Match Report courtesy of Mike Rigby

Today was always going to be a special day as it was the last time that Mike Doherty was going to be pulling on the TWRFC 1st team shirt. After making his 1st XV debut in 2007 and being captain from 2020 to 2022 he has over 250 games under his belt.

However, today’s visitors were not here to join Mike’s celebration, they were at St Marks to take maximum points and move themselves away from the bottom of the table. OA’s have played 4 of the top 5 teams and suffered losses, they have yet to have the pleasure of Jersey. They have also recently lost to Maidenhead and beat Bracknell last week (7-24), who of course we play next week. So on paper this looked like it should be a close game.

Tunbridge Wells took to the field, giving Mike Doherty a guard of honour, and chose to kick off away from the clubhouse with the slope favouring them.

Any thoughts of this being a celebratory run out were soon dashed when OA’s started with a thirst that was not to relent. OA’s carried hard with a number of pick and go’s, when we did get our hands on the ball a kick by Scully went straight to touch and resulted in a OA’s line out just outside our 22. After some good tackles, Purnell with a particularly good chop, OA’s were over in the corner. After a poor conversion attempt the visitors took the lead 0-5.

The lead was short lived though as Thompson put his kick off into Whale’s hands and Wells were moving forward. A line out on their 5 saw a lovely set play move to get Purnell over for Thompson to convert. 7-5. The scrum was starting to look quite strong for the home team and after a second penalty Thompson took the points on offer for 10-5.

Wells were in the ascendancy and took a lovely score in open play: Mike Doherty broke the line, releasing his brother in the offload, who then delivered Hobbs into open space: Try for TW. After the Conversion hit the post we opened up a gap 15-5. The gap was to widen after what seemed like a few scrum pens in the OA’s 22, but the Wells back line delivered quick ball to Smith to go over in the corner. 20-5. It Looked like a solid half for the home side until we let a poor score in on the last play. 20-10 at half time. Was it enough of a gap against resilient opposition?

As was feared OA’s came out refreshed from their half time chat and had quite quickly put a score on the board to get within striking distance 20-17. Wells tried to extend after a scrum pen on the OA’s 22m line but hit the post for a second time. The Wells front 3 of Landbeck, Purnell and Waghorne were enjoying their dominance.

But OA’s strike again whilst Wells were down to 14 (Smith YC) to open up a 20-24 lead.

The home crowd, of circa 200, were getting edgy but surely there was a hero in the Blue and White to find the score we needed? After another TW scrum pen, we tap and go quickly (3 points is no good now) but after another penalty we chose a scrum to see if we could get a shove on or force the yellow. But Wells surprised the oppo by going quick off the back as Whale picks and goes blind to release Mike Doherty to go over and get the try. The hero of the moment had been found and the magic of this being his last game. Surely OA’s would not ruin this picture perfect retirement party?

They tried but to no avail after another scrum penalty we decided to take a shot at goal. As time was up a rather surprising choice of goal kicker, our hero Mr Mike Doherty steps forward……. Surely not? He was 7 meters from the left touchline? Correct, he did as instructed: Booted it so long the ball will never be found and as the referee blew his final whistle the score was 25-24.

What a thriller. We are back and playing better. Next week we head to Bracknell to carry on the charge. Well played to all the Coaches, Players and supporters.

Chapel Down Man of the Match: Mike Doherty.

#COYW