A very tight match with Folkestone edging to a win in the final minute

FOLKESTONE 23 DARTFORDIANS 20
13th September 2014 By Alan Schofield
The first League match of the new rugby season saw The Stones welcome Dartfordians from Bexley to Burlington Fields - looking in superb condition after a summer of growth.
This was Leigh Fitchie’s first League game as coach, and he couldn’t have chosen a harder one if his side were to be real promotion candidates in 2015 – for Dartfordians were the only team that Folkestone failed to beat in the previous season. This included a remarkable 36 – 36 draw in March.
In the last second of the last minute Folkestone won the game so strewn with errors and penalties that it took away some of the praise for some brilliant individual moments and a team effort which bodes very well for the season ahead.
But with only 12 minutes to play, the deficit was 12 points. It might be said that the visitors were fortunate to have what looked like a match winning lead having scored two converted tries both of which had an element of luck.
From the kick off Folkestone conceded three penalties in the first five minutes, the third being converted into a 0 – 3 lead for Dartfordians. But within that short space of time Folkestone had convincingly won the first two scrums and this was to be significant.
An attacking threat by Richard Dagger, linking with David Baxter and Adam Tolman forced an error and Will Silvey levelled the scores to 3 – 3.
The Stones line out looked solid with Steve Doughty’s throws finding Tim Wood at No 4 with ease. Therefore the set pieces did not look to be the danger, even though the opponents had size, strength and youth to call upon.
The coaching team used some tactical interchanges of position in the first 20 minutes with Adam Tolman moving first to No.10 and then to the wing. Steve Doughty received a knock and was substituted by Jack Cox after 20 minutes. But this did not disrupt Dartfordians who found a long kick to put The Stones under pressure, and on defence which, although at times was desperate, nevertheless remained solid until a penalty was conceded to give the lead away: 3 – 6 after 30 minutes.
Time after time Folkestone won possession and gained some ground, but then lost it by carelessly losing the ball. Dartfordians were always quick to take advantage either by kicking or using their obviously very quick wingers. Again The Stones fought back into the attacking 22 metre zone when David Baxter threw an attacking long pass which held up in the air – it was intercepted by the opponents’ fly half and allowed a clear run for a try under the posts. 3 – 10.
The Folkestone back row of Charlie Millen, Richie Bowen and David Baxter were working well together in attack and defence and when Folkestone were awarded a penalty 12 metres out Tom Carvill made the first hard metres before feeding David Baxter, at speed, who was unstoppable to score out on the left wing – too far for the conversion into the wind. This brought the score to 8 – 10 at half-time.
The first 10 minutes of the second half saw The Stones in defence and Tom Snare with Tom Carvill and John Eustace were notable for their tackling. Only a penalty for offside relieved the pressure. But then, Folkestone conceded three penalties in a row, the last being near enough to convert.
It was at this point that the score was the same as the penalty count - 8 -13 - after 55 minutes of playing time.
Another attack saw another bad pass and dropped ball, from which Dartfordians fly kicked 45 metres downfield. A bad bounce made recovery impossible and another try was gifted under the posts. (The opponents were fast.)
Against the overall possession and run-of-play in the match, the score of 8 – 20 - with 12 minutes to play - flattered the visitors. Then, Richie Dagger started a cross field run with John Eustace in support. Tom Snare, as ever in support, was there to take a short inside pass and score in the left corner. 13 -20.
After 68 minutes Richie Bowen made 50 metres in a strong run, crashing through three tackle attempts, and when the continuing attacking movement was thwarted by a deliberate knock-on, a yellow card reduced the Bexley team to 14 men.
This was the signal for a massive attacking effort, Will Turner, David Baxter and Chris Petley all made ground before Will Silvey finished off with a strong run to the corner. Club captain ‘Moose’ Murray, side-lined with an ankle injury and deputising as touch judge - in his excitement - raised his arm (holding the flag), and the referee awarded the touch down even though it was clearly a try. A discussion followed and the try was correctly awarded. Now the score was 18 -20 with two minutes left.
From the restart an all-out assault, starting from deep in their own half, saw every one of the home team contribute to working the ball relentlessly towards the opponents try line and again, in a close passing situation, Tom Snare was on hand to power over the line with Steve Doughty getting the touchdown in the most exciting of finishes. The home team were ahead for the first time in the game and won the 5 points with a final score of 23 – 20.
Dartfordians are a formidable team with strength and speed and they will feel unlucky to lose. But Folkestone generally had the edge and deserved this win and in doing so demonstrated a magnificent team effort.
However, a penalty count of 28 (of which 16 were against The Stones) was exceeded threefold by passing and handling errors. This tended to spoil an otherwise sporting and hard fought match.