Folkestone win a close fought match

London 3SE PARK HOUSE 1sts 25 FOLKESTONE 1sts 26
Saturday1st November 2014. Report by Alan Schofield
There have been many tussles with Bromley based Park House over the 40 years history of Folkestone RFC and not all them played in the spirit of the game that Twickenham promote so strenuously. But with all credit to the players and referee, this game was played with a good attitude throughout – and not a single penalty was awarded for foul play.
Folkestone were lucky to win – notwithstanding the fact that they were the better team. But having deservedly achieved a single point lead, their opponents missed a straightforward penalty kick two minutes from full time and then missed scoring a try on the left wing – fortunately (or unfortunately) knocking the loose ball forward with the try line below his hand.
Park House had the advantage at the scrums and in the loose with a heavier pack – something that Folkestone have to learn to deal with. Their tactics largely centred about winning the forward battle and then hoofing the ball long, downfield and chasing.
The ‘Stones clearly had the advantage in mobility, creativeness and speed. But they fell behind after 12 minutes with a classic pushover try. A penalty was kicked long to touch; Park House won their line out, kept the ball tight and eight forwards were unstoppable. Notwithstanding this, within 5 minutes Folkestone showed their pace and quick thinking when Chris Petley picked up a rebound from a short kick forward, he passed to Jon Morton. Richard Dagger, seeing the opportunity came in from full back, down the centre field at speed to take the pass and score near the posts. Jon Morton converted. 5-7.
It is unusual at this level to see drop kicks, but Park House regained the lead with a beauty. Another penalty had given them territory to within 25 metres when the ball was fed back from the ensuing maul for the opponent’s fly half to drop kick 3 points from distance to put them back into the lead. 8-7.
But The ‘Stones fought back with some penetrating three-quarter movements where their directness and passing tested Park House to the limit – and it was against the run of play when Park made a breakthrough and, with the Folkestone defences disconnected, scored a try on the far on the left wing - well converted - to stretch the lead to 15-7.
Immediately from the re-start Folkestone came straight back to where they had been – in attack, but this time Chris Petley broke through the defensive wall, forced his way for 15 metres before seeing ‘Thomo’ Murray, in support, who made his speed tell to score an excellent try. 15-12.
Park House kicked off long, Folkestone gathered, and started again from their own 22 metre line, but surprisingly were brought back by the referee for crossing in midfield whilst in defence – a harsh decision, but accepted gleefully by Park House who scored the easy 3 points from the penalty kick. 18-12.
John Eustace suffered a back strain and was replaced by Will Turner, a back row specialist; therefore Richie Bowen was moved into the centre.
Another massive kick downfield from Park House failed to find touch and Richard Dagger scooped up a brilliant catch close to the ground. Seeing the opposition well dispersed he went straight down the middle for 40 metres, again, the ever present ‘Thomo’ Murray was at his shoulder to take a clean pass, he dummied twice and scored under the posts. The ball had travelled 80 metres without a hand being laid on the carriers. Jon Morton’s conversion then kicked The Stones into the lead 18 – 19 just seconds before half time.
Two great opportunities by The ‘Stones came early in the second half, Jack Cox intercepted with no defence in sight, but he elected to kick in to space rather than trust his undoubted speed. Miles Dempsey and Steve Doughty had a great run together, tight to the left touchline, inter-passing between the two of them and only desperate defence bundled them into touch.
These two players were then substituted after 52 minutes, James Mead and Josh Kemp being given a taste of 1stXV rugby. But only three minutes later Park House used the forward pressure tactics again – scoring a pushover try on the right wing, very well converted to show a score of 25-19.
As usual Folkestone came straight back into attack refusing two penalties, awarded to them deep into the opponents half, preferring to keep the ball in play until the penalties were nullified by time and territory gained. It was unfortunate that a marginal off-side gave Park House the opportunity to relieve the pressure.
(After one hour of play a very unfortunate incident stopped play for a considerable time. The Park House No 10 broke his ankle in a fast running movement across the bumpy pitch, the snap being heard around the ground. This resulted in play being switched to a small playing area adjacent to the main pitch. (Regrettably, almost exactly the same injury was sustained by a Heathfield player two weeks earlier.) Perhaps pitches should be lightly rolled to reduce the risk of this type of injury?)
The narrow pitch suited Park House better as space was tight, and so it was especially good to see the Folkestone backs, with Jordan Godden and captain Jon Morton testing and stretching the opposition across the field. Then Josh Kemp, playing wide out right, saw an opening and charged through it, Richie Bowen was in close support and took play 30 metres forward before a beautifully balanced pass to Thomo Murray – as ever in close support – saw half a gap with the opposition quickly covering cross field. But he beat them all with a jinking run and completed a brilliant try, and his personal hat-trick, by having the foresight to know the match situation and running in the in-goal to score and make a conversion easier for Jon Morton – who duly obliged with a cool kick to put The Stone in front 25–26 with minutes to go.
The last minute dramas followed but ‘Stones held on for a four try and five point victory to lift them into fourth place in the table. Overall, although the result was a great boost to the season’s efforts, Folkestone know they could have played better, even on the heavy ground, in both defence and attack. But sympathies must go out to Leigh Fitchie and his coaching team – as yet again six positional changes had to be made this day. Oh for a settled team!
The small band of Folkestone supporters went away happy.
TEAM: Richard Dagger; Thomo Murray, John Eustace, Ross Dempsey, Jack Cox; Jon Morton (Capt.), Jordan Godden; Warren Blandford, Steve Doughty, Tom Carvill; Ben Stringer; Miles Dempsey; Charlie Millen, Richie Bowen, Chris Petley.
Subs: Will Turner; James Mead; Josh Kemp