Bromley 20 FRFC 19

This is a hard report to write because I don’t want to be appear a bad loser. The Folkestone players weren’t at their best and their form was not helped with so many key players missing today. It’s fair to say that they played well in patches at Bromley but in the last 10 minutes when they were chasing the game they panicked and lost their discipline. But somebody else on the pitch had a major input to the score! I’ve never seen so many Folkestone supporters showing their obvious dissatisfaction with a referee. He regularly penalised Folkestone for being offside but managed to miss most of the regular and repeated offside infringements of the home team. Even the home supporters I talked to couldn’t believe their eyes. In the first half he did actually award a penalty to Folkestone. Scotty Evans took it quickly and was stopped by a Bromley player about 2 yards away. Did the ref push Bromley 10 metres back? You can guess the answer. Minutes later the same thing happened in reverse, this time with Bromley taking the quick penalty. Their player was stopped in similar fashion. Did the ref push Folkestone 10 metres back? Of course he did. In the second half he held his hand out signalling a penalty to Folkestone but 2 Folkestone players had the ball on the halfway line with nobody between them and the try-line. It was a certain try until the ref blew his whistle not allowing any advantage at all. Was he biased? No he wasn’t, because in the second half he missed a knock on as Jack Cox scored his second try of the game. Folkestone coach, Darren Molloy asked to have a chat with the ref after the game and maybe he explained his reasoning to Darren and if he did I’ll add it to this report when I hear from him. I think it’s fair to say that the referee realised he wasn’t flavour of the month with the Folkestone supporters and maybe he’ll read this report and he can make any comments he wishes
Anyway let’s get to the start of the match. Bromley chose to play up the slight slope with the raging Arctic wind behind them. They used that wind well when they were in defence, simply booting the ball up the park into the Folkestone 22 from their own 22. But in the opening minutes they were in attack and got off to the better start keeping their hands warm with good passing while the Stones' players froze desperately seeking the warmth of the ball in their hands. Bromley’s first score was in the third minute with a well struck penalty from their excellent kicker. 3-0.
Nine minutes later they scored a try from a quick tap penalty which saw them easing through the Folkestone defence. 8-0.
Another quick penalty minutes later saw Folkestone pushed back 10 metres and Bromley were 11-0 up.
Folkestone finally made some headway up the pitch and Jak Cox, who seems to always score a try when he is in the 1st XV, pounded down the left wing after being released by a good pass from Jon Morton. 11-5.
Another penalty saw Bromley increase their lead. 14-5.
Approaching the interval Folkestone appeared to be getting on top and another good pass from Morton, now playing with a rib injury, saw James Crittell in. Crittell who joined Folkestone from East Grinstead is a quality player who is earning much appreciation from the Stones’ support. Ball in hand he is always dangerous. From way out on the touchline and against the wind Brad Pearson hit a beautiful conversion. 14-12.
Looking forward to the wind behind their favourites the Folkestone support was in optimistic mood but then the fierce wind disappeared! And once again Bromley got into their game quicker and scored a try. 17-12.
Again Folkestone came back showing good form but only in patches. Crittell attacked inside the Bromley half and kicked the ball over the flat defence. It was a race to the ball with Cox winning it although I thought he had knocked on but he also appeared to have been tackled off the ball. The ref gave the try and Pearson added the conversion to put his team into the lead. 17-19.
Immediately from the restart the ref awarded a penalty to Bromley for something. I’ve got no idea what it was. It wasn’t an easy kick and to an audible sigh of relief from the visiting support the kick went inches wide. Was this a sign that Folkestone were, against the odds, going to win? No because a minute later Bromley were awarded another penalty but this time in front of the posts and the home kicker made no mistake. 20-19.
And that was that. I’ll make no more comments because I’m probably going to be sitting on the naughty seat later this week following my report here. Oh well, that’s life.
Man of the match for Folkestone? Richard Lama worked hard in midfield making big tackles and powerful drives. James Crittell looked dangerous every time he had the ball. Jak Cox, drafted into the team, scored 2 tries. Jon Morton played on after an early big tackle damaged his ribs and still put out some great passes. Mike Gardner is playing impressive stuff since his promotion from the 2nd XV and is now very much a 1st XV regular. His ball carrying is powerful. But my vote goes to Tim Wood. He’s not powerfully built but he gets stuck in to everything. In the first half he won 4 consecutive Bromley line-outs either relieving pressure or setting up attacks. Impressive stuff from the 17 year old and a nice present for his birthday on Tuesday.
On Saturday Folkestone are at home to Horsham in another tough match. If they want to win that one they’re going to have to keep hold of the ball much better than they did today.
Squad:
Richard Lama, Ross Carrigan, Will Massey, Pat Smith, Mike Gardner, Tim Wood, Richie Bowen, Chris Petley, Jake Johnson, Scotty Evans, Jon Morton, Seyhan Fell, Richard Lama, James Crittell, Jak Cox, Brad Pearson, Moose Murray, Thommo Murray, Frazer Hendy