Folkestone give away too many first half points again!

HAYWARDS HEATH 1st XV 31 FOLKESTONE 1st XV 15
Saturday 29th October 2016. London 3SE Report from Alan Schofield

Disappointingly Folkestone had to turn up for this game with eight players missing from the team that thoroughly beat Lewes only seven days ago. And this against the team that had the best wins record and the tightest defence in the league.
And although The Stones valiantly tried to put together their particular brand of open, running rugby – they failed to click for the first 40 minutes. But thereafter they gave a demonstration of what team rugby and squad training is all about.
Haywards Heath showed immediately that they were an experienced and mature team, with strength and speed, by pinning The Stones back into defending their line from the kick off. Although some solid tackling showed spirit, they were powerless to stop a rolling maul when Heath put 10 men into the fray and were able to force their way over to score, after only six minutes. 5 – 0.
Haywards Heath continued to attack putting the Stone’s forwards up to the job of hard defence and in this, winning the ball well in a couple of loose play episodes. Unfortunately they did not help their cause by attempting to relieve the situation with long kicks - only to find waiting hands that duly set up further attacks. Resisting these, The Stone’s forwards then hit back, winning the ball and putting seven pick and runs into the opposition. But when eventually play stopped, they ominously found they had only gained two metres!
The strength of the front of Mat Roots, James Archer and Steve Doughty were holding the scrums and Ross Dempsey was secure at the line outs. The tackling was good – Ben Stringer and Sam Beech noticeably active – but The Stones had twice as much to do as the home side. When Stephen Morgan opened up play on the left there followed a five minute period when Heath were tested, but they were up to this and retaliated with a fast move up the left wing that resulted in a try being run in under the posts. 12-0.
Heath then dominated possession and territory using their strong forwards and fast backs to score two more tries, both well-rehearsed moves, before half time and put the score that seemed beyond reach at 24 – 0. It could have been more, but twice The Stones held firm on their own five metre line against determined assaults.
The half time ‘chat’ by coach Leigh Fitchie must have inspired his team, as they came into the second half and immediately went on to the offensive. Keiran Smith and Matt Roots made ground with sheer strength. Jon Eustace took the attack to within 5 metres and Heath were in full defensive mode. Stephen Morgan and James Lunnun tried strong runs and the ball was lost but the home side failed to find a touch with a relieving kick. James Mead worked it down the touchline towards his forwards and they forced two transgressions in very kickable positions in front of the posts. But better things were in mind than penalty kicks as Folkestone put together a remarkable series of attacks with each and every one of the eight forwards going for the line. Something had to give, and it was Callum Gibson who eventually forced his way up to the line, just slipping an inside pass to Josh Holt to touch down. 24 – 5 and The Stones looked a different team!
In quick succession Adam Fullerton, Jeremy Cowell and Cameron Dallas gave well-earned rests to Sam Beech, James Archer and Callum Gibson but this did not disrupt the team in any way. Haywards Heath came back briefly and showed another clever ‘training ground’ move that brought in two extra men, finding a gap and being able to run through for their fifth try 31 – 5.
But that was to be their last, as in the ten minutes remaining they barely saw the ball as The Stones then dominated the match. Heath looked a bit ragged as twice they conceded double penalties. Stephen Morgan was brought down with a high tackle and the discipline that Heath had showed earlier was fraying under pressure. A three quarter move with crisp passes saw James Lunnun stopped a metre short. Although Heath recovered with a kick it only brought the Folkestone forwards into play and with all eight together they pushed Heath backwards for fully 15 metres and in disarray on their own line, they didn’t know where the ball was until it appeared in the ever safe Lewis Howland’s hands who slipped it to Josh Holt who touched down on the far left wing. 31 – 10.
James Mead put another penalty kick 45 metres into touch close to the corner flag. Ross Dempsey took a clean ball from the ensuing line out and Jeremie Cowell had a determined bash into a tiring home defensive wall before turning it to Mat Roots who was unstoppable as four players desperately clung to his frame as he powered his way to the third try for the team. 31-15. So well-deserved after a lionhearted effort of skill and fitness - especially in the second half – which was won by Folkestone 15 – 7 on points.
Haywards Heath are probably the early favourites to win the league in spite of their forfeiting 5 points for a Club misdemeanour, but Folkestone, by their lively and adept performance, even with a vastly changed team, showed they are capable of success in this division. But perhaps it is worth a look at reasons why they all too often have to fight back from behind, sometimes too far behind – as in this match - after conceding early points. Final score 31-15.
Next week, the home game against Aylesford has been brought forward to a 2 p.m. kick-off to allow for the bonfire and Club fireworks extravaganza.
Team: James Mead; Josh Holt, Stephen Morgan, John Eustace (Capt.), Thomo Murray; James Lunnun, Lewis Howland; James Archer, Steve Doughty, Mat Roots; Ben Stringer, Kieran Smith; Ross Dempsey, Sam Beech, Callum Gibson.
Subs: Cameron Dallas, Jeremie Cowell, Adam Fullerton.
Scorers: Josh Holt 5,5; Mat Roots 5.