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Sat 18 Feb 2012 · London 3 South East
Uckfield
1st XV
3
10
Tries: N Ford, C Petley
Uckfield 3 FRFC 10
Phil Cooper18 Feb 2012 - 20:29
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Folkestone Dig Deep for Victory
Folkestone coach, Darren Molloy, didn’t enjoy the build-up for this match as he lost 3 players to injury in the club training sessions. It was almost a 4th when Jake Johnson had to pass a late fitness test to get the OK to play. It was typical of his determination that he should then be Folkestone’s Man of the Match with another terrific performance. This young man has no fear as he charges into the opposition and how the Stones supporters love to watch him charging down the pitch.
Right from the start Folkestone were under the cosh as Uckfield pushed hard for the opening score. An early clearance kick was charged down by Uckfield and it led to Folkestone giving away a 5 metre scrum. The ref blew for a penalty which led to a second home scrum in front of the posts. The ref again penalised Folkestone and Uckfield opted for the easy 3 points to take the lead. The Folkestone supporters were relieved as most had expected Uckfield to take another scrum to see if they could tease the referee to give them a penalty try. 3-0.
On the 10th minute things got worse for the visitors when they lost Richard Puddy to an ankle ligaments injury. Puddy has been in fantastic form and this sort of injury may see him miss out on quite a few upcoming very important games. Darren Molloy will want him back in the team as soon as possible before he returns home to New Zealand in April. He will be much missed.
Folkestone were finding it difficult to play anywhere near their usual high standard and found themselves on the back foot for much of the 1st half as Uckfield looked for another score. But the excellent Folkestone defence kept them out leaving the score at 3-0 as the teams changed ends.
In the second half, though, Folkestone came out like a different team. Molloy and his assistant coaches had quite clearly managed to lift the team and now it was Folkestone on the front foot continually pushing their opponents into their own half. It was looking just a matter of time for a Stones score. It came in the 48th minute as Folkestone worked the ball from right wing to left wing allowing Nick Ford to score in the corner. 3-5.
Ford is a good signing for Folkestone. He is a classy player who reads the game well. Having enjoyed a “gap year” from rugby he needs game time and will get better and better.
It was now mainly Folkestone on the attack but Uckfield have great spirit and they fought for every inch of the pitch. As the game reached it’s final phase it was clear that whoever scored the next try would win the game. It went to Folkestone as they attacked Uckfield down the centre. They won a penalty inside the home 22. Chris Petley had the ball in his hands and, seeing a gap in the home defence, the youngster took a quick tap to himself and went for the gap. 3-10. Watching the match his girlfriend, Magdalena Podgorska, who had travelled all the way from Poland to watch the game must have been very proud as Folkestone’s very own Milky Bar Kid effectively won the game.
The final few minutes seemed to last for hours as Uckfield looked for a converted try to level the game but the Folkestone defence held them off despite 2 good scrum drives from the Uckfield pack which got them close to the tryline. I am very impressed with the Stones defence especially when they are in an “all hands to the pumps” situation. They throw their bodies in the way and show great spirit and determination.
To be honest it wasn’t the most entertaining of games. The pitch was sticky and the rain got heavier and heavier. But if tense atmospheres is your fancy this was heart attack stuff. Considering they were not at their best Folkestone did very well to grind out a victory. Uckfield will be kicking themselves because they had a good chance to win this match but they could not find any gaps in the Folkestone defence.
Next week the team has a rest from league matches when they travel to play Maidstone in the regional semi final of the Senior Vase. After Maidstone beating Folkestone in the league a few weeks ago and them having home advantage they start as favourites. But Folkestone have shown they can dig deep to get results and the players are showing great determination so don’t ever count them out. Whoever wins that match is just 2 games from a Twickenham final and if that doesn’t motivate rugby players then nothing will.
Right from the start Folkestone were under the cosh as Uckfield pushed hard for the opening score. An early clearance kick was charged down by Uckfield and it led to Folkestone giving away a 5 metre scrum. The ref blew for a penalty which led to a second home scrum in front of the posts. The ref again penalised Folkestone and Uckfield opted for the easy 3 points to take the lead. The Folkestone supporters were relieved as most had expected Uckfield to take another scrum to see if they could tease the referee to give them a penalty try. 3-0.
On the 10th minute things got worse for the visitors when they lost Richard Puddy to an ankle ligaments injury. Puddy has been in fantastic form and this sort of injury may see him miss out on quite a few upcoming very important games. Darren Molloy will want him back in the team as soon as possible before he returns home to New Zealand in April. He will be much missed.
Folkestone were finding it difficult to play anywhere near their usual high standard and found themselves on the back foot for much of the 1st half as Uckfield looked for another score. But the excellent Folkestone defence kept them out leaving the score at 3-0 as the teams changed ends.
In the second half, though, Folkestone came out like a different team. Molloy and his assistant coaches had quite clearly managed to lift the team and now it was Folkestone on the front foot continually pushing their opponents into their own half. It was looking just a matter of time for a Stones score. It came in the 48th minute as Folkestone worked the ball from right wing to left wing allowing Nick Ford to score in the corner. 3-5.
Ford is a good signing for Folkestone. He is a classy player who reads the game well. Having enjoyed a “gap year” from rugby he needs game time and will get better and better.
It was now mainly Folkestone on the attack but Uckfield have great spirit and they fought for every inch of the pitch. As the game reached it’s final phase it was clear that whoever scored the next try would win the game. It went to Folkestone as they attacked Uckfield down the centre. They won a penalty inside the home 22. Chris Petley had the ball in his hands and, seeing a gap in the home defence, the youngster took a quick tap to himself and went for the gap. 3-10. Watching the match his girlfriend, Magdalena Podgorska, who had travelled all the way from Poland to watch the game must have been very proud as Folkestone’s very own Milky Bar Kid effectively won the game.
The final few minutes seemed to last for hours as Uckfield looked for a converted try to level the game but the Folkestone defence held them off despite 2 good scrum drives from the Uckfield pack which got them close to the tryline. I am very impressed with the Stones defence especially when they are in an “all hands to the pumps” situation. They throw their bodies in the way and show great spirit and determination.
To be honest it wasn’t the most entertaining of games. The pitch was sticky and the rain got heavier and heavier. But if tense atmospheres is your fancy this was heart attack stuff. Considering they were not at their best Folkestone did very well to grind out a victory. Uckfield will be kicking themselves because they had a good chance to win this match but they could not find any gaps in the Folkestone defence.
Next week the team has a rest from league matches when they travel to play Maidstone in the regional semi final of the Senior Vase. After Maidstone beating Folkestone in the league a few weeks ago and them having home advantage they start as favourites. But Folkestone have shown they can dig deep to get results and the players are showing great determination so don’t ever count them out. Whoever wins that match is just 2 games from a Twickenham final and if that doesn’t motivate rugby players then nothing will.
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