Folkestone won their first League match of the season in style

FOLKESTONE 1sts 54 OLD DUNSTONIANS 1sts 29
10th September 2016 London 3 SE Report from Alan Schofield
The South London opposition won all seven of their last seven fixtures in the previous season and in doing so amassed 326 points, and thus were considered by many to be the favourites for promotion this season – especially having attracted some high quality players from the southern latitudes. But in conversations before the game started it transpired that O.D.’s had misunderstood the regulations with regard to the status of these players and they were not now available to them.
To add to their woes, they then suffered a six try defeat from a determined, but careless Folkestone XV. Careless - because The Stones allowed four tries to be scored against them - three of which were due to nothing less than a cavalier attitude to defence in open play whilst in strong attacking positions.
The Folkestone team saw many changes from the previous week when they lost 44 points to Thanet, into the front row came the might of Matt Roots and the power and speed of Will Melia. Seyhan Fell and Jordan Godden were back, as was Chris Petley - and it was a welcome return, after 9 years, to Stephen Morgan playing in the centre.
Folkestone started the game into a strong, gusty wind blowing from the south and were immediately on the offensive. It was to be 13 minutes before O.D’s were able to play in the Folkestone half. Stephen Morgan showed his strength when he up-ended a 16 stone No 8 and Matt Roots with Will Melia occupied three men each before being stopped. O.D’s were content to kick downwind but were almost undone when Seyhan Fell fielded a 50 metre hoof and opened up play with a cross field run before passing to Josh Holt who was held just short, as was Matt Roots from the maul that followed. But a penalty by Seyhan Fell opened the scoring for The Stones. 3 – 0 after both Josh Holt and James Mead crossed over to touch down, only to be brought back for a forward pass and a knock on.
From the restart O.D’s took a long kick that was fielded out on the right wing and The Stones, disappointingly conceded a try made all too simple, by their lack of defensive alertness (something that was to happen again, and again). 3 -5. But Folkestone showed they had the playing power, the attacking ideas and the tactics to look the better side. Coupled with this O.D’s were infringing on a regular basis – so much so that Mr Huntley, the referee, warned their players. But unheedingly, within minutes they had offended again and unsurprisingly were given the first of three yellow cards for persistent infringements or careless tackles.
Will Melia picked up a loose ball after 25 minutes and ran in a try from 15 metres unopposed. Seyhan Fell converted. 10 -5. Folkestone, almost immediately, failed – unluckily - to secure another long kick downwind – which resulted in the very fast O.D’s wingman seizing the ball and outpacing everyone to touch down under the posts, with the conversion following. 10 -12. Fortunately Seyhan Fell’s kicking form was excellent and he managed to regain the lead before half time with a long penalty kick into the wind. 13 – 12.
The second half saw Folkestone at their best. They dominated play from the restart and ran the score up to 47 – 15 with four converted tries with only a penalty in reply. James Mead cut through the centre, and John Eustace scored out on the right. Joe Melia scored a second sharp try and Chris Petley, playing out on the right wing, couldn’t resist joining in the spree. Seyhan Fell, as well as converting all the tries, slotted a couple of penalties and Old Dunstonians were in disarray.
The good sized crowd saw a spectacle of fast moving rugby and impressive performances from the whole team. Sam Beech and Jordan Godden both contriving to win ball in the loose and allowing their backs plenty of running. The score could have been even higher had it not been for a larger than average number of passing and handling errors. And then we witnessed a remarkable final 6 minutes to the game when 28 points were scored!
After Chris Petley’s try in the 74th minute, Dunstonians intercepted an attack close to their try line and ran the length of the field to score. James Mead immediately retaliated when he ran straight through a mass of players to touch down and bring up the 50 mark and from the restart, again Folkestone were in full attack when a long pass was easily intercepted to earn O.D’s a bonus point for their fourth try. 54 – 29.
This was a disappointing finish to the game as it cost Folkestone occupying top spot in the league, on points difference. But it was good win against a strong opposition.
An interesting side thought to this game, and this result, was that both Bromley and Heathfield – last season’s promoted teams – both lost heavily in their new division.
Team: Seyhan Fell; Josh Holt, Jon Morton (Capt.), Stephen Morgan, Chris Petley; James Lunnun, James Mead; Will Melia, Steve Doughty, Mat Roots; Callum Gibson, Kieran Smith; Sam Beech, Jordan Godden, John Eustace.
Subs: Bob Porter, Jake Ellis, Kyle Deakin.
Scorers: Seyhan Fell 4P, 6C; Will Melia 2T; James Mead 2T; John Eustace 1T; Chris Petley 1T.