1stXVs lose again in a hard fought away match.

HEATHFIELD & WALDRON 1stXV 39 FOLKESTONE 1stXV 19
London 3SE Saturday 16th April 2016 Report from Alan Schofield
Such was the divide between Heathfield, (in second place in the table) and Folkestone (in fourth place) that 26 points separated them before this match. But the competition for promotion between the top three teams is intense and the quirk of the fixture list had it that Folkestone play Bromley (the league leaders) next week therefore an extra element of interest was present on the result of this game.
So there was an understandable atmosphere of kakorrhaphiophobia amongst the home supporters as they entertained a group of Folkestone veteran ‘blazers’ for a pre-match luncheon.
But such fears were misguided as the home side ran out easy winners – or so it would seem by a quick look at the score. But the Folkestone supporters saw no less than 13 points being left in the ether by their team. But even without this, only one other side have scored more points against Heathfield this season.
Not that any consolation was needed by Folkestone this day as yet another reshuffled team took to the field and showed immediately that they were no pushovers as Heathfield tried seven determined pick and charges within 5 metres of the Folkestone line – all resisted before a mistake was made.
Folkestone broke loose through John Eustace (now positioned at No 8) Will Melia and Chris Petley with some crisp, short inter-passing. And Seyhan Fell broke clear to run in the first try when the referee decided some-one, somewhere was offside!
Possibly Heathfield were dismayed that their normal scrum dominance was being thoroughly thwarted by an outstanding performance by the Folkestone eight in set scrums, rucks and mauls. Unfortunately the same could not be said for the line outs, where a highly proficient home side dominated throughout the game.
Jon Eustace was revelling in his new position and time and again, made forceful runs carrying men on his back. Heathfield were tested by Seyhan Fell, Will Melia, Tom Carvill and Chris Petley in centre field thrusts, but they showed skill and speed on both wings as they retaliated. A very even first quarter of the game passed without a score, but the home side then quickly ran up 10 points. After three points given away from a penalty kick, Jon Morton kicked off straight into touch, giving Heathfield a scrum on the half way line, won easily - and quickly throwing the ball out to the right, broke through and scored a skilled and fast try, duly converted. 10-0.
However The Stones struck back when Jon Morton broke through, and going left – cross kicked to Josh Holt, on the left wing, who did remarkably well to catch a difficult ball and then to dodge three big defenders and pass inside to Adam Tolman, backing up at speed and touching down. 10 – 5.
It was unfortunate for Folkestone, and lucky for Heathfield, that Seyhan Fell was very unusually out of place kicking form in this match – missing not only this conversion, but two later penalty kicks which normally he would have put over with ease.
Heathfield then again showed their skill when, winning a ball from a scrum, found a gap in the normally tight Folkestone defence and scored a try to open up the gap to 17 – 5.
But in this see-saw first half Jon Morton put Heathfield right back into the muddy left corner with a well taken penalty kick. The ensuing maul saw the Folkestone forwards take the ball right up to the line before James Mead released his backs going right, and then was on hand to take a reverse pass to slip through for a touchdown under the posts. Seyhan Fell converted, the score was 17 – 12, half time came with honours fairly even and Heathfield knowing they were far away from the win they so badly needed.
The second half started with The Stones determined to push Heathfield to the limit. And in the scrums, mauls and rucks they succeeded - but Heathfield’s third try was a beauty coming from a scrum – out very quickly to the fastest sprinter on the field on their right wing – and Folkestone just couldn’t catch him as he swung it inside for their third try. 24 - 12.
Kieran Smith relieved a hard working Jack Barton. But there was a noticeable change in the game as time and time again Heathfield won line out ball which gave their forwards a platform. A penalty try was conceded against formidable power mauling and minutes later - mistakes put Heathfield into another attacking position started with a penalty kick into touch 8 metres out, won all too easily by their forwards and a well-rehearsed back up maul forced The Stones back over their line to concede the pushover try and suddenly, the score was an unlikely 34 – 12.
But a spirited retaliation came quickly when the solid Kyle Deakin cleverly slipped a pass to Adam Tolman to side-step two opponents before scoring under the posts. The try was converted and the score was 34 - 19 with 10 minutes to go. And so The Stones fought back and defended brilliantly. Brief forays by Adam Tolman, captain Jon Morton, Tom Carvill and John Eustace were frustrated by infringements and the penalty count – equally shared - mounted towards a record total of 30 in a single game! These, plus innumerable stoppages for seemingly every minor offense in the R.F.U. Book of Laws had the effect of stopping play over 60 times in 80 minutes.
And when John Eustace was put clear by Chris Petley, running shoulder to shoulder with him, he was unopposed to touch down under the posts – but no! The referee was the only person on the ground who saw the side to side handover as being forward. This denied The Stones their bonus point try!
Nevertheless, Heathfield were the better team and their last minute try lifted the score to 39 – 19 that looked better than the 39 – 32, which it could have been, with a bit more luck on the Folkestone side.
Next week could be a festival of good rugby against the already promoted Bromley. Interestingly The Stones, now having seven pogonophiles will outnumber, for once, the traditionally hirsute Londoners.
The V.P. lunch, preceding the game, has a long list of farewells to herald and will celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, St Georges’ Day and the last game of the season. Unmissable!

Team: Adam Tolman; Thomo Murray, Seyhan Fell, Jon Morton (Capt.), Josh Holt; Kyle Deakin, James Mead; Will Melia, Jack Cox, Tom Carvill; Callum Gibson, Jack Barton; Frazer Hendy, Chris Petley, John Eustace.
Subs: Kieran Smith, Will Turner, Charlie Watson.
Scorers: Adam Tolman 5,5; James Mead 5; Seyhan Fell 2, 2.