Cranbrook's inaugural entry into the Papa-john's-community-cup ended in disappointment as a much changed mainly youthful team were no match for a Thanet team near full strength.
With less than half of the team that so memorably beat Crowborough last week starting, it soon became apparent that it could be a difficult afternoon when the first two Cranbrook scrums were comprehensively overturned and penalties against awarded.
The second was kicked to the corner and disappointingly a prop was fed the ball coming round the tail of the lineout to score relatively unimpeded and converted.
Cranbrook now had some pressure as Fabian Rimmer, with a little help from the breeze, executed a 50-22, however the lineout was lost. This was to happen on other occasions which was upsetting as Thanet normally did not challenge on Cranbrook throws.
After another scrum penalty against, Rimmer came close to another 50-22 as a finely judged kick arrowing into touch agonisingly changed direction at the crucial moment, being touched down in goal for a goaline drop out.
After 25 minutes a second try came for Thanet as a nice move on the blind side gave a long striding wing forward room to score. Thanet were now playing with confidence gained from a plentiful ball supply and Cranbrook now had to replace injured debutant wing forward Jack Fowler with Bear Pearce, but the same wing forward scored again for Thanet as he broke off a the back of a rolling maul to score without challenge.
At last Cranbrook now had some play as a long pass allowed the outer backs to progress, Anthony Andrews playing outside centre in particular was strong running and made ground through the game.
Into the second half, where Guy Crouchman came on for Daryl Horton- Judge, some more poor defending allowed a speedy scrum half too much room which he took advantage off to score, another conversion took the score to 0-28.
Cranbrook although at times outclassed were playing with good spirit and another long pass from Rimmer freed Andrews on the left to score after 52 minutes. Soon though, the fleet footed Thanet scrum half escaped again to score his second, again converted.
Now it was the turn of fullback Elliot Barbour to gain a 50-22, all the more remarkable given is was against the slight breeze. From follow up play, when Thanet were penalised, Rimmer made ground from a quickly taken tap penalty to free the supporting prop Tom Humphries to score on the left.
Cranbrook were having more of the play now and commendably managed to stabilise the scrum enough to, with difficulty, get some ball where debutant scrum half Finn Gibson coped admirably. This gave an opportunity for debutant wing Tom Morgan to show his worth, he demonstrated a turn of speed and evasiveness.
With Horton-Judge coming back on for Lock Dan Martin, who had also made his full debut, Cranbrook scored again as Rimmer assessed that as Thanet were looking for another long pass, he was able to pass short to the supporting Crouchman to score comfortably, Rimmer converting.
It was Thanet though that scored 2 more tries to close out the game, as from the kick off a fumble gave them an attacking scrum and a missed tackle provided the opening. To conclude they scored a breakaway try.
This was a well deserved victory for Thanet who just had too much experience for Cranbrook, who nevertheless acquitted themselves well, particularly in the second half, which was commendable as some young players gained some valuable experience. Coach Chris Catt was therefore very pleased with much of what he saw, as a difficult season ended on a positive note.
Finn Gibson was awarded the Biddenden Vineyard man of the match for providing a good service in trying circumstances.
The team was: 1 T Humphreys, 2 J Forknall, 3 M Stockman, 4 J Parkes, 5 D Martin, 6 D Houghton-Judge, 7 J Fowler, 8 L Stone, 9 F Gibson, 10 F Rimmer Captain, 11 D Gibson, 12 C Fowler, 13 A Andrews, 14 T Morgan, 15 E Barbour. Subs B Pearce G Crouchman both used as stated in text.