Folkestone put in a tough performance and scored some terrific tries today. Last week the backline misfired but today they were a much improved unti. With respect to their previous opponents I was surprised to see that Maidstone have lost their first 2 league matches this season. They have a fine group of lads who try to play good, quick rugby and unlike other clubs Maidstone do not flash the cash to bring players in. They rely on the loyalty of their players.
For once Folkestone supporters remained quite relaxed watching the match. Their heroes got off to a good start and stayed ahead for the rest of the game gradually pulling further and further ahead.
Right from the whistle Folkestone went into the attack with Jack McMurray and Ben Flatman showing their ball carrying capability punching deep into Maidstone territory. It took an infringement to stop them and referee, the excellent Mr Griffiths awarded a penalty which Seyhan Fell eagerly put away. 3-0.
Ben Page was giving the supporters a preview of his pace early on after a fine move which saw Flatman making ground, passing on to McMurray who advanced further before finding Will Massey who passed the ball to Page who flashed down the wing and only an excellent tackle stopped him. More of Mr Page later.
Unfortunately Folkestone were still making some of the mistakes that had almost cost them the game last week at Ashford but this time they showed much more determination to get it right. Simon Harris was setting up his attackers who were showing some very good attacking lines. The first try came from a little inside pop pass to Ollie Brooks who stormed up the pitch to score in the 8th minute. Seyhan Fell added the conversion. 10-0.
The only problem for the home team was that they were turning the ball over too often allowing Maidstone to attack up the left wing before moving the ball into the centre for a well taken try. 10-5.
Obviously stung, Folkestone reacted well earning another penalty which which Fell saw carrying out his usual job as he struck another beauty. 13-5. He has a high success rate.
Folkestone found themselves back in Maidstone territory minutes later with Jakub Kopriva and his Czech compatriot Michal Krizanek exchanging passes making ground through the Maidstone defence before Kopriva set up Page with a defence splitting pass and he raced in from 35 metres out. As usual Fell added the conversion. 20-5.
I mentioned Page’s pace earlier and seconds later he set up a score collecting the ball deep in his own half and racing up the left wing passing on to Krizanek to score in the 37th minute. It was a popular try as Krizanek and his mate, Kopriva, have won many friends in Folkestone with their passion and skill. Members of their club back home in the Czech Republic, Tatra Smichov, hope to visit Folkestone later in the season. They’ll be happy when they see how well their lads are playing. Once again Fell added the bonus so at the interval Folkestone led 27-5.
The second half seemed to become a training session for the home team defence as Maidstone huffed and puffed for fully 10 minutes on the Folkestone 5 metre line. They looked certain to score but again and again the home team got 2 players to stop the visiting ball carrier as Maidstone attacked using the width of the pitch. Richard Lama and Will Turner were magnificent as they marshalled the troops but eventually Maidstone got themselves over the line. 27-10.
Folkestone coach, Darren Molloy then had to change his team around as Ollie Brooks and Seyhan Fell left the pitch injured. He introduced Jak Cox, Charlie Williams and Rob Hudson, quality substitutes. All of them made a strong impact in the game. Williams is hugely appreciated by the home support and again today he was working hard for his team. Hudson has been just fantastic since joining the Stones from Whitstable and in Cox, Coach Molloy has a player who can play in a variety of positions. Today he went into the centre. He's also been seen as hooker, scrum half and winger already this season. Jon Morton, enjoying yet another classy match set up a perfect pop pass to Cox who found an unstoppable line and he blasted through to score in the 75th minute. Jon Morton added the conversion. 34-10.
Morton and Cox combined again minutes later when Morton launched a near perfect crossfield kick. The Maidstone defender looked to be favourite to get to the ball first but even though he has little legs Cox moves them quickly and he got to the ball to touch down in the corner. 39-10.
Awaiting the conversion behind the posts the visiting skipper encouraged his team. With minutes to go they knew they were beaten but they weren’t going to go down without a fight and they came straight back at Folkestone to score under the posts. The skipper, himself, added the conversion with a drop kick and the ref blew for time. 39-17.

Folkestone aren’t yet the finished article but considering the massive number of players out through injury they are showing real potential. Yes, they are making mistakes but their defence is strong and they have pace and power in attack while in the control room young Kopriva and Harris are setting up the attacks.
So with 3 victories in 3 matches are Folkestone going to be in the contest for promotion? Yes, they could be, but in the past few seasons they have got off to great starts only to fall away in mid season. This coincides with the squad not being able to train properly because the club floodlights need repairing. Chairman Andy Dagger and his hard working committee have done a brilliant job to make the club a success and, even though I’m biased, it really is a fantastic club. The club has recently signed up a sponsorship deal with Eurotunnel and I’m sure that if the club was to receive sponsorship from other local businesses and more support from the community Folkestone do have the potential for promotion. This season that particular fight looks set to be a tough one as already Crowborough, Horsham, Uckfield and Medway are showing they want to be in the race.
So we move to the Stones’ Man of the Match. This is usually a difficult call because so many players put in good performances and now I sound out a number of supporters. The short list today was a long list and contained Ben Page, Jakub Kopriva, Ollie Brooks, Richard Lama, Mat Roots, Will Massey, Jack McMurray, Ben Flatman, Michal Krizanek, Jake Johnson, Jak Cox and Will Turner. The committee and I went through each claim. We discussed Will Turner’s case and somebody said “Will always plays well” and that is absolutely correct. He ALWAYS plays well. Today in the back row he was everywhere and when he joins the backs line he always makes ground. He’s been doing it for season after season and sets a great example to the young players. So, Will Turner, Man of the Match.
Oh I almost forgot. After today's game Chris Petley and Adam Tolman asked me to mention them in the match report. So....
Chris Petley and Adam Tolman.

Squad:
R Lama, M Roots, W Massey, P Hodges, J Cox, J McMurray, B Flatman, M Krizanek, J Johnson, W Turner, R Hudson, J Kopriva, S Harris, J Morton, O Brooks, B Page, C Williamson, S Fell

Today's other London SE3 Results:

Bromley 91 Crawley 11
Crowborough 64 Park House 0
Horsham 29 Eastbourne 12
Medway 37 Ashford 26
Uckfield 10 Sheppey 15

Foolkestone go level with Horsham and Crowborough at the top of the table. Uckfield, beaten by Sheppey slip 4 points behind in the table.

Next week's fixtures are:

Crawley v Crowborough
Eastbourne v Bromley
Maidstone v Medway
Park House v Folkestone
Sheppey v Ashford
Uckfield v Horsham