Sidcup 5 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 18

4th Jan 2025, KO 14:00

Sidcup - Away

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

SIDCUP RFC 5-18 THANET WANDERERS RUFC

Wanderers make a good start to 2025 in Counties 2 Kent league and remain in second place.

For Thanet, Danny Clement started at loosehead with fellow Vet Andy Letts in the second row. Charlie Bailey partnered him in the engine room with Dom Springer at tight-head. Joint vice-captain Adam Harrison was back at Ten with Louis Marshall at inside centre in place of the injured Lewis Downer. Charlie Panteli, who usually plays at Ten, was at full-back and flank forward Finley Hickmott continued on the left wing in a re-jigged backline. After today’s league matches Wanderers hold on to second place but Sidcup slipped a place to fifth but with a game in hand.

The pitch was sticky but playable and the weather was not as fearsome as forecast. Wanderers kicked off on a still afternoon and the hosts were soon scrambling to plug holes in their defence. After four minutes, Wanderers went ahead when Finn White led an onslaught that ended with him scoring under the posts. The conversion attempt was charged down but Thanet led 5-0. The hosts quickly responded and Harrison’s long clearance to halfway eased some Sidcup pressure. Five minutes later Harrison again sent a penalty to 22 metres out and the line out that followed ended with a spectacular drive from Wanderers’ pack that snaked its way to the line before White again claimed the touchdown. Panteli’s conversion was good to make it 12-0 and he added another three points when converting a penalty attempt minutes late for a 15-0 lead. Harrison demonstrated some soccer skills as he led a dribble deep into the opposition half but the move ended with Wanderers conceding a penalty. Charlie Bailey was having a dominant day at the line-outs and was moving well in the loose. Henry Mirams’ tackle ended a dangerous break-out and Andy Letts was also soon showing his tackling prowess. Thanet interfered at a line-out allowing the hosts to set good field position and mount an end-of-half attack but Wanderers stood firm. White led another attack to end the siege but Wanderers were again penalised when in a good attacking position. The hosts put the ball out of play to end a good opening half for the Wanderers.

Gil Smith made a very satisfactory First XV debut after leaving the bench to replace Clement for the second half. Thanet started the second well but were penalised for crossing and Dennis Davies replaced Letts in the second row, After an unsuccessful attempt from near the 10-metre line, just a few minutes later from around 24 metres, Panteli put Wanderers 18-0 ahead. With around a quarter of the game remaining Sidcup made the most of two penalties to set good attacking positions and Wanderers were forced to scramble to touch down in the in-goal area. Captain Warren Riddell-Bloomfield at hooker, with flank forwards James Crompton and Brett Scott needed all their experience in the battle to keep their line intact. The hosts were determined not to leave pointless and showed great resilience as they battered away at Wanderers hard tackling defence and with minutes remaining a little chip through was touched down in the corner. There was no conversion and no further points were added so the final score was a win for Wanderers by 18-5.

Wanderers’ Coaches can be happy with this performance with preparation time severely curtailed by the Christmas and New Year break. Callum Doody and Adam Harrison’s half-back partnership continues to blossom and it’s great to see Andy Dolan returning to good form. Sadly there was only a brief glimpse of Sonny Teall from the bench before he had to withdraw with a tweaked hamstring. Louis Marshall also again sustained injury and had to withdraw early. Skipper Warren Riddell Bloomfield has worked hard on his throwing in to the lineout after moving from the back row to play at hooker. His partnership with young second-row Charlie Bailey is flourishing and paying dividends in terms of possession. Charlie had a top game today and was a popular choice as Wanderers’ man of the match after another fine game.

Next week, the Wanderers are at home to Dartford Valley, with whom they played out a 12-12 draw on their artificial pitch in October. Dartford have won just one game this season and are currently bottom of the league, but Wanderers are well aware that there are no easy fixtures in this league and will play accordingly. Your support will be welcome for the 2 p.m. kickoff.