An unusually sparse crowd missed the lunchtime start of Folkestone’s return match with Dartfordians.

16th November 2013 London & S.E. Senior Vase – Round 2

An unusually sparse crowd missed the lunchtime start of Folkestone’s return match with Dartfordians. With 8 regular first team players rested or unavailable, coach Darren Molloy brought a new look to the team that narrowly lost to the same opponents just two weeks previously. It did mean that some players were taking up other positions than their usual – but versatility is essential in amateur rugby.
The weather and the playing conditions were excellent and in the wide spaces the Folkestone pitch affords, a fast and open game by the home side was anticipated.
But Dartfordians are big and strong – and, just as the previous game, they showed a solid defence – but later on displayed some excellent attacking rugby that proved to be the downfall of the ‘Stones.
In the opening minutes Folkestone did well to repel four determined attacks by the visitors – but Jack Cox put in a relieving kick 55 metres down the unguarded middle of the field. Dartfordians gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Seyhan Fell converted. 3-0.
But immediately the pressure was back on the Folkestone line and a massive defensive effort was unfortunately undone when the ball popped up for Dartfordians to score a deserved try on the left – converted for a 3–7 lead. Jack Cox was yellow carded during one of the countless melees on the Folkestone line.
‘Stones held on to ground advantage from the resumption and Jon Morton’s grub kick put them within 5 metres. Tom Carvill and Ben Stringer were formidable in the forward battle and when Ben Stringer was illegally held, Seyhan Fell made no mistake with the ensuing penalty. 6-7.
Again a kick off provided an attacking platform for the visitors and again the defensive wall had to be strong to stop attacks on both wings - and down the centre. Warren Blandford hoofed the ball 45 metres downfield for the home team to set up a similar series of attacking moves, but by the forwards. Dartfordians transgressed to their cost and Fell gave Folkestone a 9–7 lead from a well taken penalty kick.
Such was the ebb and flow of this game that straight from the kick off the opposition Number 8 was given a clear way through to score under the posts and a 9–14 lead at half-time.
There was not much between the teams and the young ‘Stones were full of enthusiasm – but the Dartfordians forwards were just beginning to get on top. Folkestone were forced into kicking the ball out of defence – only to give possession away. Ben Stringer and Jack Cox were substituted by Will Massey (making a welcome return after a long break away from the game) and Keiran Smith. Will Turner is the best experienced utility player Folkestone have, and he took up the scrum half position vacated by Jack Cox.
Dartfordians visibly gained confidence half way through the second half and now started to pass the ball down the three-quarters and they scored a good try from some excellent passing to give them a 9–21 lead after 16 minutes of the second half. That was bad enough for the ‘Stones, but within two minutes Dartfordians did the same thing again to score on the wing to extend the lead to 9–26.
Some bad handling errors gave more possession away and the opposition were gifted a try when they were handed the ball from a misguided and misdirected pass. With a score line of 9–33 Dartfordians could look forward to seeing their opponents in the 3rd Round draw. But perhaps not! Folkestone, to their credit attacked with renewed vigour and Will Massey scored an unconverted try on the right. 14-33. Jon Morton and Richie Bowen combined well and passed to Seyhan Fell who scored a brilliant individual try that he converted and now the scoreboard read 21–33.
Dartfordians were rocked by this sudden reversal after a period when they looked comfortable, but credit to them for consolidating their defence to see out time and take a deserved victory.
Folkestone will have learned some lessons from two defeats by the same mid-table opponents. Not least that they had in Richard Dagger, on the right wing, probably the fastest runner on the pitch – but the centres tried to keep possession and try for the break, or half-break. It didn’t work in the away fixture against this team and it didn’t work today.
Next week, at Uckfield, the ‘Stones will be looking to resume their fast open interplay that has taken them to a top three position in the league.
Team: AS Fell; R Bowen, R Farrow, J Eustace, R Dagger; J Morton, J Cox; M Murray (Capt.), W Blandford, T Carvill; B Stringer, K Murray; W Turner, S Stewart, A Fullerton.
Subs: W Massey, K Smith, AN Other.
Scorers: AS Fell 1T, 3P, 1C; W Massey 1T.