After heavy rains throughout the morning, the weather eased off in time for this challenging match played by the Folkestone 2ndXV.
The team was, again, a new group due to a high number of unavailable players and some players (Ryan Farrow, Drew Woolford, Ben Stringer) getting an opportunity to play for the first team.
Shepherd Neame Premier 2 East.
After heavy rains throughout the morning, the weather eased off in time for this challenging match played by the Folkestone Seconds team. The team was, again, a new group due to a high number of unavailable players and some players (Ryan Farrow, Drew Woolford, Ben Stringer) getting an opportunity to play for the first team.
It was a tough match, against a very well trained and drilled Medway side, but Folkestone consistently showed moments of talent and some longer periods of strong and effective team defence.
The match started with Medway losing their own line out after the kick-off, allowing the Folkestone fly-half Fraser Nurse to clear their lines. Medway continued to recycle the ball quickly using a strong rucking tactic, and run through some well practised back line moves. Folkestone's defence was strong and frequently aggressive enough to force Medway to make consistent errors and turn over the ball. The Folkestone pack worked hard to quickly stop any mauls, and disrupt Medways play on the ball. The pack, including a strong return for Harry Paton, scrummaged strongly only losing when the slippy ground gave way. Rob Jackson (usually 3rd team captain) worked hard and effectively in the very physical rucks, with the ball quickly distributed by scrum-half Lewis Howland through the centre combination of James Perry and Alex Pritchard, who ran hard taking the game back to Medway defence.
Folkestone won a series of penalties for offside offences allowing Fraser Nurse to kick great distance for territory and cut the Medway threat short. This was the theme of the first-half, pressure through hard working defence by both the Folkestone pack and the backs, stopping Medway attacking threats again and again. Folkestone enjoyed a well worked break from the back line with James Perry busting through and passing to Alex Pritchard who made a superb long distance kick from hand to take a line out to within 10 metres of the Medway line.
Medway cleared their lines with long distance kicks each time Folkestone encroached into their 22, with another young Folkestone Academy player, Jonathan Spearpoint confidently dealing with the high balls in the air and combining well with his two wingers of Ryan Morgan and Guy Ellis to distribute and counter attack until support arrived.
The first half ended on a last play try for Medway, with Folkestone finally turning the ball over in their own ruck allowing Medway to take advantage of a scramble defence and score through their back line.
Half Time 7-0 to Medway.
Folkestone regrouped at half time, frustrated to let score through after so much hard work in defence.
For the second half, Medway made some changes to their second row, back row and back line, which immediately showed a difference with cleaner and better execution of their pre-planned plays. Folkestone continued to defend well, with exceptional tackling from Fraser Nurse at both fly-half positions and covering across pitch to tackle break away players into touch. There was hard work from Ben Gunn, Kieran Smith, Peter Silvey and Tyler Linch to defend against heavy rucks and forward Medway attacks. Eventually the pressure told and Medway made an excellent score down the left wing after pushing hard through the forwards up the middle of the pitch. Territory play eventually paid off with a penalty kick by Ryan Morgan for Folkestone directly in front of the posts keeping the 14 points Medway scored within touching distance. 14-3
Then came two forwards dominated tries from Medway, with effective mauling, and pick and drives eventually breaking through tired Folkestone forward defences. Medway scored again through a well worked backs move, but a now battered and tired Folkestone resolved to make a last effort in the final ten minutes. Folkestone started to attack more and made some great attacking lines run by forwards Warren Blandford, and Rob Jackson supported by quick play from Fraser Nurse and James Perry. But Medways defence was still firm with further replacements made and the match finished 38-3.
Overall it was a hard fought match from a young and unknown team from the Folkestone Seconds, with great work from the younger players stepping up and showing that they are confident to play at this level of senior rugby, including Ryan Morgan, Guy Ellis and Jonathan Spearpoint.
Special mention goes to Lewis Howland for playing as long as he could, and as hard as he did, until the deadly effects of Man Flu forced him off.
The man of the match was obviously Fraser Nurse, who shall now be known as 'The Wall of Fraser' for his ferocious and superbly timed tackling to inspire the defence of everyone else around him, and for his excellent kicking for distance from hand to pressure Medway.
Team: 15. Jonathan Spearpoint; 14. Guy Ellis, 13. Alex Pritchard, 12. James Perry, 11. Ryan Morgan; 10. Fraser Nurse, 9. Lewis Howland; 1. Warren Blandford, 2. Alex Box, 3. Harry Paton; 4. Ben Gunn, 5. Rob Jackson; 6. Peter Silvey, 7. Kieran Smith, 8. Tyler Linch,
Sub: Jake Ellis (replaced Lewis Howland)
