Wesley Eversley catches for a touchdown. Pic: Alan Vant

Kent Exiles 12 Hampshire Thunder 50

Head coach Tony Bainbridge is determined Exiles will end their regular season on a high, after Saturday’s collapse saw his side suffer a thumping defeat in their final home match of 2012.

Missing several key players, as the effects of five games in five weeks took its toll, Exiles began remarkably well and trailed by a single score at half-time.

However, Thunder moved through the gears after the interval to inflict a fourth defeat in five on Exiles, who now sit a lowly seventh in Division One Central & South.

But with trips to bottom and top sides Essex Spartans and Berkshire Renegades respectively to come before the regular campaign closes next month, Bainbridge is determined to finish with a bang.

He said: “It was another tough game against a table-topping team that we held our own in for a half.

“We need to get over our knocks and bruises quickly now and use our two-week break to prepare for our final two games of the season and make sure we end the year on a high.”

After an early Thunder score Exiles thought they had drawn level when Zac Ritchie threw to Sam Johnson – playing his first game of the season after returning from Northumbria University – and the wideout broke a tackle and outpaced the defence, but a penalty wiped the score off the board.

However, the setback was only temporary as Ritchie found Colin Chislett and then Johnson again to move them within touching distance of the endzone, before Jon Miller caught the touchdown.

Thunder pulled ahead on their next drive, but Exiles came straight back once again.

Ben Abbott continued his good form by finding some running room and Ritchie found the reliable Chislett and Miller, before Wesley Eversley jumped in between three defenders to pull in the touchdown and bring the score level.

One more Thunder score as the half ran out gave them a narrow lead.

The second half was a different story though, as the Thunder defence started to get on top and force turnovers, which resulted in quick scoring without reply and before long the game was out of reach.