It's a pity that Folkestone could not maintain the standard that they reached in the first half into the second half having scored 43 point in the first 40 minutes. They lost the second half 5 - 7 !!!
It's also regretted that Captain Alex Box is unable to turn out this side every week as they didn't stop attacking and the running and inter-passing was a pleasure to watch (mainly in the first half!!!).
Ryan Farrow had a tremendous influence on the game with the Coaches trying him at No. 8 whereas he normally plays in the centre. His contribution of three tries and numerous assists marks him down perhaps for a permanent change of position.
Folkestone opened the score within two minutes when Rob Gardner and Daniel Woolford combined to put the latter into the corner for an unconverted try. It was also good to see Mark Bartlett and David Ballard back after a long lay-offs.
The three-quarter line of Jade McCaffrey, Rob Gardner, John Eustace and Fraser Nurse were unstoppable and with the support of Greg Wood and Dan Woolford at half back, kept the ball flowing and producing some lovely running lines.
John Eustace helped Rob Gardner to the next try but the conversion was missed making it 10 - 0.
John Eustace was showing his strength in the centre by punching holes in the Deal-Bettes defence and those around him were able to feed off him. He was instrumental in the next score when he chipped ahead in the home half to see both Fraser Nurse and Ryan Farrow outpace the Deal-Betteshanger defence for Ryan Farrow to win the touch down. James Mead converted from the touchline to make it 17 - 0.
Rob Gardner then had a near miss on the right side of the field but the re-cycled ball flew across the three-quarter line and developed into a loose maul from which Scott Stewart scored under a pile of bodies. James Mead converted 24 - 0.
Scotty Stewart then came into his own to score again in the corner, handing off their number 10 for fifteen metres or so, for Mead again to convert. 31 - 0. Deal-Betteshanger were unable to contain the constant waves of attack, not only from the threes but the pack was also getting involved with Alex Box leading the fore, ably supported by Adam Fullerton and Bartlett as the front row contingent.
Farrow scored again when the Folkestone pack walked the scrum forward from the home 5 metre line to see him pick it out of the back row and dive over. No Conversion 38-0.
Mark Bartlett then marked his return from injury by ploughing through a host of forwards to score in the corner for James Mead to convert which left the score 43 - 0 at half time.
After the break it was like watching a different side. They were unable to put a string of passes together as they did in the first half and allowed Deal-Bettes to get back into the game. The home side opened the scoring early in the half with a break through the middle and scored under the posts for an easy conversion. 43 - 7. Folkestone still tried to move the ball but found the defence stronger and more capable of dealing with any attack. Rob Gardner was brought down close to the line but that was as near as they got until they found some cohesion and the ball flew across the park to see Chris Alexander score way out and the missed conversion made the final score 48 - 7.
I'm sure Alex Box would be pleased if only two thirds of his players in this game could turn out for next week's match against Medway at home.

Team: James Mead; Jade McCaffrey, Rob Gardner, John Eustace, Fraser Nurse; Daniel Woolford, Greg Wood; Adam Fullerton, Alex Box (Capt.), Mark Bartlett; David Ballard, Scott Stewart; Dan Cowell, Chris Alexander, Ryan Farrow.

Subs:Jeremy Cowell, Saul Phillips, Terry Holt.

Scorers: Daniel Woolford 5; Rob Gardner 5; Ryan Farrow 5, 5; James Mead 2, 2, 2, 2; Scott Stewart 5, 5; Mark Bartlett 5; Chris Alexander 5.