League leaders Crowborough hold firm in atrocious conditions.

CROWBOROUGH 1stXV 17 FOLKESTONE 1stXV 10

Saturday 8th December 2018. LONDON 3SE. Report from R.G. Bargey and May Kittup.

In testing conditions, it seemed that some of the players had disobeyed the strict rules of rugger concerning celibacy and abstinence on the night before the match - such was the sheer exhaustion of both teams when the final whistle was blown.
The pitch at Crowborough was as soft as Folkestone Harbour at low tide and it was a question whether the heavyweight and lightweight combination of the home team could overcome the middleweights of the visitors in the eighty minutes of play. They could, but only with the advantage of a very lucky try and an eyebrow raising penalty try decision.
Crowborough are at the top-of-the table but Folkestone have won their last four games, accumulating 125 points, with fast and inventive play – but registering only one away win. The team was without Liam Trinder and Adam Tolman, but welcomed Louis Watson and Freddie Faiers into the fray.
The Duke of Wellington said after the Battle of Waterloo ‘’That was a dam’d close run thing,’’ and well might Crowborough cite these words – after conceding 55% of the territorial advantage to a gutsy Folkestone performance. Thirteen minutes had elapsed before Crow. made it into their visitor’s half and then 22 metre zone when eventually, following a line-out, the sheer weight of the pack managed to force play over the line for a try and a 5 – 0 against the run of play.
The Folkestone back row of Jordan Godden, Scott Stewart and Jeremie Cowell tackled, got up, and tackled again as Crow. probed, but gained nothing – and then they tried the high kicking game. This was a tactic that did earn a little ground, soon lost by the determined counter-attacking of Jon Morton, whose own kicking often had Crow. scuttling back. Bob Porter, with Mat Roots and Callum Palmieri also had Crow. retreating but it was difficult to make real headway against a resilient defence and the worsening, appalling, conditions – with the rain sweeping across the boggy field.
A great kick by Jon Morton found touch inside the Crow. 22 metre area and Colby Hayward and Harry Paton made it difficult for Crow. to break out as they were caught offside in the midfield, giving Seyhan Fell a penalty kick at goal from 22 metres – converted into 3 points. 5-3.
Crowborough had an excellent tactic, on the day, of ‘Giraffe’** kicks and quickly found success when a wicked bounce evaded the cover defence and angled three metres sideways into the arms of the Crow. wing man –who had a clear run through to touch down - too easy, and very unfortunate for Folkestone. 10 – 3.
John Eustace charged down another kick and combined well with Kyle Deakin and Daniel Hillier who had a strong run up to the line but was forced back - and Scott Stewart made an exciting solo effort to end the first half which The Stones had the most of territory and possession.
It was intended to use the half time interlude to include a few jokes, but Steve Hughes asked that no Welsh jokes should be told – but that was unnecessary because they are all banned by the RSPCA.
The second half saw Seyhan Fell putting Folkestone straight back into attack with a 45-metre kick, followed up by a forward charge to the line, but an offence gave Crow. a scrum and recovery, Jordan Godden and John Eustace were outstanding in attack and defence - and Jon Morton’s quick decision making set The Stones off again, but passing movements were hampered by the greasy ball. Debutante Alex Price and Kieran Smith came on to relieve the hard-tackling Jeremie Cowell and Colby Hayward – and then it was a wet debut to 1XV rugger for Freddie Faiers, another player brought up from the Junior section, to give Daniel Hillier a rest.
Crowborough went onto the attack and encamped in the Folkestone 22 metre zone with determination – but no more so than that of the Folkestone defence who held up wave after wave of pick and charge close to the line – and then, out-of-the blue, the referee awarded a penalty try to Crowborough for reasons that baffled even the home supporters. But the seven points was as welcome for Crowborough as it was wretched for The Stones to go 17– 3 behind after a more than equal effort.
Then, another blow to The Stones as the ever-active Callum Palmieri limped off with a foot injury – Colby Hayward coming back on, with Jordan Godden going to scrum half. Crowborough had a period where they showed that their league position was fully understandable, but The Stones fought back when Freddie Faiers made a good kick down the line with Jon Morton just failing to ground the ball. Folkestone had the ball over the Crowborough line three more times with kicks, and follow-ups – but the home defence was secure.
In the last 10 minutes, The Stones went all out to break down the Crowborough barriers. Alex Price and Rob Godden were trammelling everything that came their way to contribute to a massive effort – rewarded when, after a shrewdly placed kick found touch 10 metres out from the Crow. line. A well taken line ball by Rob Godden, took play into a moving maul with Kieran Smith and Mat Roots at the forefront – and powering their way over the line for the try to be awarded. Seyhan Fell took a magnificent conversion, into the wind and rain from far out, and the ball went through the posts for the bonus point 17 – 10. A last effort by both teams to score decisively was resisted and the game finished with both teams having given their all, in abominable conditions, but managing to create a great game of rugger.
And to finish here is a rugby joke for the V.P Christmas lunch (Meet 11:30, Sit Down 12:00) next week when Folkestone entertain Hastings and Bexhill (K.O. 2 p.m.) A bride on her wedding night, says to her husband ‘’I must confess darling, I was a hooker.’’ He says – ‘’that’s alright dear, your past is the past, but I must admit I find it quite erotic. Tell me about it.’’ She replies ‘’Well, my name was Julian, and I played for Wigan.’’
** High Balls
Team: Seyhan Fell (Capt.); Louis Watson, Kyle Deakin, John Eustace, Daniel Hillier; Callum Palmieri; Harry Paton, Bob Porter, Mat Roots; Colby Hayward, Rob Godden; Jeremie Cowell, Jordan Godden, Scott Stewart.
Subs: Freddie Faiers, Alex Price, Kieran Smith.
Scorers: Seyhan Fell 3, 2; Mat Roots 5.