Not quite good enough again!

Pulborough 1stXV 29 Folkestone 1stXV 19
London 3 SE Saturday 19th March 2016 Report from Alex Ruddock

Folkestone went into this game against lower placed Pulborough hoping to turn the previous four losses to lower sides into a deserved win, however, Pulborough had other ideas and on the day, showed a passion and aggression to win, something that Folkestone seem to have mislaid since their two wins in early January.
The game was played in a bitingly cold wind diagonally across the pitch (no wonder there is a Gliding Club next door!)
However it all started well with a good kick off which bounced into touch about 15 metres out from the hosts try line. From the ensuing line out a scrum was given and Pulborough were penalised as they went backwards and wheeled the scrum. Step forward Seyhan Fell to slot the kick for a 0-3 lead after a couple of minutes.
Pulborough restarted with a good kick which was gathered by Folkestone but in the ensuing maul and ruck they were forced back by some aggressive driving by the larger Pulborough forwards which resulted in a try for them fairly wide out on the right. The conversion was missed. 5-3. Unfortunately in the lead-up to the try Jack Barton had a clash of heads (a broken nose) to be replaced by Scottie Stewart.
‘Stones restarted with some awesome scrummaging which saw Pulborough being marched back in several scrums, this allowed No.8 Chris Petley to come off the back of the scrum to link with scrumhalf Doug Wood who was forced into touch about 15 metres from ‘Borough’s try line. With several scrums following, ‘Stones were putting ‘Borough under a lot of pressure, the ball eventually getting out to Seyhan Fell who dummied and made good ground before being brought down not far from the line. In the ensuing ruck ‘Borough were penalised for going over the top, going off their feet. Seyhan Fell stepped up to kick the penalty. 5-6. This saw Scottie Stewart getting a cut ear and being replaced by Ryan Farrow. All this after fifteen minutes of play!
Folkestone were showing some good scrums and some quick ball out to Doug Wood and James Lunnun gave Jon Morton a run but yet again ‘Stones ran out off room and a lineout was again contested which saw ‘Borough making ground into ‘Stones twenty two, any progress was halted with a huge kick downfield by Adam Tolman, unfortunately it was too good and the ball went dead. This meant another scrum to ‘Borough from where the kick was taken.
Again Folkestone pushed the scrum back and another quick ball saw the three-quarters working their way across and up the pitch several times, with John Eustace, Seyhan Fell and James Mead working well together, ably supported by forwards Will Melia, Callum Gibson, Michael Gardner, Frazer Hendy and Chris Petley. Yet again ‘Borough infringed when it looked as if ‘Stones would be able to get their eagerly awaited try. Again Seyhan Fell stepped up to increase the lead to 5-9.
From ‘Borough’s restart they put ‘Stones under pressure and after some sustained defence several first up tackles were missed allowing the ‘Borough pack to drive though and score another try, this time converted. 9-12.
From the restart the hosts gathered the bal and found touch. Folkestone won this lineout and Michael Gardner made a storming fifteen metre run diagonally before being brought down. Then there was a period when both sides could not gain the upper hand in the central area of the pitch. Eventually the pressure told and with several minutes to go to half time Pulborough were again penalised allowing Seyhan Fell to step up and level the scores at 12-12.
From their restart Folkestone gathered the ball and made headway up the pitch when ‘Borough again infringed, however this time the trusty boot of Seyhan Fell failed and ‘Borough gained the ball to kick into touch for halftime.
A half that saw Folkestone do some good work but each time the final play going astray they could not gain the tries that went begging several times.
At the start of the second half ‘Borough kicked off and made ground into the ‘Stones twenty-two ending with a scrum five metres out, Pulborough broke through some tackles to score a try that was converted. 19-12.
This was when Doug Wood took a blow and was replaced by Charlie Watson, with James Mead moving to scrumhalf. Alex Box was also off with Scottie Stewart coming back on in a scrumcap. Yet again Folkestone worked their way up to the ‘Borough five metres line but again could not make their way across the line. All game the Folkestone pack was dominant and causing Pulborough problems but the advantage never came to anything. Time and again the pack won good ball and either took it on or passed out to the backs but each time the attack floundered with wrong choices taken and poor passing and gathering. Several times the ball was got out to Charles Watson but he never had the space to make his speed tell and ended up being tackled into touch.
With ‘Stones pressurising in the hosts twenty-two with Scottie Stewart, Frazer Hendy, Callum Gibson, Michael Gardner, Chris Petley and James Mead heavily involved several times there was eventually success. Eventually from a five metre scrum Folkestone managed to work the ball until Ryan Farrow was able to worm his way over for a try, converted by Seyhan Fell to bring the scores level. 19-19.
Shortly afterwards a comedy of errors and poor tackling by ‘Stones allowed Pulborough through for another converted try! 26-19.
However with just a minute to go Folkestone infringed and Pulborough kicked the penalty. 29-19. From the restart Pulborough collected the ball and kicked to touch to end a disappointing game from Folkestone’s viewpoint.

This was a game for the taking, yet again, but on the day the opposition put together some strong running and arguably should have been penalised more on their performance in the scrum and during loose play.

Team: Adam Tolman; James Mead, Seyhan Fell, John Eustace, Jon Morton (Capt.); James Lunnun, Doug Wood; Will Melia, Alex Box, Tom Carvill; Callum Gibson, Jack Barton; Frazer Hendy, Michael Gardner, Chris Petley.
Subs: Ryan Farrow, Scott Stewart, Charlie Watson.
Scorers: Seyhan Fell 3, 3, 3, 3, 2; Ryan Farrow 5.