A hard day at the office for a mixed Folkestone Second team squad.
This was always going to be a tough game, with Sevenoaks the undefeated league leaders for fourteen matches and a Folkestone second team squad that is a mix of a few regular 2s, and appreciated help from some visitors and third team players.
report by Alex Box
A hard day at the office for a mixed Folkestone Second team squad.
This was always going to be a tough game, with Sevenoaks the undefeated league leaders for fourteen matches and a Folkestone second team squad that is a mix of a few regular 2s, and appreciated help from some visitors and third team players.
The start of the match began with Sevenoaks catching Folkestone napping, as the visiting opposition moved the ball wide and scored in the far corner. Another try for Sevenoaks followed shortly. So, after a little regrouping chat under our own posts, the work rate and defence from the forwards Ewan Bartlett, Mark Bartlett and Anthony Bass, started to slow the Sevenoaks game plan down. However Sevenoaks gained another breakaway try, after being held up over the line, with great defensive efforts from Damien Tyson and Alex Pritchard. Folkestone started to get some hold on the game, with some strong attacking runs from Ashley Gilligan and Ryan Farrow. With an evergreen Ian Spicer controlling play well from the scrum half position.
Sevenoaks again camped themselves on the Folkestone try line, and after a scrum restart were held up over the line again. This then became a theme, run by the Bartlett Bros. and help from the rest of the pack too, with a further three tries held up over the line in short succession. Sevenoaks became frustrated, and chose to move the ball wide and fast, resulting in a try in the far corner again. Folkestone nearly finished the first half with a score, with a great breakaway move started by Ryan Farrow, who combined with Ewan Bartlett and Luke Simpson, but eventually dragged down just metres short.
The half time talk focused in the need for more aggression and control over the rucks. The forwards then started to show this in the second half, with string of defensive work from Rob Jackson and Tyler Linch. Alex Pritchard had been making a good impact on the game, but then left the pitch injured. Which meant Tim Page returned to Folkestone colours after a two year absence. Jake Ellis moved into the back line, and Tim Page took up position in the second row.
Ryan Morgan and Jamie Curtis were good as the back line defence, with Ryan getting more involved in the harder defensive work, making a good difference to Sevenoaks attacks. The scrum started to gain some benefit, with a couple of advantages gained against possession, with controlling a turning scrum. And then Sevenoaks repaying exactly the same favour and retaking the scrum shortly after.
Folkestone continued to battle in the forward breakdowns, and a few good chances were made through Ryan Farrow, Damian Tyson and Jamie Curtis was excellent under the high ball at full back. But the pressure began to grow throughout the second half and four more tries were scored by a well drilled and effective Sevenoaks back line, with Folkestone heads starting to drop a little more with each score.
The team was well beaten by a very good Sevenoaks side, but still enjoyed a competitive game into which everyone put some good effort.
Special mention needs to go to Mark Bartlett for good scrummaging and excellent defence. Ian Spicer for bringing much needed experience as well as skill to both the scrum half and the fly half roles he played during the game.
But the man of the match is an easy decision, with Marks younger brother, Ewan Bartlett visiting from his Loughborough University team. He put in incredible defence and stopped further certain scores, but also made himself as a prop look like a natural back, when combining with the back line with fast and aggressive attack and great handling skills.
Team:
15. Jamie Curtis; 14. Luke Simpson, 13. Damian Tyson, 12. Ryan Farrow, 11. Ryan Morgan; 10. Alex Pritchard, 9. Ian Spicer; 1. Mark Bartlett, 2. Alex Box, 3. Ewan Bartlett; 4. Rob Jackson, 5. Tyler Linch; 6. Jake Ellis, 7. Anthony Bass, 8. Ashley Gilligan.
Sub: Tim Page.
(For League purposes the maximum points difference in a match is 40 points, hence the result for the League is 0 - 40.)