Horsham 5 FRFC 18

Horsham have enjoyed a fine start to the season and are playing some good rugby this season. So Folkestone knew they had to get into this game quickly. Recent matches have seen then allow opponents to take the upper hand early in the game. And they did get off to a better start as the ball went end to end in the opening 10 minutes but it was the home team that was first on the score board with a fine try. 5-0.
From that point Folkestone took control of the game. In the 19th minute Seyhan Fell added to his massive points tally this season with a well taken penalty. 5-3 from about 35 yards out.
For the rest of the match Folkestone had more possession and more territory. Skipper, Richard Lama, said after the game that the Stones defensive line felt they could stop any Horsham attacks. From the touchline I shared Lama’s belief. In attack Lama and his centre partner Ollie Brooks were punching big holes in the home defence as it looked likely that the Stones were about to score. Some Folkestone supporters were disappointed in some of the Stones passing. I felt that was unfair. Rugby is an easy game from the touchline. But try running with the ball at speed and finding an accurate pass to your team mates who are also hitting the throttle and of course there is the little problem of a defender or two to beat. It’s not easy. My only criticism is that some of the Folkestone players tried to pass the ball in the tackle rather than draw the defender and passing just before the contact. When a defender has got his arms round the ball carrier it isn’t easy to pass. Luckily Lama certainly doesn’t suffer that and he set up the first Folkestone try with a strong run down the left wing. He could see that a home defender was going to get to him and Lama was patient waiting for the defender to commit before finding Ben Brooks in support charging up the touchline and because of Lama’s fine pass in the 32nd minute Brooks cruised over the line and had time to take the ball toward the posts making the conversion easier. Perfect rugby. Fell added the conversion and suddenly Folkestone were in the lead. 5-10.
Folkestone increased the lead in the 44th minute with another Fell penalty. 5-13.
I was surprised that Horsham had such a sparse support. Their team has been playing good rugby all season and their players deserved a much larger support. They did their best to lift their team but in truth Folkestone always looked to be in control. The Horsham fly half showed enterprise twice breaking out of his 22 with a nice kick and chase over the Folkestone defensive line but on both occasions the Stones back 3 stopped him without too much trouble.
As the game progressed Folkestone looked the likeliest to add to their tally and 2 excellent drives up the right wing saw them go from their own 22 to the Horsham 22. They were excellent moves with backs and forwards supporting each other moving the ball dangerously up the pitch. The second of these moves led to a Folkestone scrum in the Horsham 22. The scrum had been well contested throughout the game with neither team being top dogs. But this scrum was perfect as the Folkestone pack was rock steady holding their opponents in place and the ball went to the feet of Stones No. 8 Jake Johnson who picked it up and battered his way through defenders to the try line. 5-18. It was a terrific piece of solo play from Johnson who is continuing his great form from last season when he became a supporter’s favourite with his powerful drives deep into enemy territory. But as good as his play was to score he knew that it was his team, forwards and backs, who had put him in the right place at the right time. With daylight fading Folkestone played out the game with Horsham unable to score even the traditional consolation try.
I mentioned Folkestone’s team play earlier and never have I seen a Folkestone team so together. These lads work hard for each other. There are no histrionics or tantrums. Just a belief in themselves and each other. They are confident without being arrogant or cocky.
Man of the Match was once again a difficult call. Richard Puddy had another terrific game in the front row. He is a brave, strong ball carrier and his line-out is a work of art. He has a great liaison with his jumpers, especially Jack McMurray who is brilliant in the line always winning his own ball and making a nuisance of himself on opposition line-outs. Lama and Brooks were dynamite together in the centre and, once again, Jonny Morton played very well. Ollie Brooks plays the game with passion. He is fearless and powerful. He missed much of last season and this season with serious illness. It was pleasing to see him back to his best today and he’s my Man of the Match. Fly half Scotty Evans has been a fine addition to the squad. His passing is superb. His passes allow the receiver to run onto the ball without having to go on the back foot and losing momentum. A word for Moose Murray who began life as a flanker who could also play scrum half and hooker. He took up the lock forward position last season and got better and better as the season progressed. This season coach, Darren Molloy, has asked him to become a prop forward. This quite insane very popular player will always give 100% wherever he plays. I’d always have him in the team not only for his skill but also because of his mouth. It never stops as he drives the team on. Under Molloy and Steve Milward he will have excellent tuition in the Dark Arts of the front row so do not be surprised if he becomes a very good prop forward.
So Folkestone remain unbeaten in the league but trail Crowborough by 2 points in the league. Folkestone are 6 points ahead of 3rd placed Medway and 15 ahead of 4th placed Sheppey so as the league settles down it looks to be the top 3 teams fighting it out for promotion with Crowborough, at the moment, looking favourites. It’s all building up to a big game on December 3 at Crowborough but coach Molloy will focus his players on the next matches, a league match against Bromley and a cup tie against East London, before the trip to Crowborough where we will see who blinks first!

PS Only a few supporters could travel to Horsham today but many of those who couldn't make the trip texted "Well Done" messages so thank you:

Ken Matcham - Bloody Brilliant
Carol Corke - They must feel over the moon. Well done and congratulations
John Kidson - Well done the lads
Drew Woolford - So pleased the boys are smashing them. Send my love x
Andy Dagger - Great stuff, get a jug for the boys on me
Billy Usher - Nice one m8 well done to all the lads again
Ben Flatman - Well done lads
David Baxter - Great news well done boys