The result left the 3rd XV feeling dejected and frustrated in as far as them knowing they should of won the game if it wasn’t through a 15 minute lapse of concentration at the end of the second half that turned the game on its head.
For the second week running the Lions squad had the luxury of a full bench and even more so due to the fact that Thanet had formally requested additional players for their bench which bolstered our number of substitutes upto a healthy five.

The Thanet squad were , on the whole, of a young age so it was clear their intent was to play an expansive running game, relying on fitness to get the upper hand. The first quarter would see Thanet playing the better rugby. The Lions could not get a foot hold in the game. A number of attacks by the Lions were thwarted by players getting isolated as they tried to match Thanet at their own game by playing expansively with back up arriving late at the ruck so not securing clean ball or resulting in a turnover.It was Thanet who put the first points on the board with a penalty with the Lions infringing at a ruck when a player was deemed to not have realised after the tackle. 3-0 to the Wanderers.

The Lions pack were not getting the supremacy in the scrum although it was deemed we had a combined weight advantage.
One area of the game which the Lions were excelling in was the Lineout. Adopting for the short lineout Jordon Thompson jumping at the front was securing a high percentage of ball on the Lions throw in. One area of Thanet’s game that was being affective were the driving mauls. This was an area that they were obviously well drilled on with a number of occasions gaining significant yardage before the Lions were able to bring the momentum to a standstill.

The Lions were to go further behind when Thanet scored a try. Thanet’s inside centre Number 12 , who was to be a menace all afternoon, took the ball in their 22 and made light work of brushing off a disappointing number of tackles and ran clear up the right hand side to touchdown under the posts . Converted by their number 10. 10-0 to Thanet

This was the wake up call the Lions needed. The team started to get their act together reverting to playing simple rugby with the forwards driving up the centre and ensuring they got clean ball from the ruck to set up another phase of attack by both forwards and backs.The first points to the Lions came from a penalty when Thanet were adjudged to go off their feet at a Ruck. Kirk Williamson with his trusted boot securing the 3 points. 10 -3 to Thanet.

Mitch Halpin playing at 10 was running hard and sucking in Thanet’s defence thus allowing Steve Trice, Matt Downes and Jason Clarke to exploit the gaps. The Lions enjoyed a period of pressure in the Thanet half and through gaining continued yardage set up the first try. From getting clean ball from a ruck the ball went through a couple of hands for Kirk Williamson to run parallel across the Thanet defence and then straighten up to find a gap and cross the line right of the posts. The conversion missed 10-8
The Lions were to score another penalty before the break to take the score to 11-10 to the Lions at half time.

The Lions confidence was growing. Both Teams were infringing at the ruck which gifted each team with gaining ground. Thanet’s Number 10 along with Kirk Williamson playing at 9 for the Lions were kicking to Touch with considerable distance made. The first quarter of the second half was evenly matched with both sides attacking and defending aggressively.The Lions scored another try with the pack combining well as an eight at scrum time. Thanet had taken the ball over their try line which was grounded which give the Lions a 5 metre scrum. The Lions secured the put in and with the ball going to number eight Jordan Thompon at the base of the scrum got the shove on. With the ball being kept at the rear of the scrum the Lions pack continued to drive to the line. Although the scrum began to wheel Jordan picked up the ball at the base of the scrum and crashed over at close quarters to secure the try. The conversion was successful taking the score to 18-10 to the Lions.

Thanet got another penalty to reduce the deficit to 5 points. 18-13 to the Lions. The Lions Restored the 8 point lead with another penalty. 21-13 to the Lions.

Thanet were pressing hard with aggressive attacks but the Lions defence was equal , dogged and stood firm and on a number of occasions were able to clear their lines from either penalties against Thanet for holding on or from turn over ball.
Unfortunately Jason Clarke had to leave the field with an injured foot which was later to be found as a broken Metatarsal. James Campling also suffered a re-occurring strain to his hamstring late in the game The game was entering the final quarter and it looked like It was going to be the Lions day. It was true to say that you must play for 80 mins and this obviously didn’t register with the Lions. What ensued was a period of the Lions losing concentration and allowed the Thanet team to score two converted tries in fairly quick concession taking the score to 27-21. Although the Lions moto is “never say die” and continued to press their effort came to no avail and the score remained 27-21 at the final whistle.

The post match team talk was a somber affair for the Lions knowing for well that the game was theirs for the taking . There were positives to take away. At times there were periods where the Lions played some great rugby and their resolute defence was an area to be pleased about. Special mention goes to Neil Gault and Louis Bentley who put in a great shift in their defensive work.
It’s true to say if you talk about Rugby and especially at this level the game certainly isn’t over until the final whistle is blown. The Lions will learn from this and will have an eagerness to right the wrongs in the coming games and especially their return fixture against Thanet