Folkestone continue their winning ways

Folkestone brought back some of their rising stars with Jack Brooks in the centre, Jordan Godden at scrum half and our favourite “silver back” Dave Baxter in the second row. They all proved their worth in an excellent game with Folkestone continuing their winning ways where it matters – in the league matches.
They started at a cracking pace and took on what looked a strong Beccehamian pack and drove it into their opponent’s 22. A good ball was delivered by the pack and Jordan Godden took his chance to dive over foe the opening try, Seyhan Fell converted. The forwards kept up their pressure and a kick and chase saw Tolman go close. The new scrummaging laws are working and we had the very rare sight of Stones winning one against the head. Godden gave a long pass to Tolman and, selling two dummies on the way he scored under the posts, Fell again converting. Ben Stringer was having a hard time and was taken off to go to hospital with suspected broken ribs.
Beccehamians decide to come back into the game and their centre jinked his way through a few feeble tackles to score wide out. No conversion. This shook Stones out of any complacency and they started to produce some of their best rugby with Baxter and others charging on and setting up a strong run from John Eustace. Sadly his scoring pass was knocked on, but back they came and Fell made several metres to find the ever hungry Tolman at his elbow to run in another try, wth Fell again converting.
Folkestone snuffed out a gutsy Beccehamian attack, Chris Petley stole the ball in the loose, found Jack Brooks who set up a kick and chase. Brother Ben gathered and jinked to the line to send Baxter crashing over for a try. Fell converted again. Folkestone were playing adventurous and clever rugby and Tolman made another break through to give Ben Brooks a well deserved try. No conversion and at half-time the score was 31-5
Beccehamians started the second half well and were pressing on Folkestone’s try line, but brave tackling and scrimmaging kept them out. Petley was again prominent clearing out the loose ball and tackling like a demon. The home side were playing good rugby but too many final passes were being delivered late or badly and several scoring opportunities were lost. Mat Roots, who had played a big part in subduing the opposing pack, went off and was replaced by young Aaron Robbins who marked his debut by crashing through his opponents to give Tolman another try, again Fell converted. Petley stole the ball again and set Mike Gardener off on a searing run. He did a marvellous offload to enable Tolman to do a kick and chase and collect yet another try. Petley and Eustace set up another strong attack but the final pass to Ben Brooks was judged to be forward. Ben unwisely chose to dispute the referee’s decision and was rightly given a yellow card.
The Stones were losing the precision they had in the first half and were over-elaborating their moves. But Jon Morton steadied the ship and was just denied a try of his own after another good feed by Godden and Gardener. The latter was then detected in some skulduggery (obstruction in diving on the ball in front of an opposition player) and got a yellow card for it. As Ben Brooks came back Jack Cox got a third yellow card (diving over a ruck). These three punishments were entirely unnecessary and against stronger opposition could cost Folkestone matches.
With Stones down to 13 men Beccehamian took their chance and powered over for a good forwards try. Baxter made a searing break and when stopped set the ball perfectly and Godden finished as he started with a second try wide out. Fell’s excellent conversion attempt bounced off the upright. Final score 50 – 10.
It was another good game to watch with some scintillating rugby being played, Then who to make man of the match? Should it be Tolman for his try creating and try scoring? Or should it be Fell for his running and fantastic place kicking? In the end most of us felt it was Chris Petley for his tackling and keenness to win the ball for his outsides to thrive on.
Next week will be a severe test with a local derby away against Ashford, who won the Spitfire Tournament 3 weeks ago.
Our veterans are having a Memorial Lunch next Saturday to honour the memory of Joe Edwards and John Lord who both died on the pitch at New Burlington Field.
Team: S. Fell; J. Morton, J Brooks, J. Eustace, B. Brooks; A. Tolman, J. Godden; M. Murray (Capt.), J. Cox (W. Blandford), M. Roots (A. Robbins); B. Stringer (A. Randall), D. Baxter; K. Murray, C. Petley, M. Gardner.
J V Kidson 14/9/2014