Thanet Wanderers' poor start to the season continued on Saturday when they lost 39-17 to high-flying Beckenham in the London One South League.

Wanderers got off on the wrong foot, conceding a penalty that was slotted over by Ted Mahutariki with only a couple of minutes gone.

Ryan Campbell's try was then converted to give Beckenham a 10-0 lead, before Wanderers pulled back a penalty.

Mahutariki scored a simple conversion but Thanet soon forced their way over for a converted try to leave the score 10-17 at half time.

Another Mahutariki penalty and an unconverted try from Laurence Headlam after the break increased the gap, and although Wanderers reduced the deficit to 17-25, from there on it was one-way traffic.

The home side's fate was sealed when tries from Peter Thorne and Craig Hulls were converted by Mahutariki to make the final score 17-39.

The defeat was Wanderers' third in four games this season.

The team travel to Surrey this Saturday to face basement side Sutton and Epsom, who have lost all four of their opening games. Kick off at Rugby Lane is at 3pm.

Standings: 1st Tonbridge Juddian, 20pts; 2nd Beckenham, 18pts; 3rd London Irish Amateur; 12th Thanet Wanderers, 4pts.