The Stones concede an early try, and the lead, for the ninth consecutive game!

GILLINGHAM ANCHORIANS 1stXV 36 FOLKESTONE 1stXV 22
Saturday 19th November 2016. London 3SE. Report from Alan Schofield.

Folkestone earned a four-try bonus point in this 10 try open and running game, but they will need to review their performance in some defensive areas.
With the injury and absence list unusually small, Coach Leigh Fitchie had a good nucleus of players to select from which gave cause for some optimism amongst the loyal band of away supporters. And it was with wry smiles and nodding heads that they saw The Stones concede an early try, and the lead, for the ninth consecutive game. But this time, at least, they held out for 9 minutes.
In this time they had dominated play and were exasperated to see three open chances to score tries all thwarted. Josh Holt could not hold on to an intercept, Jack Brooks was tap tackled a metre short and a move by Adam Tolman, Will Melia, Steve Doughty and Josh Holt finished on, but not over the line. The early scrums were well controlled and Sam Beech was dynamic around the break up.
But then, all the territory, possession, and attacking ideas came to nought when the Gills started a passing movement that left The Stones three flimsy attempts at tackles clutching the air as this early try was scored without a hand been laid on in defence. The conversion was easy and the score was 7 – 0.
Retaliation followed as The Stones resumed their attacks, Adam Tolman taking the ball into the danger zone before the Gills conceded a penalty under the posts. Jon Morton chose to take the scrum that was easily controlled as James Mead ran right, drew the opposition and threw a long pass to Josh Holt who touched down unopposed. 7 – 5.
Folkestone continued to command play, especially in the forwards with John Eustace, Sam Beech and Jordan Godden controlling in defence and setting up attacks, pinning the Gills back in their own half. But there were signs that home side had some speedy backs and wings and Stephen Morgan, at full back, had to put in a try saving tackle when they broke clear. And for the first time in twenty minutes Folkestone’s forward defences were fully tested, but they met the challenge well, even though when they were broken, a knock-on prevented a certain try. Escaping this concerted attack, The Stones bounced back, again led by the forwards – gaining fully 12 metres in a massive scrum shove. James Mead made ground every time from his forward’s power forcing play into the Gill’s 10 metre defensive zone and into offside positions. A quick tap penalty, a short pass and Jordan Godden forced his way over for Folkestone to take a deserved 7 - 12 lead, with the Seyhan Fell conversion.
But after half an hour of play during which even the most ardent of Gillingham supporters would acknowledge that the score did not reflect the play, it all began to fall apart for the visitors. The Gills clearly decided they were going nowhere against the formidable Folkestone forwards and began to throw the ball to their speedy backs. Three tries were scored by them in an eight minute period before half time – each one helped by an inability to observe the switching of positions and woeful attempts at tackling. The first of them typified the situation of the game for after the Folkestone forwards and half backs had forced a five metre line out with their ball, all ready to increase the lead, they contrived to lose the ball and allow the Gill’s backs to run the length of the field with the Folkestone defence hapless.
So when half time came the score was 22 – 12 – not beyond recovery, given The Stones performance in the first 30 minutes, but a radical rethink of defence in the backs was necessary.
They may have rethought it, but they didn’t change it, and any thought of turning the game around were snuffed out before the hour was up with two more tackle-less tries being run in by the buoyant Gills backs, and at 36 – 12 the game was lost.
Kyle Deakin came on for an injured Jack Brooks and took up the full back position, with Stephen Morgan going into the centre. Kieran Smith and Bob Porter substituted the hard working Sam Beech and James Mead (both suffering knocks.)
A series of penalties were conceded in Folkestone’s favour and a yellow card reduced the Gills to fourteen men, giving Folkestone some time in the Gills half. Jordan Godden and Adam Tolman made strong efforts to recover some pride, but mistakes were creeping into the game as the temperature dropped and heavy rain began to fall. Will Melia tried and better tried to make ground, and the Gills were forced to show their defensive talents. But they were split when Adam Tolman dodged through three tackles to score near to the posts. The quick drop kick conversion attempt failing. 36 – 17.
Only minutes later Adam Tolman, Seyhan Fell, Bob Porter, Keiran Smith and Steve Doughty set up a superb rugby try with a running and passing move that any coach would have been proud of – especially when Adam Tolman was on hand to take the final pass and touch down. Again an easy conversion was denied when the attempted drop kick was sliced. 36 – 22. By throwing away four points in rushed conversion kicks they forsook the chance of a second bonus point as the team finished the game as they started it – with the upper hand.
The summary of the game lay in the difference between the two sets of forwards, where The Stones never looked out of control, and the two sets of backs where they lacked tackling ability and tactics, unfortunately, not for the first time this season.
Team:- Thomas Snare, Steve Doughty, Will Melia; Ben Stringer, Cameron Dallas; Sam Beech, Jordan Godden, John Eustace; James Mead, Adam Tolman; Seyhan Fell; Jon Morton (Capt.), Jack Brooks, Josh Holt; Stephen Morgan.
Subs: - Bob Porter, Kieran Smith, Kyle Deakin.