Crowborough RFC 1st.XV 40 Folkestone RFC 1st.XV 7

Saturday 7th. April 2018. LONDON 3SE Match Report by - Alan Schofield.

‘Non progresi est regredi’ says it all, as Folkestone lose a crucial match
Folkestone had six key players unavailable for this crucial 1st XV match against a comfortably placed Crowborough, and the heavy defeat was particularly disappointing as a win was imperative to their chances of avoiding relegation and the descent into the local Kent rugby divisions.
Therefore, and unfortunately, it was this disadvantage caused by the multiplicity of changes in players and positions that forced Folkestone to succumb to a well organised team that were better in all departments.
The Latin expression ‘non progresi est regredi’ has never been truer as The Stones spent all of the first 30 minutes of play in their half and in hard defence.
The first minutes were ominous as Crowborough easily held Folkestone’s early possession, and then won a scrum and line outs in attacking positions - but against a determined defence that kept them confined to the 22-metre area. Realising that a way through the forwards was going to be difficult Crowborough gave their backs the ball, first on the left wing, – and then, where they found success, on the right wing with two tries in quick succession, the first after 16 minutes and the second two minutes later. Folkestone covering and tackling was found lacking as Crowborough threw fast passes out to the wing where both tries were scored – all too easily, the first being well converted. 12 – 0.
The Stones central defence was holding out, and some of the relieving kicks from Callum Palmieri and Jon Morton were good and accurate, but the team looked vulnerable as Crowborough started to swing the ball around and a couple of tackles were missed as they broke the centre field area, forcing The Stones, again, to defend in their 5 metre zone. Some resistance, a penalty, a quick tap and a try all happened quickly – and The Stones went 17 – 0 down before they saw the Crowborough half of the field.
But, in the words of Alexander Pope, hope springs eternal in the human breast – and this came immediately from the restart when Dave Archer charged down the return kick and Jordan Godden, always lively, snapped up the ball and weaved his way though an unbalanced defence to score under the posts. Fortunate, but welcome. 17 – 7.
The referee, who throughout the game, was astute and particularly alert to any tackle above the scapulae, awarded Crowborough a penalty in front of the posts as the lead went to 20 – 7. Then triple blows for Folkestone as the two hard tackling and hard working stalwarts - John Eustace, with a large mouse over the left eye, and Sam Beech with a damaged leg were substituted with Kieran Smith and Jeremy Cowell, and then Callum Palmieri was helped off with a dead leg injury.
Half time came with some encouraging words from coach Darren Molloy - and more changes as Sam Beech came back on and Steve Doughty replaced Adam Bloomfield. Callum Palmieri (back on again after treatment,) and Jordan Godden swapped the scrum half position with Godden going to centre as play resumed – but it was all very disruptive. Before Folkestone could settle, Crowborough took quick advantage and ran in their fourth and bonus point try after a succession of attacks found a gap down the left wing. 28 – 7.
More botheration for The Stones quickly followed with Jordan Godden sustaining an ankle injury and limping badly for five minutes before being replaced by Adam Bloomfield, and it was difficult to see who was playing where. Sam Leather had to be given treatment by the very hard-working physio Ashley Fry, but somehow Jon Morton got his team together and briefly they attacked the Crowborough line – forcing two long defensive kicks.
Another high tackle earned Crowborough a yellow card and then a double penalty took The Stones into the 5-metre zone and attacking hard. Scott Stewart and Dave Jarvis tried and failed, but then the ball was knocked on in what would have been a try. And another chance soon went begging as Kyle Deakin started a move to the left – but in open field and a clear line, the ball was passed forward – such were the frustrations that had to be borne on this unfortunate day.
Crowborough added to the misery and then completed it by scoring their fifth try after regaining ground on Folkestone’s mistakes, comprehensively winning a scrum and running through to score easily 33 – 7. Three penalties to Folkestone gave opportunities close to line but handling errors dashed any hope and Crowborough rubbed salt into the wounds when a long fly kick forward bounced awkwardly for the cover defence and the sixth try was scored without resistance. 40 – 7.
Another high tackle brought a second yellow card for Crowborough, but only seconds remained before the welcome conclusion for a Folkestone team that had been forced to contend with an unrelenting series of unfortunate events. The original selection, the missing players, the on-field injuries and the multiple changes of position all contributed to a day when they most needed their best but could only produce something that was far away from that which was required.
‘Sic vita est’ is now the situation that faces The Stones. Optimists will say there is hope of avoiding relegation, but realists will know better.
Next week – home match against runaway divisional leaders, Aylesford, and I have great sympathy for the selection team.

Team: Kyle Deakin; Thomo Murray, John Eustace, Jon Morton (Capt.), Josh Holt; Callum Palmieri., Jordan Godden; Martin Murray, Adam Bloomfield, James Archer; Colby Hayward, David Jarvis; Sam Beech, Scott Stewart, Connor Leather.
Subs: Kieran Smith, Steve Doughty, Jeremie Cowell.
Scorers: Jordan Godden 5; Jon Morton 2.