As it was the team was made up of a mixture of 2nds, 3rds and 4ths and I initially had my doubts as to whether they could cope with the visitors.

Folkestone 2nds 29 v Canterbury 15
by Steve Hughes

With thirty eight Folkestone players unavailable this week the Fourth XV game was cancelled and it was fortunate that Canterbury called off the 3rd XV fixture due to waterlogged grounds, otherwise the 2nds would be scratching for a side. As it was the team was made up of a mixture of 2nds, 3rds and 4ths and I initially had my doubts as to whether they could cope with the visitors. However my doubts were dispelled and enabled some of the players from the lower sides to show their capabilities. For the first twenty minutes the game was played within the 22 metre lines with neither side showing any dominance on a dry day with very little wind.
Ryan Morgan opened the score for Folkestone when he burst away from a loose maul on the left wing to charge up the touchline and score but was unable to convert his own try. 5 - 0. The forward battle was fairly even and it was good to see Bob Porter and Peter White holding their own in the front row and Justin Lloyd-Cowden and Tony Bass causing problems for the opposition on the flanks.
Folkestone were now getting the better of the pressure, led by Captain Alex Box, Liam Regardsoe and Ben Stringer, which provided them with territorial advantage. This pressure converted into points when Nick Foster fed Dan Woolford at outside half with Ryan Farrow taking the ball on the burst to score which Ryan Morgan converted 12 - 0.
I was impressed to see how the number of younger players in the side - Nick Foster, Fraser Nurse, Guy Ellis, Ryan Morgan, Ryan Farrow and Liam Regardsoe - were able to step up to the mark and hold their own at this level. Ryan Farrow then scored a cracker of a try by crashing through on to a ball from Dan Woolford which Ryan Morgan again converted giving Folkestone a lead of 19 - 0. The penalty count against Folkestone kept mounting, giving Canterbury the opportunity to relieve pressure time and time again. From one such penalty they took a quick tap ball and moved it quickly across the line to score an unconverted try in the corner. 19 - 5. A similar move looked to increase their score but for a crunching tackle by Fraser Nurse. Half time score 19 - 5.
Folkestone were playing some good rugby in patches but were not united as a team - which I suppose could be expected - but a good display by Dan Woolford both in attack and defence kept his side on the offensive.
Having said that, Canterbury then scored two tries in quick succession to narrow the margin to 19 - 15. Folkestone lacked focus allowing Canterbury back into the match and on several occasions were indecisive, giving the onus to the visitors.
A new Italian import, Lorenzo Lupi,arrived on Monday and sought the Club out for a game and replaced Peter White and it will be interesting to see his progress in the next few weeks when he gets fit. Dan Morgan and Damien Tyson also entered the fray and another try by Ryan Farrow who scored after it appeared he had been held in the tackle, allowed Folkestone breathing space. 24 - 15. Strong runs by both Ben Stringer and Liam Regardsoe gained valuable ground.
Ryan Farrow then provided an 'assist' for a good try by Guy Ellis to score in the corner -29 - 15 neither try was converted and Folkestone ran out comfortable winners as it started to get dark....
An enjoyable match to watch with plenty of open rugby and my Man of the Match was Ryan Farrow though I would mention that he needs to occasionally look at the players outside him who could be in a better position. Dan Woolford needs a mention as does Bob Porter who completed a comprehensive full shift in the front row having been elevated from the Fourth XV. Congratulations also to the youngsters who are all destined for elevation in the near future.
Team: Alex Prichard; Guy Ellis, Fraser Nurse, Ryan Farrow, Ryan Morgan; Dan Woolford Nick Foster; Bob Porter, Alex Box (Capt.), Peter White, Liam Regardsoe, Tony Bass, Justin Lloyd-Cowden, Ben Stringer and Jake Ellis.
Subs:- Dan Morgan, Damien Tyson, Terry Holt, Lorenzo Lupi.