Folkestone started where they left off last week, scoring within seconds of the start!

12th October 2013 London 3 South East

Last week Folkestone scored in the last 60 seconds of the match and this week opened the scoring in the first 30 seconds. Sheppey did not know what hit them when, from the kick off, John Eustace made the break, fed Adam Tolman who drew the full back to send Jon Morton racing in from 40 metres out to score under the posts. Seyhan Fell added the conversion 7 - 0. From the restart I think it was Tom Carvill or Scottie Stewart who caught the ball and fed Tolman, Fell came steaming up from full back to chip inside for Tom Carvill to collect the bouncing ball and score under the posts. Fell added the two points and the ‘Stones were 14 – 0 points up in under three minutes.
Within two minutes Tolman had increased the score again by pushing a grubber kick between the defenders and beating everyone to the touch down. Fell added the complimentary two points 21 -0.
Folkestone were playing some magical rugby with the ball flowing between forwards and backs to put pressure on the visitors.
However it was Sheppey who scored next by working their way down field then moving the ball to create an overlap to score a converted try. 21 - 7.
Seyhan Fell then added a penalty to give the home side a handsome lead of 24 - 7 before Adam Tolman worked his magic again to send Fell over for another try which he was unable to convert 29 - 7.
The home three-quarters were on a roll and Eustace, Tolman, Fell and Dagger seemed to be constantly running with the ball. Jack Brooks was having a quiet time as the ball constantly flowed to the other wing but he enjoyed his fair share of tackling.
From the above it sounds as if only the backs were involved in the game but all eight of the forwards were working their socks off to provide the ball for them to run with. Carvill, Stewart, Mike Gardner and Jack Cox were really enjoying themselves whilst Chris Petley and Will Turner seemed to be everywhere. The silky running of Turner was particularly enjoyable to watch as he weaved his way through the opposition with skill gained through experience.
This is a particularly young side and it is pleasing to record that they are all 'home grown' without an import amongst them. The front row of Captain 'Moose' Murray, Jack Cox and Carvill did more than hold their own with support from behind from Kev Murray and Stewart and pushed Sheppey around the park in the set scrums.
Eustace appeared with the ball again to feed Tolman, then Fell to send Dagger away for another try which Fell converted. 36 - 7.
Eustace broke the line again and Tolman fed Jon Morton who was tackled short of the line. A penalty ensued and Tolman took a quick tap penalty to dance between defenders to score which Fell then converted. Half time score was 43 - 7.
Within two minutes of the start scrum half Jordan Godden and flanker Petley combined to send lock Kev Murray over and Fell converted from the touchline. 50 - 7.
Folkestone appeared to relax somewhat and Sheppey came back into the reckoning but it was Folkestone again who scored next when Godden and Morton combined to send young Jack Brooks in for an unconverted try. 55 – 7.
Matt Roots took the place of Cox and Ben Brooks replaced Morton. It must please the coaching staff of Darren Malloy, Leigh Fitchie and Mark Spearpoint to see their hard work during the training nights coming to fruition and paying huge dividends whilst maintaining the same squad.
Sheppey were still battling away and were awarded with a try for their persistence using the pick and drive method to get into the home 22 m area and crash over for an unconverted try 55-12.
Roots then fed Morton who took off on a diagonal line across the pitch weaving in and out of defenders to finally cross for a try without being tackled. An excellent individual try - no conversion 60 - 12.
The next home try was typical of the effort between forwards and backs when Godden, Petley, Stewart, Turner and Jack Brooks worked together to get Fell over the line to convert his own try 67 - 12 In the dying minutes Folkestone’s defence were not able to stop a sprint down the touchline by a Sheppey player to score in the corner. No conversion and the whistle blew with the score at 67 -17.
There was much jubilation in the dressing room at such a sweet victory and the icing on the cake came when we were informed that Thanet had beaten Horsham which puts Folkestone on top of the League table. Well done lads for an excellent performance. Makes me proud to me part of the set up...
There was no Man of the Match Award as so many players warranted a reference and this week’s award goes to all eighteen who entertained the large crowd in style.
Team: S Fell; R Dagger, J. Eustace, J Morton, J Brooks; A Tolman, J Godden; M Murray (Capt.), J Cox, T Carvill; S Stewart, K Murray; W Turner, C Petley, M Gardner. Subs: M Roots, A. Randall, B Brooks.
Scorers: J Morton 2T, T Carvill 1T, A Tolman 2T, Fell 2T 7C 1P,R Dagger 1T, K Murray 1T, J Brooks 1T.