A slow start for the U13's in their Semi-final

Semi-Final East Kent Tournament

Sunday 7th December 2014 Report by Alison Hughes

A promising start by Folkestone was quashed when Canterbury ran straight through Folkestone’s ranks and secured an excellent try and conversion. However Folkestone regrouped and produced some excellent tackling and fierce scrummaging, most notably by Johnnie Hobbs and Tom Whelan. Canterbury were definitely not out and delivered some excellent passing and storming runs only to meet Freddie Faiers and Ted Bean who soon put a stop to that! Folkestone then found themselves up in Canterbury’s 22 thanks to a penalty by Canterbury and Captain Johnnie Hobbs drove over the line for Folkestone’s first try, unfortunately no conversion. Canterbury responded by surging towards Folkestone’s 22 but were stopped by a determined Aurelien Austin. TJ Leather caught and drove the ball to give Folkestone excellent ground but a try by Freddie Faiers was not allowed.

The second half saw another striding run down field by Canterbury only to find themselves halted by a determined Joseph Faiers who undoubtedly put in a try-saving tackle. Will Rayner recovered possession from a dodgy line out by Folkestone when the ball went soaring overhead. Folkestone managed to hold up Canterbury and Johnnie Hobbs and Will Rayner gained Folkestone a huge amount of ground with Will Rayner crashing over the line. No conversion. Ciaran Hughes took control of Canterbury’s line out and disrupt their play with the rest of the pack in support. Dylan Barnes put in some particularly hard hitting tackles and Tom Whelan ran half the pitch before Canterbury’s defence kicked in. Ted Bean finished Folkestone’s try tally off and Aurelien Austin added a super conversion to top off a great win by Folkestone.

Folkestone Squad: Aurelien Austin, Dylan Barnes, Ted Bean, Tiarnan Canning, Harry Curtis, Theo Dillon, Freddie Faiers, Joseph Faiers, Kai Freeth, Johnnie Hobbs (Captain), Ciaran Hughes, James Hughes, James Leather, TJ Leather, Callum Little, Connor O’Brien, William Mead, William Rayner, Finley Russell, Oliver Turner, Thomas Whelan, Toby Wills.