FOLKESTONE 29 pts v. DARTFORD VALLEY 0 pts 7th December 2024

In difficult conditions for open running rugby, Folkestone took on a determined Dartford Valle who, although in the relegation zone, have shown a good scoring record - and they started with pace and strong forays through their forwards - putting Stones under pressure and conceding five early penalty kicks. Darts continued to attack but from breakdowns Stones progressed more strongly, but a series of penalties against them gave the initiative away.
With the strong wind and a wet ball the game descended into a disjointed contest with both sides making handling errors but the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when Stones attacked the visitors 22 metre zone and from a scrum they spread the ball wide through their backs for Jack Hobbs to sprint through on the far left wing for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
From the restart Stones continued to attack the Darts half of the field with good interplay and Ollie Jordan-Smith’s accurate and penetrating touch kicks. From an attacking base ,15 metres out, Callum Palmieri delivered a deft inside pass which Tom Snare latched onto to force his way over the try line for the touchdown in the 38th minute. Ollie Jordon-Smith converted giving Stones a 12-0 lead at half time.
Under full floodlights and in a strengthening wind the second half started with Folkestone continuing to force Dartford Valley to defend their 22 metre zone, but play broke down when the visitors hacked the ball downfield forcing Stones to retreat, but with good recovery work by Stones the ball was fed to Ollie Jordon-Smith to go on a silky run evading a number of tackles to score a brilliant individual try which he then converted try giving Stones a 17-0 lead.
Dart’s forwards mounted a counterattack that The Stones did well to contain, but the game was disrupted by some ill-discipline from both sides which allowed Stones to regain their composure and with training ground moves they worked their way up field and eventually outpacing the opposition spreading the ball wide to Charlie Watson who complete the move with unconverted try. 22 - 0
Stones continued to make the game difficult for the visitors ball and the bonus point try was well earned when Charlie Watson made a decisive breakthrough a beaten defence to sprint over between the posts for a converted try in the last play of the game giving Stones a 29-0 bonus point win.
With two more matches before the Christmas and New Year break, Folkestone are now making their way up the table after a very poor start to the season

Team :- Mason Colchester-Long James Cousins Harry Illman Jack Baker Ben Stringer James Stewart John Morton Alex Price Adam Tolman Ollie Jordon-Smith Harry Dean Callum Palmieri(c) Charlie Watson Seyhan Fell Jack Hobbs Sub:- Tom Snare Scott Stewart Jordon Godden