Folkestone hold on in the last minutes to beat the League Leaders by 4 points.

FOLKESTONE 33 pts v PULBOROUGH 29 pts
26th November 2016. LONDON 3 SE Report by Alan Schofield.
With nine players missing from last week’s team to play against top-of-the-table Pulborough critical playing positions were disrupted. Three of the team had started their 1st XV careers in the last century! And yet Folkestone put in a performance that defied all logic to not only beat the league leaders but to dominate them in every area for 75% of game.
Something unusual was amiss as The Stones did not concede a very early try as is their wont. True, they conceded a penalty after 6 mins but this was nullified with 90 seconds as each team offended. 3-3. It soon became evident that the Folkestone forwards had the edge, winning the first scrum and two line outs with ease. And apprehensions of last week’s defensive errors were expunged when Jeremie Cowell and Josh Holt each made sound tackles from fast break away movements that showed the Pulborough backs had power and speed.
But that was the end of the first half attacks for the visitors - after only 10 minutes! Because they barely saw the Folkestone half of the field until they encamped there for the half time remonstrance by their coach.
The Folkestone forwards, led by the front row of Mat Roots, Steve Doughty and James Archer out powered the Pulborough pack, broke them up and trundled all over them. Penalty after penalty ensued that put The Stones into attacking positions within the 10 metre area. Jordan Godden was held up on the line, but Pulborough came offside again and earned a referee’s warning. A scrum was elected for under the posts and another massive effort from the forwards saw them heave Pulborough back over their line for John Eustace to touch down and Seyhan Fell to convert from under the posts. 10 – 3.
From the restart Seyhan Fell ran to the right at speed making 35 metres before passing to Jon Morton and in turn to Michael Gardner (playing in the centre) who was tackled but not before releasing to Kieran Smith who made ground before slipping it to Sam Beech - and Michael Gardner, following up, took a crafty little pass and scored with a dive. Seyhan Fell converted easily. 17 – 3.
John Eustace, Steve Doughty and Josh Holt all had try scoring attempts foiled as the visitors had to absorb pressure from every aspect of the game. Jordan Godden and Adam Tolman brought flare to the attack whilst flanker Billy Crystal (1st XV Debut) and lock Kieran Smith were protecting each side of the set pieces. At any breakdown of play, Folkestone showed a good stratagem by only committing a very few players to the ball area – often Mat Roots and Martin Murray – allowing extra men on their feet and in attacking areas.
Pulborough were losing discipline for at this point, 32 minutes into the game, they had an adverse penalty count of 8 – 1 against them. This was bad as they also picked up a yellow card for persistent offences. Folkestone have quality place kicker in Seyhan Fell – and twice he slotted penalty kicks straight and true to lift the score at half time to 23 – 3.
The second half started as the first half finished with The Stones aggressive in attack and solid in defence. James Archer and Steve Doughty were showing super fitness as they mauled and rucked the Pulborough forwards. One break out by Pulborough took them to the Folkestone line but Jordan Godden rescued the ball and made 60 metres by running and kicking and following up. Jordan Godden was in play minutes later when he took the ball up to the Pulborough line with John Eustace and Jon Morton trying to break through with weighty support from the forwards, but it was Mike Gardner, coming into the fray who seized the ball and scored a diving try through a mass of players. Seyhan Fell converted from under the posts and the score was 30 – 3 and Pulborough were beaten. Or were they?
Coach, Leigh Fitchie decided that Mat Roots and Billy Crystal deserved a breather after a mighty performance up front. On came Will Turner and Thomas Snare – which might have lightened the pack only a little, but rejuvenated the effort.
Pulborough had showed on the few occasions they won a little possession that had athleticism and power in the backs and this was demonstrated when, against the run of play, they broke through from their own 22 metre line and carried the ball the full 80 metres to score – resisting three good tackle attempts. 30 – 10.
After 65 minutes Josh Holt was substituted on the left wing, after playing a feisty game in attack and defence, by Shane Hills (for his 1st XV debut.). Pulborough began to come into the game with a vengeance. Three determined attacks down the centre field were only just resisted. A fourth massive effort took the visitors to the Folkestone line but The Stones were unbroken until a penalty relieved the pressure. Pulborough came straight back with a strong move on the right wing, finishing with another very good try. 30-15. The conversion was missed, but before Folkestone could regroup they had to concede another converted try, on the left side. 33 – 22. Hmmm! - Nervous moments?
The game became tense and a squabble saw the excellent referee, Mr Richard Hanks, issue yellow cards to Martin Murray and his Pulborough opposite number. And a further brouhaha saw John Eustace being sent to the sin bin. Pulborough took advantage and scored their fourth and bonus point try and the final minutes were extremely strained for the home side, and their supporters, with the score at 33 – 29. Seyhan Fell missed a penalty attempt to seal the game, but it was the forwards who took control and saw out the extended added time to win a thoroughly entertaining match.
Team: Seyhan Fell; Jeremie Cowell, Jon Morton (Capt.), Michael Gardner, Josh Holt; Adam Tolman, Jordan Godden; James Archer, Steve Doughty, Mat Roots; Martin Murray, Kieran Smith; Billy Crystal, Sam Beech, John Eustace.
Subs: Thomas Snare, Will Turner, Shane Hills.
Scorers: Seyhan Fell 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2; John Eustace 5; Mike Garner 5,5.