TWRUFC Ladies 1st XV 22 vs Ashford 10

16th Feb 2025, KO 14:00

Ashford - Home

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

Photos: Ade Davies

Last Home Game of the Season

This was a highly anticipated match, with Thanet sitting second in the league and Ashford close behind in third. With a large crowd gathered, the Thanet Under 10s created a fantastic atmosphere, forming a guard of honour to welcome the teams onto the pitch with claps and cheers. The weather was biting — cold, with the temperature dropping further as the game went on, the ground was firm, offering a faster-paced game than the recent muddy conditions. The players were riled up and ready to give everything.

First Half:
Ashford kicked off and immediately put Thanet under pressure with a strong attacking drive. After a scrum to Ashford, Thanet’s Captain Gee Cordell, made an excellent tackle to stop the initial break, but Ashford retained possession, working the ball wide and breaking through tackles. They looked certain to score, but a dropped ball over the try line gave Thanet a lifeline with a defensive scrum. Thanet won the ball, and drove forward well, but a penalty to Ashford gave them the advantage. Taking it quickly, Ashford surged forward and dove over the line just five minutes in. The conversion was missed, putting the visitors ahead 0-5.

Thanet restarted, regathered possession, and began to build their own pressure. Gee Cordell broke through tackles before Ashford turned the ball over, only for it to be stolen back by Thanet. The ball moved swiftly through hands to Georgia Elks, who made good ground before Thanet won a penalty. A quick pass to the forwards saw them drive toward the try line, but the ball was held up.

Thanet kept the pressure on, winning the lineout and pushing forward. A strong team move saw the ball go through every Thanet hand, creating an overlap on the right. The ball found its way to Holly Thurman-Newell, who dived over in the corner for Thanet’s first try. The conversion went just wide, levelling the score at 5-5.

Ashford restarted, but their kick failed to go 10 metres, giving Thanet a scrum on halfway. Thanet moved the ball well, with Chloe Siddall kicking ahead, forcing Ashford to regroup with a lineout. Thanet’s defensive pressure forced a turnover, and after 20 minutes of sustained attack deep in Ashford’s half, Gee Cordell broke through to score under the posts, putting Thanet ahead for the first time. Alexandra White stepped up and slotted the conversion, making it 12-5.

The remainder of the half saw both teams battle fiercely, with Thanet holding off Ashford’s counterattacks through solid tackling and ruck work. Despite numerous close calls, Thanet maintained their defensive wall until the halftime whistle.

Halftime Score: Thanet 12 - Ashford 5

No changes were made at halftime, with Thanet knowing they had to “put this game to bed.”

Second Half:
Thanet restarted, but Ashford came out firing, with a sustained attack that eventually broke the gain line. A dropped pass, however, gave Thanet a scrum, allowing them to clear their lines.

The game became scrappy, with turnovers from both sides. Ashford kicked deep into Thanet’s try area, and instead of grounding the ball for a 22m dropout, Thanet kicked it out, allowing Ashford to capitalise. With momentum on their side, Ashford picked up the loose ball and continued their attack, eventually scoring in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Ashford had closed the gap to 12-10.

Thanet restarted, quickly applying pressure. After a scrum, Thanet regained possession and worked the ball well through hands, with Izzy Lodge breaking through to score a fantastic try, stretching the lead to 17-10.

As the clock ticked on, Thanet knew they needed one more score to seal the win. Ashford’s defence was relentless, but Thanet’s forward pack took control, dominating the rucks and scrums. A quick ball out to Rachael Austerberry saw her sprint half the length of the pitch, only to be forced into touch just short of the line.

From the resulting lineout, Thanet moved the ball back across the field. Holly Thurman-Newell once again found herself with space, driving through tackles to score her second try of the match in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Thanet now led 22-10 with little time left on the clock.

Ashford threw everything they had at Thanet in the dying minutes, but the defensive line held firm. The forwards were exceptional, with strong rucking and intelligent play around the breakdowns, securing a well-earned victory.

Final Score: Thanet 22 - Ashford 10

It was a tough game, but Thanet showed grit and determination to come out on top. Every time these two sides meet, the scoreline gets closer and closer, and this match was no exception. Thanet had to work hard for the win, and the scoreline didn’t fully reflect how tight the contest was.

Forward of the Match: Hollie Callaghan — for her outstanding work at every breakdown and consistent improvement week after week. She was unlucky not to get a try herself.
Back of the Match: Lia Armstrong — a true star player who just gets on with her job and consistently shines on the field.

Thanet Women’s 1XV last home game of the season ended with a statement win against third placed Ashford, setting up an exciting finish to the campaign!