Whitstable 1st XV continued their impressive start to the 2024/25 season with a dominant third consecutive victory, securing maximum points from their opening three matches.

As in the previous two games, Whitstable opened the scoring within the first five minutes. Captain Ben Cliff intercepted a pass from the Old Gs fly-half, running 40 meters unchallenged to score under the posts, giving fly-half Huey an easy conversion.

Following the kickoff, a Whitstable knock-on gave Old Gs a scrum in Whitstable's half, but a handling error from the Old Gs prop allowed Huey to collect the loose ball and clear. Pressure from the Whitstable chasers forced a poor clearance from the Old Gs fullback, and flanker Garry Drew's return put Whitstable in an attacking position 35 meters out. After a few phases, Huey slipped Rob Hudson through a gap to score, with another successful conversion putting Whitstable 14-0 up within eight minutes.

Old Gs contested their own kickoff, but another handling error was capitalised on by Cliff, who freed winger Will Reid down the touchline. Reid cut inside under pressure and passed to the onrushing James Garland, who finished the move. Huey converted again, bringing the score to 21-0 with just 10 minutes played.

Old Gs finally responded after winning possession from the next kickoff and earning a penalty for Whitstable being offside. From the resulting lineout, a series of penalties allowed Old Gs to establish a maul and score in the corner. The Old Gs fly-half added the conversion.

The game then seesawed until an Old Gs handling error gave Whitstable a prime attacking opportunity. Winger Terry Bastable advanced up the wing but was tackled into touch. From the ensuing lineout, veteran flanker Drew pounced on a loose ball to score in the corner. Huey converted again, making it 28-7.

Whitstable then gave away another penalty for offside, but their defense held firm as they sacked the Old Gs lineout and earned a penalty of their own, allowing Huey to clear up to halfway. After winning their lineout, Whitstable worked through their phases, and Huey linked up with Cliff down the touchline. Cliff’s inside pass to Reid was deliberately knocked on by an Old Gs player, leading to a penalty. Huey’s kick to touch set up a lineout just 8 meters out, and after strong forward play, number 8 Ben House powered over in the corner. Huey’s conversion extended the lead to 35-7 with five minutes remaining in the half.

Whitstable continued to attack, bringing the play up to the Old Gs 22. Replacement center Michael Hardy was tackled into touch, but Whitstable stole the lineout, and Adam Rosan broke through before his pass was gathered by Ben House, who was stopped 2 meters short. A quick pass from scrum-half Sutcliffe found Cliff, who scored his second of the game. Huey converted to bring the halftime score to 42-7.

The second half saw a more defensive display from Whitstable, as they spent 25 minutes repelling Old Gs attacks and managing penalties. Despite mounting pressure, Whitstable's defense remained solid, frustrating their opponents.

In the final 10 minutes, Whitstable added three more tries. Hardy scored the first after a break by replacement winger Luke Quinney, who was hauled down on the Old Gs 10-meter line. Quick recycling from Sutcliffe and an overlap created by Huey sent Hardy through, and after a close call near the line, Hardy picked up and finished the move himself. The conversion drifted wide.

Quinney was again involved in the next try, finishing a sweeping team move. Whitstable spread the ball from left to right, and Quinney turned his defender to race 50 meters down the touchline to score. The conversion missed, leaving the score at 52-7.

The final try was a flashback to earlier days. Old Gs kicked deep to Churchyard, who took the ball well and set up a ruck. Whitstable moved the ball wide through Huey and Hardy, who carried it to the opposition's 22-meter line. In a vintage combination, Huey and Cliff linked up, with Huey sending Cliff through for his hat-trick, sealing a man-of-the-match performance sponsored by The Ship Centurion. Huey added the conversion for a final score of 59-7.

It was another commanding performance from Whitstable, making it three wins from three and securing 15 points, positioning them second in Kent Counties 3.