FOLKESTONE BEATEN IN DEFENCE, IN ATTACK AND IN THE MUD

PARK HOUSE 1stXV 19 FOLKESTONE 1stXV 3
Saturday 9th November 2019. London 3SE. By: Terry Bull.

FOLKESTONE BEATEN IN DEFENCE AND IN ATTACK AND IN THE MUD

Park House have been a thorn in Folkestone’s side previously – and, in similar conditions to those of this day, but there were no excuses as they were beaten both in attack and in defence, having thrice refused opportunities to put the scoreboard to work.

Conditions were appalling – wet, miserable and cold and far, far away from those that Folkestone have shone so brightly in so far this season. They were completely unable to adapt to the slippery, heavy, narrow pitch that presented Itself to the players in the warm-up. The rain fell consistently throughout the match, and with no floodlights the gloom slowly descended at the same rate as Folkestone’s hopes of recovery until the final whistle when it was hardly possible to distinguish one team from another as they trudged off the field through the mud and the crepuscular light.
The first half was exceptional, and such has rarely, if ever, been seen before. Park missed a penalty from 24 metres out in the opening minute after James Mead was judged off-side in front of Seyhan Fell’s long kick into space – and they followed one kick and held ground for 20 seconds in Folkestone’s half in the middle session of play but for all the remainder Park were forced to defend in their own half – until the last 20 seconds, when they scored a try!

The Stones attacked and attacked again as play settled in the Park House 30 metre zone of the pitch, but they could not handle the ball with anything like the aplomb we associate with the team. Passes were thrown into space or thrown low, or knocked-on, lineouts were lost as Park seemed to have broken Folkestone’s line-out code. When Folkestone did seriously threaten the line the Park House defence was up to everything that was put against them. Park racked up five penalties in the early part of the game and a referee’ warning, but Folkestone – who had the measure of the big Park pack, mysteriously decided to forego the temptation of three points and kick for the 5 metre line-outs, which they duly lost – or take a scrum option which was usually disrupted to nought by the Park House forwards.

Folkestone went close when Callum Palmieri changed tactics and kicked long for the corner and with Freddy Fraiers at full speed it was a scrap to pick up the ball against a single opponent who managed to find relief in touch. Colby Hayward and James Mead both were pulled back from the try line after passing movements had been put together – but every time Folkestone attacked Park House seemed to find more men to resist – and resist they did successfully for the whole half, whilst Folkestone were becoming more and more frustrated at their failure to be able to score the try that beckoned so often.

Park’s second penalty of the game came in the last minute of the first half that put them up to the Folkestone 22 metre line and ball was kicked clear, but the referee brought play back for a Folkestone penalty that was taken as a tap followed by a pass that was dropped backwards, they regained it and threw a pass to open space - seized by Park who trotted through for a gift of try. 7 – 0.

The second half was almost a complete reversal of the first as now Park took over the territory and pinned Folkestone back in their own half but a brief foray into attack saw Liam Trinder attempted and failed in an individual effort to break through the wet and muddy wall but Seyhan Fell put an ensuing penalty kick through the posts to make the gap four points. 7-3. Dave Jarvis and Jon Morton came on to replace Scott Stewart and Freddie Faiers, but it was to no avail, as Park struck back to encamp themselves well into the Folkestone half of the field.

The penalty count against Park in the first 50 minutes of the game was 11 – 3[ and to Folkestone’s advantage, but now it reversed and penalty after penalty was awarded against the visitors. Park House had plans for these and play was directed towards the corners – Where it is known, from long experience, is Park’s favourite place for scoring tries. Adam Tolman made one try saving tackle as waves of attacks came at them. Park won a line-out 7 metres out they assembled 10 players in a mighty maul and yard by yard heaved themselves over the try line. 14 – 3.

This game was drawing towards a foregone conclusion – Folkestone could not cope with the conditions and Park’s ability to use them so well. It was sad to see this fast passing and fast running entertaining team reduced to a shadow of what they have achieved this season. The final irony was, when once again in hard defence of their line, a clearance kick was just plopped into the hands of the attacking three-quarters and a third try was scored in the last minutes of the game. 19 – 3.

Folkestone played Park into this game by their failure to register scores in the first half. Park were inspired by their success and turned this into points, leaving Folkestone without a try for the first time in the last 26 matches. Enormous credit must be given to Park House for taking apart the league leaders, winning the game well, and giving Folkestone much to think about their tactics and decisions in conditions which they do not relish.

Team: Adam Tolman, Freddie Faiers, John Eustace, Seyhan Fell (Capt.), James Mead; Callum Palmieri, Lewis Howland; Tom Snare, Connor Leather, Dave Ballard; Rob Godden, Kieran Smith; Colby Hayward, Liam Trinder, Scott Stewart.
Subs. James Archer, Dave Jarvis, Jon Morton.

Score: Seyhan Fell 3.