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Sat 14 Dec 2013 · Shepherd Neame Premier Division 2 East
Ashford II
2nd XV
26
10
Tries: G Flatman, A BoxYellow Carded: J Woolford
This was frustrating game to play as well as a frustrating result!
Alex Ruddock16 Dec 2013 - 00:06
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Folkestone Seconds are now starting to get a few names regularly appearing for the side, but injuries and missing players to key positions with prop and scrum-half, still means this is a side that had never really worked together before. was because our
14th December 2013 Ashford 2nds 26 Folkestone 2nds 10
Shepherd Neame Premier 2 East Match Report by Alex Box
This was frustrating game to play as well as a frustrating result!
Folkestone Seconds are now starting to get a few names regularly appearing for the side, but injuries and missing players to key positions with prop and scrum-half, still means this is a side that had never really worked together before.
The pre-game instructions from the Ref took an interesting turn, with a BBC Kent radio reporter recording the proceedings. This was because our Ref, a Stetson wearing Canadian, lives in Belgium and travels over every weekend to referee an Ashford game, and was being interviewed and profiled for a special report on the local radio.
These two teams last met, with Folkestone gaining a 38-3 home win, but this was apparently a partly changed Ashford Seconds team we now faced, with some more experienced faces now amongst the Ashford squad.
This previous result will explain the first 10 minutes of the match, with a constant and very motivated attack being maintained from Ashford. They pressured our defence, and gained the penalty advantage to take a lineout position further down the pitch. A handling error from Ashford meant a scrum restart for Folkestone 15 metre from their line, but the possession got turned back over to Ashford. They won their scrum ball, and used the blind side to burst the Folkestone defence and take their first try of the match.
A second score for Ashford came shortly after that too, with a breakaway try from their very quick and talented back three. The Ashford winger, breaking through the back line, hesitating to see if he should pass, but quickly backed himself and streaked half way down the pitch to score.
The Folkestone forwards were determined to change the game, and more aggression, speed and dominance started to tell in the breakdown, with great work from Bob Porter, Ben Stringer, Tony Bass and Kieran Smith in the tight.
However, Folkestone were left frustrated with handling errors appearing in the back line, and possession being kicked away without any return. Our ‘celebrity’ Referee was part of Folkestone problem, unintentionally standing in the 9-10 channel a few times meant little attack and very frustrated Folkestone back line.
Ryan Farrow and James Woolford worked hard to combine and make some space for themselves, but the little possession and forced errors, this had a rare impact in the first half.
The Folkestone back three of Guy Ellis, Ryan Morgan and Alex Pritchard, were great under the high balls, and made good work of running a counter attack back into Ashford.
The scrum was under a lot of pressure, with Ashford able to get the push over the Folkestone pack on a few occasions. But, Folkestone did re-arrange to start to hold off the string Ashford attack through their scrum. With special mentions to Pete White and Bob Porter always putting their necks on line, and never losing confidence.
Ashford managed to take advantage of some consistent penalties for Folkestone indiscipline, and gained a lot of territory and time attacking the Folkestone line, eventually scoring, and making the half time score 19-0 to Ashford.
Half-time meant a few changes, with James Woolford moving to scrum half, Jamie Curtis replacing an injured Ryan Farrow, and George Flatman replacing an injured Kieran Smith.
Folkestone made an impact for most of the second half, with a fantastic time in attack through hard forward driving and strong direct running from Dan Woolford and his cousin James.
Folkestone nearly had try between the posts when Tony Bass went over with a crash ball, but the Ref determined that the ball had been held up. Bu this was quickly followed with a fantastic try from replacement George Flatman, who ran straight through the Ashford forward defence to score by the posts, with an outstretched arm over the line. The Folkestone pressure continued and a great break was made by Jamie Curtis, who nearly went clear but for some very quick defence from Ashford.
A few minutes later, Folkestone got a penalty decision on the halfway line, and kicked the ball to touch. Folkestone took a clean lineout drive and marched to within 10 metres of the Ashford line. Alex Box took the ball from the rear of driving pack, to run down the blind side and broke through the Ashford tackler to score falling over the line.
The game started to get a bit fractious, as Ashford started to match the higher pace Folkestone was playing for the beginning of the second half, with harder hits and stronger scrums from Ashford turning the pressure up. A yellow card for continued slowing of the ball in the breakdown, meant that Folkestone could cope with some of this pressure, but another break away try from the quick Ashford back three meant Ashford stretched their lead.
A few minutes later, and things got harder for Folkestone with a yellow card for James Woolford who was not the referees friend. Then a nasty injury to George Flatman, six minutes from time, who could not move from the pitch meant the game was called and agreed finished by the captains and referee. With a final score of 26-10 to Ashford.
George was taken to hospital by ambulance, and has a dented bone, torn calf, and damaged nerve. But thankfully no operation was needed to repair the nerve, so he should be home with his family on Monday, and then be relaxing and healing over the Christmas holiday.
There were some very strong performances from Ben Stringer and Tony Bass, and great work with very limited ball from Dan Woolford. But, a genuinely deserved recipient of the Man of the Match goes to George Flatman. Not a sympathy award, but recognition for being so strong in his running attack, and defence, helping to turn the game after half time.
Team: 15. Alex Pritchard; 14. Guy Ellis, 13. Ryan Farrow, 12. James Woolford, 11. Ryan Morgan; 10. Dan Woolford
9. Luke Simpson; 1. Pete White, 2. Alex Box (Capt. 1 Try), 3. Bob Porter; 4. Ben Gunn, 5. Ben Stringer; 6. Jake Ellis, 7. Tony Bass, 8.Kieran Smith
Subs: 16. George Flatman (1 Try), 17. Jamie Curtis.
Photo by Emma Box
Shepherd Neame Premier 2 East Match Report by Alex Box
This was frustrating game to play as well as a frustrating result!
Folkestone Seconds are now starting to get a few names regularly appearing for the side, but injuries and missing players to key positions with prop and scrum-half, still means this is a side that had never really worked together before.
The pre-game instructions from the Ref took an interesting turn, with a BBC Kent radio reporter recording the proceedings. This was because our Ref, a Stetson wearing Canadian, lives in Belgium and travels over every weekend to referee an Ashford game, and was being interviewed and profiled for a special report on the local radio.
These two teams last met, with Folkestone gaining a 38-3 home win, but this was apparently a partly changed Ashford Seconds team we now faced, with some more experienced faces now amongst the Ashford squad.
This previous result will explain the first 10 minutes of the match, with a constant and very motivated attack being maintained from Ashford. They pressured our defence, and gained the penalty advantage to take a lineout position further down the pitch. A handling error from Ashford meant a scrum restart for Folkestone 15 metre from their line, but the possession got turned back over to Ashford. They won their scrum ball, and used the blind side to burst the Folkestone defence and take their first try of the match.
A second score for Ashford came shortly after that too, with a breakaway try from their very quick and talented back three. The Ashford winger, breaking through the back line, hesitating to see if he should pass, but quickly backed himself and streaked half way down the pitch to score.
The Folkestone forwards were determined to change the game, and more aggression, speed and dominance started to tell in the breakdown, with great work from Bob Porter, Ben Stringer, Tony Bass and Kieran Smith in the tight.
However, Folkestone were left frustrated with handling errors appearing in the back line, and possession being kicked away without any return. Our ‘celebrity’ Referee was part of Folkestone problem, unintentionally standing in the 9-10 channel a few times meant little attack and very frustrated Folkestone back line.
Ryan Farrow and James Woolford worked hard to combine and make some space for themselves, but the little possession and forced errors, this had a rare impact in the first half.
The Folkestone back three of Guy Ellis, Ryan Morgan and Alex Pritchard, were great under the high balls, and made good work of running a counter attack back into Ashford.
The scrum was under a lot of pressure, with Ashford able to get the push over the Folkestone pack on a few occasions. But, Folkestone did re-arrange to start to hold off the string Ashford attack through their scrum. With special mentions to Pete White and Bob Porter always putting their necks on line, and never losing confidence.
Ashford managed to take advantage of some consistent penalties for Folkestone indiscipline, and gained a lot of territory and time attacking the Folkestone line, eventually scoring, and making the half time score 19-0 to Ashford.
Half-time meant a few changes, with James Woolford moving to scrum half, Jamie Curtis replacing an injured Ryan Farrow, and George Flatman replacing an injured Kieran Smith.
Folkestone made an impact for most of the second half, with a fantastic time in attack through hard forward driving and strong direct running from Dan Woolford and his cousin James.
Folkestone nearly had try between the posts when Tony Bass went over with a crash ball, but the Ref determined that the ball had been held up. Bu this was quickly followed with a fantastic try from replacement George Flatman, who ran straight through the Ashford forward defence to score by the posts, with an outstretched arm over the line. The Folkestone pressure continued and a great break was made by Jamie Curtis, who nearly went clear but for some very quick defence from Ashford.
A few minutes later, Folkestone got a penalty decision on the halfway line, and kicked the ball to touch. Folkestone took a clean lineout drive and marched to within 10 metres of the Ashford line. Alex Box took the ball from the rear of driving pack, to run down the blind side and broke through the Ashford tackler to score falling over the line.
The game started to get a bit fractious, as Ashford started to match the higher pace Folkestone was playing for the beginning of the second half, with harder hits and stronger scrums from Ashford turning the pressure up. A yellow card for continued slowing of the ball in the breakdown, meant that Folkestone could cope with some of this pressure, but another break away try from the quick Ashford back three meant Ashford stretched their lead.
A few minutes later, and things got harder for Folkestone with a yellow card for James Woolford who was not the referees friend. Then a nasty injury to George Flatman, six minutes from time, who could not move from the pitch meant the game was called and agreed finished by the captains and referee. With a final score of 26-10 to Ashford.
George was taken to hospital by ambulance, and has a dented bone, torn calf, and damaged nerve. But thankfully no operation was needed to repair the nerve, so he should be home with his family on Monday, and then be relaxing and healing over the Christmas holiday.
There were some very strong performances from Ben Stringer and Tony Bass, and great work with very limited ball from Dan Woolford. But, a genuinely deserved recipient of the Man of the Match goes to George Flatman. Not a sympathy award, but recognition for being so strong in his running attack, and defence, helping to turn the game after half time.
Team: 15. Alex Pritchard; 14. Guy Ellis, 13. Ryan Farrow, 12. James Woolford, 11. Ryan Morgan; 10. Dan Woolford
9. Luke Simpson; 1. Pete White, 2. Alex Box (Capt. 1 Try), 3. Bob Porter; 4. Ben Gunn, 5. Ben Stringer; 6. Jake Ellis, 7. Tony Bass, 8.Kieran Smith
Subs: 16. George Flatman (1 Try), 17. Jamie Curtis.
Photo by Emma Box
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