Folkestone lose in the Senior Vase at Dartfordians.

RFU SENIOR VASE 2nd Round.

Saturday 8th October. Report by Andy Dagger
Following a closely contested league game earlier in the season everyone was looking forward to this rematch in the Senior Vase.
This was certainly a game of two halves and Folkestone took the first 40 minutes to get their act together following two late changes to the starting fifteen and two early injuries resulting in replacements coming on within the first 20 minutes.
Dartfordians opened the scoring following a lineout 10 metres from the Folkestone try line and with good ball cut a line through the Folkestone defence to the try line. 5-0.
Folkestone came back well and following a good spell in the Dartfordians half an unforced error led to the speedy Dartfordians backs breaking away to score under the posts and with the conversion an early lead of 12-0.
Dartfordian’s pack continued to press and with too many first tackles not being completed scored again from a lineout to make it 17-0 after eleven minutes.
With Steve Doughty and Richard Dagger having to be replaced by Scotty Stewart and Ross Johnson making his first team debut the visiting spectators feared the worse. Folkestone slowly started to compete up front and with ball in hand started to make inroads into the home team’s defence and only conceded one further score before halftime, a penalty for a scrummaging offence which was somewhat disappointing as the home team’s pack was being put under pressure. 20-0.
Following the half time break Folkestone came out with renewed vigour and started to knock the Dartfordian players back in the tackle and also put them under pressure in the scrummage. Unfortunately the referee penalised the Folkestone front row again for a binding offence to give the home team a 23-0 lead.
However straight after the restart some great lineout ball from Chris Petley led to centre Ross Dempsey crashing through the home defence to score under the posts and start the Folkestone revival with Jon morton adding the conversion. 23-7. With confidence high Folkestone started to play some really attractive open rugby and when the Dartfordians number six was given a yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown Folkestone took full advantage scoring two tries out wide the first by Ryan Farrow who had an impressive game in the centre and then Ross Johnson on his debut finishing off a fluent move well and bringing back memories from the older members on the touchline of his father’s (Phil Johnson) try scoring successes for the 1st XV. Ross will no doubt have a long and successful career based on this promising debut. 23-17.
With the score now 23-17 Folkestone were right back in the game but a mistake from the restart enabled Dartfordians to regain possession and put Folkestone under severe pressure on their line resulting in Will Turner being given a yellow card. Dartfordians from the resulting penalty and a period of concerted pressure eventually crossed the line and with a successful conversion killed off the Folkestone revival. 30-17.
Before the end Dartfordians scored one final try with some good play from their backs and their left wing finishing off a move which had started in their own half to give a final score which was not reflective of Folkestone’s excellent second half performance. 37-17.
This was an enjoyable game to watch considering the wet and windy conditions and credit must go to the referee for his performance and both teams for some excellent handling skills and entertaining running rugby.
Next week sees ‘Stones play Horsham at home in the league and based on this second half performance the team should look forward to the encounter with confidence.
Team: Richard Dagger; Jon Morton, Ross Dempsey, Ryan Farrow, Thomo Murray; Will Silvey (Capt.), James Mead; Tom Carvill, Jake Ellis, Steve Doughty; Ben Stringer,Carl Tibbetts; Miles Dempsey, Will Turner, Chris Petley.
Subs: Kieran Smith, Kev Murray, Scott Stewart, Ross Johnson.
Scorers: Ross Dempsey 5; Jon Morton 2, Ryan Farrow 5, Ross Johnson 5.