Bromley 8 FRFC 13

I doubt I was alone in having pessimistic thoughts about this game. Two weeks ago I watched Folkestone lose to Bromley by a single point and seven days ago I watched as Horsham clinically took Folkestone apart at the New Burlington in one of the worst Folkestone performances I’ve ever seen. And so to today’s match, which saw Folkestone, yet again, suffering from unavailable and injured players including their skipper, Richard Lama and top try scorer, Ben Brooks, as well as Jon Morton and Mike Gardner who have been outstanding so far this season, all key players. To emphasise the unavailability problem Folkestone could muster only 2 substitutes when they should have had 4. Players were drafted in from Development Squad coach, Keith Howland’s conveyor belt of talent. In came Tom Carvill, Thommo Murray, Jack Brooks, Lewis Howland, Tim Wood and Aaron Robbins and they all played their part in this victory over Bromley. Also making an impressive debut was Adam Fullerton in the pack.
From the kick off Bromley were on the attack as Folkestone failed to deal with the kick-off as everybody hoped somebody else would catch the ball. Bromley were soon in the Folkestone 22 and in the 3rd minute they won a very kickable penalty which would have given them the lead but it was missed. Suddenly Folkestone surged forward and their travelling supporters were greatly encouraged as they ran the ball down the pitch. There was a spirit in the team that didn’t exist just 7 days ago. Will Massey was given the captaincy and he was inspirational as he led his team from the front. Massey has always been a feisty player, sometimes too feisty but given the honour of the captaincy he encouraged his team mates and soon they were firing on all cylinders. In the 10th minute Folkestone were inside the home 22 but turned the ball over. As the Folkestone back line powered forward Bromley tried to boot the ball clear but Scotty Evans was up in the kicker’s face to charge the ball down and chase it over the line to score. 0-5.
The Folkestone pack were driving their opponents backwards and the Stones’ backs were playing with confidence as they threw the ball around. Folkestone almost doubled their score when Seyhan Fell stormed down the right wing and put in a clever angled kick through hoping to catch the home defence asleep. Brad Pearson read the kick and sprinted after the ball missing the touchdown by inches. The score was missed but Bromley were being pinned back and the Stones’ confidence was growing.
I’ve mentioned Richie Bowen often in earlier reports and he started the move for the next score as he powered his way up the pitch punching a hole in the defence. He was eventually stopped but he set the ball perfectly for his team and quick distribution from Lewis Howland to Scotty Evans allowed Evans to find Brad Pearson coming from his full back position to take the ball at full speed and this powerful youngster was unstoppable. 0-10.
Bromley got back into the game with a superb score which began when one of their props threw an outrageously good dummy pass which wrong-footed the entire Stones defence and Bromley were in on the right wing. It was a beautiful move. 5-10.
The game was now going back and fore as defences worked hard to stop any scores. Folkestone supporters began to believe that their favourites could do it and the spirit on the pitch was obvious to everybody with Massey driving his team on.
Late in the first half Folkestone increased their score with a Brad Pearson penalty after the Stones pack won a line-out and drove the home team back into their own 22. The only way the drive could be stopped was to give away the penalty and Pearson snapped it up. 5-13.
There was only one score in the second half, a penalty for the home team which reduced the deficit to 8-13. The final 20 minutes saw rugby as exciting as you could see anywhere. Bromley knew a converted try would give them the game and they came very close but when they did look to have beaten the Folkestone defence they messed up a pass and gave Folkestone the chance to clear. Both sets of supporters were looking at their watches as the sun went down and the game was on a knife-edge. Come the hour comes the man and early in that thrilling second half Folkestone substitute Kieron Johnson came onto the pitch. Kieron has, just this season, started playing rugby after missing several seasons through a horrendous injury which almost left him paralysed. He came on to the pitch as his team were looking fragile and the home team were sniffing a chance. Johnson has had to sit back for the past few seasons watching his younger brother, Jake, another unavailable player today, win rave reviews for his performances. But today was Kieron’s day. He was everywhere making great tackles and getting to the breakdown before anybody else winning turn-overs and penalties to release the pressure on his team. He was on the pitch for just 30 minutes but what a 30 minutes it was and he is the Folkestone Man of the Match today.
So this spirited and determined squad move into the 3rd round of the Senior Vase. But of more value they found their form again. I think Bromley, too, had a slightly weakend team today and in my opinion they were second best today but this one could have gone either way. Had Bromley won the game with a converted try no Folkestone supporter could complain. It was so very close and I feared for my heart as the clock slowly moved toward the 80th minute. Matches between these 2 teams have always been tight and today’s was a tight terrific game.
Playing well today and under consideration for the Man of the Match award was Scotty Evans who was spreading the ball out with confidence and trying a variety of attacking options. Richie Bowen, as usual, put in a strong dynamic performance. He has phenomenal power with the ball in his hands. Bradley Pearson has been a revelation since he forced his way into the 1st XV squad. He is cool in defence and can surge into attacks with his speed and power. In the second row Ben Flatman was back to his best making lots of yardage with the ball. I was very impressed with the front row of Ross Carrigan, Will Massey and Tom Carvill and when he came on for his debut Aaron Robbins was impressiveand another debutant, Adam Fullerton was doing a lot of good work at the back of the scrum.
On Saturday it’s back to league action at the New Burlington when Uckfield visit with Folkestone needing to win if they want to make any impact on the league table. It will be a tough match but, I hope for my health, that it will not be as thrilling as this one today.
Squad:
Will Massey, Ross Carrigan, Tom Carvill, Moose Murray, Ben Flatman, Richard Bowen, Tim Wood, Adam Fullerton, Aaron Robbins, Kieron Johnson, Lewis Howland, Scotty Evans, Jack Brooks, Chris Petley, Thommo Murray, Seyhan Fell, Bradley Pearson

A LATE ADDITION TO THE REPORT:

Moose Murray has said that I should have mentioned how good the referee was at this game. Moose is right. I am quick to criticise referees and we all know about the ref at the league match at Bromley! Saturday's ref was very very good. So thanks Moose for putting me right.