Two view points of today's game against Lewes!

22nd November 2014 Touchline Report By Alan Schofield
Lewes had the misfortune to have their changing rooms closed by the authorities after failing a risk assessment for “legionella bacteria?” Thus the match was transferred to New Burlington Field. (It remains to be decided where the ‘home’ game on the 7th March will be played.)
A comprehensive victory for Folkestone against bottom-of-the-table Lewes was set-up by a dominant pack of forwards. The score could have been much more as the tally of missed opportunities and penalties awarded against The ‘Stones mounted as the game went on.
Coach Leigh Fitchie will be satisfied with the 5 points earned from a good all round effort, but the constant changes due to absence and injury clearly takes its toll in the cohesion of the team.
The forwards, with the twin powerhouse of Matt Roots and Tom Carvill as props showed massive strength at the first scrum when the lighter Lewes pack was propelled backwards for 10 metres. However the referee seemed to take a different view to this domination and found reasons to penalise Folkestone 6 times in the first six minutes!
But every time Folkestone came straight back and Myles Dempsey found an opening down the middle of the field – and went straight through the defence to touch down near to the posts. Jon Morton converted. 0 – 7.
The second of two more penalties given to Lewes, aimed at finding the touchline, failed and was well caught by debutant Harry Clewley playing on the left wing. He showed his strength and speed by beating three tackle attempts to run in his debut try from his own 10 metre line. Jon Morton had a fairly easy conversion to move The Stones ahead by 0-14.
But within three minutes Lewes fought back. A defensive lapse, or misunderstanding, in the centre gave away an easy try to the Lewes No. 10 who was able to stroll over the try line unopposed and brought the score back to 7–14.
Ben Stringer, Charlie Millen and Josh Kemp were formidable in the loose and were snapping up the ball at every opportunity to feed Lewis Howland, playing at scrum half, who in turn set up Will Silvey for attack after attack. When Ollie Walton broke through - his pass to Harry Clewley, with a clear run to the line, was cynically knocked on which reduced Lewes to 14 men after the yellow card was shown.
The half-time score of 7–14 possibly flattered Lewes. But only four minutes into the second half Chris Petley opportunistically saw a loose ball and pinched it from in front of the Lewes forwards, made 15 metres towards the line and was just pulled up short. The ensuing ruck saw Folkestone forwards pile in at speed overwhelming the defence and Matt Roots was in hand to score the try. 7-19.
Five minutes later with Folkestone pressing forward at every opportunity Ben Stringer attempted to touch down, but was forced back and the ball went dead. From the drop-out restart Tom Carvill fielded the long kick and attacked the opposition at speed with Thomo Murray at his side, the pass was beautifully timed and the try was scored on the right wing. 7–24.
A series of basic errors in passing slowed the now rampant Stones down and possession was lost a number of times, but Lewes tended to kick the ball away downfield rather than try to keep possession. This was a mistake as it opened the door for more attacks. Warren Blandford took the ball well up field and again Lewes were having to defend their line. Centre field and close to the line, with the forwards in possession, the try seemed inevitable and it was Josh Kemp, always in the thick of it, forced his way over and under the posts. An easy conversion for Jon Morton put the score to 7–31.
Lewes had a chance to strike a blow back when they created a three man overlap but with a clear field in front and no opposing player they contrived to lose the ball in the act of touching down. Folkestone regained control and it was good to see Adam Tolman back on the field after a long absence following knee surgery. He moved quickly from full back to fly half and immediately his penetrating play and accurate passing were evident.
A final try came in the last minute when the irrepressible Charlie Millen took the ball on his own from the base of a scrum and forced his way over the try line with four men hanging on to him. Morton again converted and the final score of 7–38.
It would remiss not to give credit to a Lewes side who have this season been demoted from London 2SE. Lewes played good, clean rugby and they have some good ideas. But unfortunately for them they came up against a weighty and co-ordinated pack of Folkestone forwards who were unassailable on this day.

Now for the view from the Balcony by Steve Hughes.
Folkestone were expected to beat their visitors who languish at the bottom of the League without a win to their name.
However, Lewes proved to be a lively side with a fluid three-quarter line and some strong running forwards.
It looked as if the writing was on the wall for Lewes as the home side notched an easy try within seven minutes when Lewis Howland popped the ball to Charlie Millen (or was it Miles Dempsey??) out of a loose maul on the visitors try line to see Jon Morton convert 7 - 0. For the next twenty minutes the exchanges were even with both sides putting the other under pressure and only stern defence saved scores for both sides.
Folkestone again fielded a shuffled side with Matt Roots, Richie Dagger and Josh Kemp returning and Harry Clewley making his debut. Lewes then had a penalty in front of the posts but elected to run the ball but failed to capitalise on it.
Captain Moose Murray temporarily replaced Mat Roots (blood injury). Harry Clewley scored a classic wingers try by tearing down the outside channel and fending of three tackles before scoring after 24 minutes for Jon Morton to add the extras 14 - 0.
After 32 minutes Lewes hit back from a ruck on the 5 metre line when the ball reached the outside half. He did a neat pirouette to fox the defence and scored under the posts for an easy conversion. 14 – 7. Miles Dempsey and Charlie Millen were in the thick of it with Dempsey making several breaks only to run into stern defence. Folkestone were being criticised by the crowd for not letting the ball flow along the line whereas Lewes were doing the opposite. Folkestone’s defence however was strong with Chris Petley, Ben Stringer and Tom Carvill leading the troops. Mat Roots then replaced Moose Murray after 32 minutes under the blood replacement rule.
The home side were dominating the scrums with a heavier pack but the line out was not a clear cut as it has been in the past. Half time score 14 - 7.
Folkestone now have a selection of quality three-quarters to choose from in Richard Dagger, Ollie Walton, Thomo Murray, Harry Clewley, Ryan Farrow, Will Silvey, Jon Morton, Adam Tolman (back after injury), Lewis Howland, Jordan Godden, Frankie Morgan, James Mead together with John Eustace and Ben Williams when they are fit. Today however the ball didn't reach the wings as often as it should have.
Mat Roots, to the cheers of the crowd, crashed over for a try when Lewis Howland fed him from a loose maul on the visitors line. No conversion 19 - 7.
Tom Carvill had a hand in the next home try when he burst up the wing before drawing the full back and sending Thomo Murray over in the corner after 50 minutes. No conversion 24 - 7.
Harry Clewley on his debut shows that he is a strong, decisive runner and will be fighting off challengers for the wingers spot. Adam Tolman then replaced Thomo Murray and moved into the fly half slot after 55 minutes. Lewes nearly scored under the posts after their centre sneaked through the middle but was brought down just short of the line by Folkestone's cover defence which worked well all afternoon. Another score, I think by Charlie Millen, under the posts was converted by Morton making the score 31 - 7. Folkestone then shuffled the substitutes around and I couldn't keep pace with the changes!!!!
Folkestone were keeping the pressure up on the visitors and a movement in front of the posts saw Lewis Howland feed Adam Tolman who twisted his way towards the line only to be held up. Charlie Millen however was on hand to carry the ball over the line on the 79 minute mark for Jon Morton to convert making a final score of 38 - 7.
Although it was a comprehensive win it was not one of Folkestone’s best performances and my main criticism was the taking on of the tackle before passing the ball.
Anyway, a win is a win and Folkestone gained all five points including the bonus.
Team: Richard Dagger; Thomo Murray, Jon Morton, Ollie Walton, Harry Clewley; Will Silvey (Capt.), Lewis Howland; Mat Roots, Warren Blandford, Tom Carvill; Ben Stringer, Josh Kemp; Charlie Millen, Chris Petley, Miles Dempsey.
Subs.: Martin Murray, Carl Tibbetts, Adam Tolman.
Scorers: Miles Dempsey 5; Jon Morton 2, 2, 2, 2; Harry Clewley 5; Mat Roots 5; Thomo Murray 5; Josh Kemp 5; Charlie Millen 5.