FRFC 18 Charlton Park 17

Folkestone coach Darren Molloy must be a happy man as he guided his team through 3 tough pre-season friendlies each against opposition from a higher division than Folkestone. He has seen the team earn sparkling wins over Canterbury and Fullerians. Today’s game against Charlton Park was the toughest and Folkestone had to dig deep to win a thrilling match. Last season these 2 teams, playing in the same division, served up a classic match in London with Park winning by just 1 point and going on to finish runners up in the league earning promotion. As with Folkestone Charlton Park is one of the true amateur clubs left in the game. They have a fine strong team with a lot of flair. Their players don’t play for money, they play for the love of their club. And also their supporters are great fun joining in the banter of the touchlines which appears to be unique to rugby. They are also regular visitors to our website so I won't be my usual controversial self!

Today’s game wasn’t the most skilful but it was end to end stuff which left the spectators breathless at it’s end. Folkestone were first on the score sheet with Seyhan Fell scoring from a penalty after a series of drives from the Folkestone pack. 3-0.

Minutes later and Charlton Park were ahead. They chose to kick a penalty to touch and from their line-out they drove the ball over the line. 3-5.

Every time I’ve watched Charlton Park I have been impressed with their former skipper Nick Casizzi, playing in the centre today. He was a constant threat picking great attacking lines and from one of these drives he crashed through the first line of defence and seeing he couldn’t get much further kicked the ball onto the right wing for his winger to score a second try. It was a terrific bit of play. 3-10.

Just before half time it started to look bleak for Folkestone as Park scored their third try which was converted. 3-17.

Molloy got his team together in the interval and whatever he said, it worked because Folkestone came out with renewed determination in the second half. In the first period they were taught a lesson by the visitors who continually found good attacking lines with their ball carriers coming in straight lines to the posts, while, too often Folkestone ball carriers seemed to be heading for the corner flag cutting down the space they could play in. And when they did make ground the ball would be dropped leaving the home team and supporters highly frustrated.

Referee, Tim Griffiths, in his first visit to the New Burlington did very well. There were a couple of silly outbreaks of fisticuffs in which if it was not a friendly, some players could well have been red carded but Mr Griffiths calmly managed the situation. Unfortunately, it looked to me that home players were more to blame than the visitors. Folkestone’s coaching team must ensure their team keep discipline. Today they gave away far too many penalties and in competitive matches this will cost them territory and points.

Anyway, I’ll get off the soapbox and return to the game because right from the restart the home supporters were roaring their favourites on. Ben Brooks returning from injury was in a hungry mood as he powered down the left wing and then kicked on to put the visitor’s defence under pressure. Folkestone retained the ball and quickly moved it from left to right and Ben Page sprinted down the right wing to score in the corner. 8-17.

Cunningly Molloy had moved flanker, Will Turner, into the centre and he was inspirational as he dragged the team onto the front foot.
Although most home supporters were in a depressed mood at the interval suddenly they saw a chance of victory. It looked even better on the hour mark when Page again went flying down the right wing. He drew the last defender and timed a perfect pass to New Zealander, Scotty Evans who went over for the score. Fell added the conversion. 15-17.

Minutes later and Page was almost in again. Park had a scrum inside their own 22. They tried to kick the ball upfield but young Czech, Jakub Kopfiva, probably the smallest player on the pitch charged the kick down. The ball bounced about everywhere and Page could not quite get his hands on the ball. So close, yet so far. Was that a sign that Stones were going to fall short?

No it wasn’t because they again threw themselves at the try line earning a penalty with 10 minutes left. It was 35 metres out but, crucially, in front of the posts. It was a pressure kick for Fell but I don’t think anybody doubted him and he struck a beauty which sailed over. 18-17.

With less than 10 minutes to go Park raised their game attacking down their right wing. This time Folkestone managed to keep their discipline because a penalty against them may well have lost the game. Twice Park broke through the home defence and looked certain to score but on both occasions Jonny Morton somehow managed to get back with 2 try-saving tackles to keep the visitors out.

Man of the Match for the Stones was another difficult call. It always is. Scrum half Jakub Kopfiva was again excellent. He has a fantastic long pass. Will Turner was outstanding but then he usually is. Seyhan Fell and Jon Morton played well again but for me the mainman was Ben Page. His try and his assist for Stone’s 2nd try came at just the right time and lifted Folkestone back into the game.

Saturday sees the serious stuff start when Medway are the visitors for the first league game of the season. Folkestone will be without coach, Darren Molloy who is playing for the Wasps’ Legends in a charity match in Guernsey. Before he gets on the plane he is going to have a problem picking his team because so many players have staked a claim for a place.