FOLKESTONE 38 pts v OLD ALLEYNIANS 31 pts

After last week’s unfortunate defeat Folkestone took on an impressive Old Alleynians team from south-east London at Burlington Field

Stones started the game retaining the ball and putting the visitors under pressure and after winning a turnover, Stones whipped the ball through their backs for Adam Tolman to score a well-earned try in the 8th minute converted by Callum Palmieri 7 – 0.

After the restart OA’s pressed Stones 5 metre line and ran in a try in the 11th minute which was converted to level the scores at 7-7. Folkestone suffered an early disruption with an injury to Andre Allen, replaced by Cario Ellies. Stones continued their all-out attacking style of play and were rewarded when the ball was spread far and wide allowing Seyhan Fell to score sprint over the line in the 22nd minute, the try converted by Callum Palmieri - giving Stones a 14-7 lead.
Immediately after the kick off Stones took full advantage of loose play by the visitors, and the Stones sprightly fly half Ollie Jordan-Smith to break through OA’s defence and feed Charlie Watson with a pass to race over the line for a touchdown in the 25minute which was converted by Palmieri, giving Stones a comfortable 21-7 lead.

Tasting the sight of a comfortable win Stones increased the pace of the game and with quick handling of the ball they released Harry Dean to wriggle out of tackles to score a try which was converted to give Stones a 28-7 lead. OA’s regained their composure forcing Stones to concede penalties resulting in them to concede a try in the 38th minute leaving the half time score at 28-14.

Stones resumed the second half at a high tempo forcing the visitors into mistakes resulting in Adam Tolman slipping tackles to score a superb individual try leaving Stones with a good lead of 33-14. OA’s came back strongly forcing errors from the home side which resulted in the 60th minute the Stones conceding a try narrowing the score at 33-19.
Stones came back at their opponents and with good tactical kicking penned OA’s into their 22metres and from an ensuing line out Stones George Uden barged his way over for a try to increase the comfort zone 38-19

Victory looked in sight with 7 minutes to go but OA’s had other ideas, Folkestone were beginning to tire and OA’s took advantage and scored two late tries, one of them converted to bring the scores to 38 – 31, earned OA’s a deserved bonus point – but the final whistle brought Folkestone a very well earned 5 points for an excellent effort against a strong opposition.

Team :- Tom Snare James Cousins Mason Colchester-Long James Stewart Leon Gurr, Callum Palmieri(C), Scotty Stewart Alex Price Adam Tolman Ollie Jordon-Smith Harry Dean Louis Watson Andre Allen Charlie Watson Seyhan Fell Subs :- Owen Champion George Uden Cairo Ellis