Old Alleynians 24 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 25

26th Oct 2024, KO 15:00

Old Alleynians - Away

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

OLD ALLEYNIANS 24 THANET WANDERERS 25

This was a hard fought game with neither side able to sustain a period of consistent possession throughout. The home side were quick to start with an early try. Thanet responded from the restart and were soon deep in the opposition’s 22 and driving towards the line when they were awarded a penalty try as Alleynians were deemed to have pulled the maul down. Alleynians were also reduced to 14 men as they received a yellow card for the infringement which took Thanet into the lead after 6 minutes. 5-7. Although unable to capitalise on the extra man for the 10 minutes, Thanet did make a couple of breaks for the line and were also held up once. As Thanet continued to apply pressure. a charge down in the nineteenth minute saw Thanet extend the lead with their second try of the game from Dennis Davies.

Alleynians then enjoyed a period of possession but were unable to make this count with the visitors staying solid in defence and at one point returning down the path to again be held up across the line. Just before the half time whistle, Alleynians made a quick break up the field and, with good handling, scored a converted try, to even the scores at 12 all.

The hosts started the second half quickly and drove Thanet off the ball to score a try within 2 minutes of the restart and lead 17-12 as it was not converted. Thanet then maintained some possession and completed a move up the pitch to score another try by Finley Hickmott and draw level again at 17-17. The last half hour of the match was set up to be a tight contest with both teams striving for the win and a possible bonus point.

Alleynians were the first to break the deadlock with a try under the posts that was easily converted after 55 minutes 24-17. There was then a period of a midfield battle with Wanderers trying to keep possession and the home team determined to maintain the lead. On 66 minutes a penalty from Lewis Downer made it 24-20 but it took until the 74th minute for them to break the line again as Downer grounded the ball for the bonus point try. Although Alleynians pushed hard in the last minutes of the game they were unable to pierce Wanderers’ defence. Thanet took 5 league points from a hard fought game with both sides contributing to a well played match.

Wanderers Coaches’ choice as their man of the match was Finley Hickmott who has broken into the first XV this season and continued his excellent start with a try and another good all round performance in the back row. There is no match or the first XV this coming Saturday; they will return to league action with a home fixture against Aylesford Bulls on the 9th of November when the kick off time will be at the new time of 2PM.

Written by Carmen Glover