FRFC 24 Tunbridge Wells 39

This wasn't a game for the faint hearted - and I'm talking about
spectators, not players. It was near freezing point with a biting wind
and Folkestone elected to play with the wind in the first half.
The visitors opened the scoring by creating space and an overlap for an
unconverted try but a series of penalties to Folkestone in the
opposition 22 area allowed John Eustace to crash over for a converted
try. 7 - 5
Tunbridge were a team of older and wiser heads playing a much younger
side and at times the experience showed. Folkestone refused to use the
wind and kick their way out of dangerous situations, prefering to run
out of their own 22 area which caused them problems. The home side
nearly increased their lead when Ben Brooks broke away and his kick
ahead bounced nicely for Joe Johnson who was dragged down short of the
line and got injured in the process.
Tunbridge then had a bout of scoring which saw them create an overlap
and score under the posts for an easy conversion - 17 - 7. They then
fielded a wild kick out of defence to score in the corner 22-7.
Folkestone could not gather a ball hacked on twice from the visitors
half and paid the price with another unconverted try 27 - 7 and again
conceded a try from a loose kick out of defence 32 - 7.
Coach Leigh Fitchie was unimpressed with some of the refereeing
decisions and a loud cheer went up when a penalty was awarded in
Folkestones favour.
The wind was blowing so strongly that I could not understand the
commentary I made into my hand held recorder so I don't know who scored
the next try for Folkestone but think it was Eustace again with a drop
kick conversion from Jak Cox making the score 32 - 14.
Eustace scored again 32 -19 only for Tunbridge to create an overlap and
score in reply and convert 39-19.
Folkestone were fighting back but were running out of time and the last
score proved the best of the game when Gardner broke away to feed
Eustace who, it turn fed young Farrell (a youngster to watch) who beat
the defence to the line for an unconverted try.
Not a convincing performance by Folkestone but showing plenty of spirit
and enthusiasm against a team who were far more 'street wise'.