Sunshine greets the Tourists from Somerset

Folkestone 56 pts Avonvale (Bath) 0 pts
Saturday 25th April 2015 By Alan Schofield
This was a friendly game against a Somerset touring side that the late 19th Century Methodists could well have used as a demonstration that the evils of the demon of drink, loose living and late nights were an abomination against sobriety, a healthy diet and good living.
But such are Rugby touring sides - that when it comes to the actual game we find that the mind and body are willing – but only for a few minutes before the inevitable recognition that the converse is the actuality.
And so it was with the happy bunch of end-of-season tourists from Avonvale who arrived from the West Country to challenge a randomly selected Folkestone team made up of players from the four senior teams that they possess.
Smartly kitted out and looking strong and fast Avonvale took to field in professional style – but from the kick off they were immediately put under pressure from the quick running and fast passing that Folkestone have been renowned for during this season. Ryan Farrow, Scott Stewart and John Eustace all dropped the ball with only the try line in front of them and when Jon Morton tried an outrageous drop goal attempt from 45 metres it was clear that cavalier rugby was going to be the order of the day.
Avonvale had no answer on this day, taking their predisposition in account, to a fit and fast home side. Scott Stewart ran in the first of his first half hat trick of tries within 7 minutes, and further tries were scored by Ross Dempsey (twice), Jon Morton. So the six tries brought an interval score of 36 – 0.
This was soon added to by tries by Greg Wood and Elliot Dempsey before Avonvale, to their credit mounted a series of attacks in the Folkestone 22 metres area reaching the try line three times but failing to touch down. This certainly cheered up the visiting supporters on the balcony and it was bad luck and some deliberate offending by Folkestone that prevented the Avonvale team putting points on the board. Even the substitute appearance of the Avonvale tour manager, a gentleman of Billy Usher’s age and proportions) could not inspire the strived for breakthrough.
The Stones broke free from this 10 minutes of defence and again the speed and fast passing confused the opposition. Newcomer Jack Barton and Frankie Morgan completed the scoring and the game finished in the excellent spirit in which it had started with a 56 – 0 victory to the home side.
A very funny, and slightly boisterous couple of hours continued in the Clubhouse which was enjoyed by all – except perhaps by Jill and Pat who had to prepare for another party later in the evening.

Team: Alex Pritchard; Jeremy Cowell, John Eustace, Frankie Morgan, Elliot Dempsey; Jon Morton, Greg Wood; Carl Tibbetts, Alex Box, Harry Paton; Billy Monk, Callum Gibson; Scott Stewart, Ryan Farrow, Jack Barton.

Subs.: Jake Ellis, Jack Cox, Terry Holt, Tony Bass, Kieran Smith, James Fry, Ross Dempsey.

Scorers: Scott Stewart 5, 2, 5, 5, 2; Ross Dempsey 5, 5; Jon Morton 5, 2, ; Greg Wood 5; Elliot Dempsey 5; Jack Barton 5; Frankie Morgan 5.