FRFC 38 Vigo 0

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Folkestone welcomed Vigo to the New Burlington for the first time in the London league after they were promoted from Kent 1. Vigo have found it tough in this league having lost their 4 previous matches this season. They were probably optimistic about getting a result here given Folkestone’s poor start to the season, winning only 1 of their first 3 league matches, away to Gillingham Anchorians who were promoted with Vigo. But that 1 league victory and a second win, also over Anchorians in the RFU Senior Vase last weekend have kick-started Folkestone’s season and they are almost back to their entertaining best.

To be honest a win for Vigo didn’t look possible once the match started. Folkestone’s pack took control of scrums and line-outs and when the Folkestone pack stuck the ball up a jumper and drove the maul they were pushing the visitors back 20 metres and more giving the home backs the ball on the front foot. Waves of attack kept Vigo pinned inside their own half. Had the ball not become a bar of soap Folkestone could easily have doubled their try count to 12.
Vigo managed to subdue the Folkestone attack for 20 minutes but then the dam burst when the Stones’ pack turned over a Vigo line-out. The ball flashed across the park from left to right. Considering the wet conditions the ball handling was of a high standard. The ball eventually went to Jon Morton who, playing at fly half, has been a major element in the improvement of the Stones in recent games. He has the natural ability to time the pass perfectly creating gaps for his colleagues to sprint into. This time he found the impressive James Crittell who streaked through the visitors’ defence and opened the scoring. Brad Pearson added the conversion. 7-0.

8 minutes later and the same double act increased Folkestone’s lead before Pearson added another conversion. 14-0.

Crittell was also involved in the next score. Since transferring in from East Grinstead he is rapidly becoming a supporters’ favourite with his strong running. This time he made ground into the Vigo 22 supported by Jake Johnson who is always shadowing the ball looking for the opportunity to ram forward. This ability and courage has made Johnson a crowd pleaser and as he dived over the line for the 3rd try his private army of supporters were roaring him on. Pearson added another conversion. 21-0.

At the interval the home supporters were looking forward to the 4th bonus point try but excellent defence and a slippery ball prevented Folkestone earning that bonus point until the 65th minute. The Folkestone backs were launching their wave attack when the ball went to Tom Carvill. Remember the name. He has just turned 18 so is now able to play in the front row and he has been counting the days until he could join the Stones’front row. He's one to watch, he's strong, tough and he's mobile. He blasted his way through and getting the ball to Jake Johnson for his second score. 26-0.

Folkestone lost their concentration at this point knowing the game was won. But they still managed some more scores before the end of the game. Firstly Mat Roots pushed through the Vigo defence and in came Richard Bowen for one of his dynamic runs to the line. This youngster knows how to create momentum and mayhem as he blasts through defenders as if they weren’t there. Seyhan Fell added the conversion. 33-0.

In the final minute Folkestone skipper, Richard Lama, took the ball deep into Vigo territory finding Johnson who, again, punched a hole in the Vigo defence. Fell came in from deep so that when Johnson passed to him he was flying and absolutely unstoppable. 38-0.

This win pushes Folkestone up the league table from 11th to 6th place. On Saturday they travel to Bromley, always a difficult place to earn victory. They need to win and they can do it but their ball handling and concentration must improve.

The referee at today’s match told me that the Folkestone backs were the best he’s seen and certainly when they are flying and the ball sticks they are a fearsome unit with attacks coming all over the pitch. Today the Folkestone pack was well on top. The front 5 were driving Vigo backwards and the back row were tackling anything that moved forcing turnovers. Coach, Darren Molloy has managed to lure some new players into his squad. Forwards, Pat Smith and Mike Gardner (unavailable today) have been promoted from the 2nd XV and are showing just how good they are. Youngsters, Carvill, Brad Pearson, Tim Wood Frazer Hendy, Jo Johnson & Lewis Howland (both unavailable today) are playing with great flair and pace fighting for 1st XV shirts. Prop, Ross Carrigan, in from Dover, Richard Bowen, in from Canterbury and James Crittell, in from East Grinstead have all settled well into the squad and they all bring something special to the table.
Man of the Match? Again a difficult call. Morton and Crittell were constantly a danger to the visitors. Ben Brooks, although scoreless today was always a big danger, it took 4 players to stop him which created gaps for Folkestone to drive into. Flanker, Bowen,a real terrier , always gives everything. But for me the front row of Carrigan, Massey and Smith were on top from the start so it’s another fence-seat for me sharing it amongst them.
Squad:
Richard Lama, Ross Carrigan, Will Massey, Pat Smith, Ben Flatman, Tim Wood, Richard Bowen, Chris Petley, Jake Johnson, Scotty Evans, Jon Morton, Ben Brooks, Richard Lama, James Crittell, Seyhan Fell, Brad Pearson, Tom Carvill, Mat Roots, Frazer Hendy