother Leon in at nine. Andrew Dolan played on the right wing with Finley Hickmott, usually a back-row forward, on the other. Joint vice-captain Henry Mirams moved from full-back to outside centre with Ewan Maclean replacing him at fullback.

Wanderers kicked off with a strong breeze at their back and made a dream start. Dolan broke well and handed on to number eight Finn White who made an assured finish. A quality conversion from Downer meant the visitors led 7-0 with two minutes played. A couple of minutes later Maidstone touched down under the posts, at the other end following a strong attack. 7-7 after five minutes, indicated that an open running game could be on the way but it was not to be. Wanderers' attacks were undermined when penalties were conceded including two for crossing. After 23 minutes Callum Doody, whose kicking from hand was excellent throughout the match, set a good attacking position from a penalty. Wanderers line-out generally functioned well today and White was soon ghosting through the home defence to initiate some lovely handling along the line that ended with Maclean scoring his maiden first XV try. No conversion, but the Wanderers led 12-7 with an hour remaining. The remainder of the first period was littered with penalties, particularly for not releasing, which led to a stop-start encounter.

Charlie Bailey left the bench for the second half as Dennis Davies took a break from the second row. Maidstone were marched back another ten metres when comment was passed on the decision for the penalty by today’s referee who made every effort to explain his decisions to the players. Danny Clement and Michael Whitehead joined from the bench to reinforce the Wanderers' defence which was really tested during the second period. It was not the most inspiring fare for the festive period but the Wanderers’ defence again earned plaudits from the limited travelling support. There was no further score and the Wanderers took a hard-earned four points whilst the hosts took a well-earned losing bonus point.

There was a real captain’s performance from hooker Warren Riddell-Bloomfield today, Callum Doody’s kicking from hand was very valuable Wanderers’ and another of Thanet’s growing band of talented youngsters, Dom Springer was Wanderers’ Coaches man of the match after another excellent performance from the young prop-forward both at scrum-time and in the loose.

Wanderers will resume action on the 4th of January 2025 with an away game at Sidcup who remained in fourth place, despite a mauling at the hands of Westcombe Park in their pre-Christmas fixture. Kick-off is at 2 PM and support, as ever, will be welcome.