U14s play some excellent rugby in defeat at Tunbridge Wells

A depleted squad of 18 headed to Tunbridge Wells for what proved to be an excellent day of rugby. Some players were in very unfamiliar roles but were on a steep learning curve as Wells were playing fast quality ball from the whistle. There seemed no early advantage for either side, and the tackling was very effective and physical from both sides. Folkestone settled down into a more expansive game and using the backs to cut through TWs defence placed Harry Wren within a good physical drive distance for the line to go over for Folkestone's first try. The angle looked too much for Jack Hobbs, but he converted with a great kick and we were seven points up. The six strong TWs coaching team went very quiet, they knew we had a depleted squad and were a bit taken aback by the early score against.

After a massive effort TWs pushed Folkestone back to within a metre of their try line, and wave after wave of attacks came, all to be repelled with a very gritty and physical response. Dan Croker delighting in some big hits. After an excellent clearance kick by Jack Hobbs Folkestone pushed back up field into TW territory, but couldn't capitalize on good running by Teds Morris and Tyler Russell; the ball being knocked forward and after a rally through the middle TW scored with a conversion to follow. TWs spirits were boosted and they capitalized with great forwards play to steal ball and keep it in the rucks. They pushed up to take a further two tries, one of which was converted. At half time the score was Tunbridge Wells 19 Folkestone 7.

A short halftime talk from Folkestone’s coach, and while TW made eight substitutions, Folkestone made a couple of changes in personnel with Isaac Bolton moving from scrum half to fullback to give the battered Hobbsie a rest. Jack Lewis came into Scrum half and played well, delivering quick ball to allow the backs to get moving and Harry Wren to score again, converted by Jack Hobbs. The wingers were anxious to show their class and Rory Morgan ran in from the half way line with one of his typical jinking, pacey runs. Teds Morris stepped up to kick and earned us another two points. TWs were very determined and pushed Stones back with quality wide ball and solid work from their forwards. They came up against the same determined defence we had used in the first half and from a metre out Monty scored his first try for TW. The crowd went wild; it seemed this was quite an
event we could all celebrate. We sustained a couple of injuries that meant a re-jigging of the team
Alistair Sutton went into Tight head to replace a hobbling Burt Guilfoyle, Billi Stonebridge replaced Scotty McAdam at centre who went to Flanker to replace an injured Tyler Russell, and Jack Hobbs came back on into full back. Matt Karim replaced Alex Price at number eight. Amazingly we still
gave an excellent push in the scrum which opened up a lovely flowing run from the backs to be stopped then recycled to loose head prop Louis Santer who ran in for our final try. Billi Stonebridge was of a different opinion though and made two superb runs at the TW line with terrific confidence.
Our other winger was threatening to score with a couple of thwarted runs, and finally ran one in from the half way line stepping and shrugging off tackles and placed the ball for a try, this was disallowed for an apparent foot out in his run.

So in summary; a defeat for Folkestone U14s, their first this season. But not one that we are overly- concerned about. We came up against a very well drilled squad of TW players, and we really gave them a game. The consensus from all coaches and parents was that we had seen a really good game of thrilling rugby, and regardless of the result we had really enjoyed it!! We look forward to trying to fit in a rematch later in the season. TW 31 Folkestone 26

Man of the match scrum half Isaac Bolton. Playing well under a lot of pressure in a new role.

SQUAD: Connor leather, Louis Santer ( Capt) Burt Guilfoyle, Charlie Hewitt, Luke Thorpe, Tyler Russell, Dan Croker, Alex Price, Matt Karim, Teds Morris, Scotty McAdam, Harry Wren, Rory Morgan, Rob Sherrard, Jack Hobbs, Alistair Sutton, Isaac Bolton, Billi Stonebridge, Jack Lewis.