Horsham march on in the cup

Horsham travelled to Broadstairs to face Thanet Wanderers for the second time in two weeks seeking to put the league reversal between these two sides to rights in the third round of the RFU Intermediate cup. Despite a number of changes enforced due to injuries and unavailability, the pack in particular had a familiar feel about whilst the backs welcomed Max Wilson in for his debut.

With a below par performance in the previous meeting, the motivation to deliver a better performance was significant and the early exchanges saw this intent from a Horsham side playing with pace and power which was stretching the Thanet defence. This paid off with pressure resulting in two penalties in the first 7 minutes, one of which was converted by Will Bell to deliver an early lead.

Playing with increasing confidence and the Horsham runners sucking in the midfield defence, the first try followed on 8 minutes when the attack was switched to the blind side and quick hands saw Matt McCabe put Max Wilson into space who with two defenders to beat powered through the attempted tackles to score a fine debut try which went unconverted. 8-0 to the visitors.

Thanet began to stir and following some play in the Horsham half, the pressure was relieved through good work at the breakdown by Arun Thompson forcing a penalty which was kicked to the opposition 10m line. With the set up plays executed efficiently, James Johnson once again switched the play through the use of a delicate blind side kick to see Mike Watts win the race to the ball and touch down for a 13-0 lead. A difficult kick similarly went unconverted.

On 31 mins a well-executed catch and drive maul saw Ollie Harcus break off and power through to score Horsham’s 3rd try which again went unconverted – 18-0

Horsham were now playing confident attacking rugby with fine offloads to the fore. Johnny Ordidge was creating havoc on every carry setting targets for the effervescent back row of Thompson, Nick Bell and Andy Gray to continue the attacks. The backs were relishing the space created and looked dangerous with every attack. On 35 mins, another strong run by Ordidge saw the line broken and a simple 2v1 pass execute to see Thompson score the first of his brace under the posts for a try converted by Will Bell – 25-0

Four minutes later, a strong scrum on the Thanet 5m line saw Gray carry forward and quick recycled ball saw Thompson stride through the defence to score a try converted by Will Bell – 32-0

In stoppage time, Horsham suffered their first lapses of concentration and several penalties conceded for offside saw the Thanet scrum half take several tap penalties to pop to his supporting forwards to score a converted try on the stroke of half time – 7-32

This was followed by 10 minutes of Thanet on the ascendancy as their impressive team spirit sought to rescue something from the game. Taking advantage of the strong wind in the same way that Horsham had done in the 1st half, a second try followed on 53 minutes leaving the score 32-12.

Horsham upped the tempo against the wind in order to recover the initiative and get the game back on track. A try on 60 minutes by Andy Carvell making his long overdue return to action took the pop pass off yet another Ordidge break. The try was converted by Will Bell leaving the score 39-12.

Thanet scored a fine first phase try orchestrated by their veteran fly half Peter Macaulay but for the final ten minutes, Horsham were rampant, repeatedly running the ball back at the Thanet defence from kicks aimed at relieving the pressure on the Thanet line. During this period, Gray and Thompson were particularly prominent and only last gasp tackles or handling errors prevented further scores. Nevertheless, McCabe fielded several kicks and released Will Bell to score an excellent counter attacking try and subsequently convert on 78 minutes leaving the score 46-17. Two minutes later, a multi-phase attack was well finished by Gray with the conversion in front of the post a formality for Will Bell leaving the final score 53-17

An altogether more dynamic performance from Horsham who played with pace and power throughout. Combined with a solid set piece and great continuity, Horsham progress to the regional quarter finals and will look to replicate the cup form in the next league fixture away to Sevenoaks.