VIGO 1stXV 12 FOLKESTONE 1stXV 13
Saturday 29th February 2020. LONDON 3SE. Report By:- Sean Belvoir

A WEAK LEAP FORWARD FOR FOLKESTONE AFTER A STRUGGLE.

Folkestone's unbeaten record in 2020 was severely tested in a poor game at Vigo, where neither side could come to terms with difficult conditions. A strong cross wind and a heavy playing surface were not those that favoured the free running and passing team that, nevertheless, continue to be strong promotion candidates after the closest of winning margins.

It was evident after 20 minutes of exchanges between the 22 metre lines that handling, passing and kicking were all under pressure, but it was Vigo that broke the routine of mistakes with a try after a remarkable piece of luck. They had clearly knocked-on in a tackle, and the referee signalled, but played advantage to Folkestone, but play never came within 15 metres of the advantage line – and still going backwards a pass went astray, Vigo picked it up and ran through to score a converted try. 7 – 0.

Seyhan Fell reduced this hurt by an excellent, long, angled penalty kick from 42 metres only a couple of minutes later. 7-3. Vigo showed, as they did at Folkestone, that they are a tough and talented opposition, but conceding penalties and handling errors, stifled their efforts. Jordan Godden and Jack Green combined strongly in a blindside move with Jack brought down inches short. This set Folkestone up a series of pick and drives and scrums (following more desperation penalties) with the ball being carried over, seemingly for a try, but the referee was unable to see a grounding.

Vigo came back strongly but the Folkestone back row of Liam Trinder, Alex Price and Colby Hayward were quick to support the backs as tackles poured in. Callum Palmieri stole a ball and an opening was there, but woeful passing impeded progress. It as all very frustrating as Folkestone had an edge in the scrums and rucks and were solid in the line-outs. Mat Roots was a tower of strength in the mauls and Jordan Godden was strong and unpredictable from the scrums and rucks, but meaningful play could not develop from any advantage gained.

Coach, Darren Molloy used his substitutes of Jeremie Cowell and Tom Snare to replace Kieran Smith and Mat Roots. But it was 50 minutes into the game when a change came. Vigo had conceded two penalties having worked their way into to the Folkestone 22 metre zone – these reversed the field positions as Folkestone won a scrum on the Vigo 22 metre line. They then bodily propelled the substantial Vigo pack of forwards backwards for the whole of 22 metres and Liam Trinder was to score the try that gave The Stones the lead 7 – 8. The conversion going wide.

Vigo fought back and, as Folkestone in the first half, managed to get the ball over the try line, but unable to ground it. But it was a determined attack and an equally resolute defence that kept the score line intact. For a period, Vigo were the beneficiaries of mishandling and miskicking as Folkstone could not put any meaningful piece of teamwork together. Vigo missed a long, straight penalty but eventually the pressure was rewarded with a smart blindside move from a scrum on the 22-metre line when Folkestone were left with inadequate defence against the left wing. A try, but a missed conversion, took the score to 12 – 8 – and Folkestone were so bedraggled that it looked ominous.

But something must have clicked, or the dawn of realisation was recognised, as Thomas Mackenzie came on to relieve Colby Hayward and Mat Roots came on for the hard- working James Archer. The Stones started, for the first time in the game to put together a series of attacks with fast accurate passing and handling. Vigo were put into defensive mode as the ball was returned centre field, a tackle, a maul and Tom Snare emerged, legs working like pistons, as he powered forward and over the line to score. 12 – 13 with 6 minutes to play. The conversion, in the wicked wind, hit the post and bounced back infield.

Folkestone had the winning score and gave Vigo little, or no chance, of recovery and victory was theirs as Callum Palmieri kicked the ball 60 metres into the next field to claim the win.

Four points for Folkestone and one point for Vigo were the spoils of an unsatisfactory game when both teams were unable to play the rugby, they are clearly capable of. But the result, with four matches left, and with three teams vying for promotion makes the fixture in a fortnight against Bromley, in third place, looking more and more like a promotion decider. Let it be hoped that the ground will dry, the wind will drop and the temperature be spring like. (Or is that a forlorn a hope as seeing pigs fly?)

Team: Seyhan Fell (Capt.); Thomo Murray, Jon Morton, John Eustace, Jack Green; Callum Palmieri, Jordan Godden; James Archer, Connor Leather, Mat Roots; Kieran Smith, Rob Godden, Colby Hayward, Alex Price, Liam Trinder.
Subs: Tom Snare, Jeremie Cowell, Thomas MacKenzie.

Scorers: Fell 3; Trinder 5; Snare 5.
Scoring: - Pen Fell 7 – 3 (24) Try, Trinder. 7 – 8 (51). Try, Snare 12 – 13.