‘Stones travelled to the depths of Sussex to resume their league fixtures after three weeks which involved two defeats and a postponement
It is traditional towards this time of year to exchange gifts and whilst Folkestone eagerly, it seemed, gave generously - a mean Uckfield team refused to reciprocate.
It is traditional towards this time of year to exchange gifts and whilst Folkestone eagerly, it seemed, gave generously - a mean Uckfield team refused to reciprocate.
‘Stones travelled to the depths of Sussex to resume their league fixtures after three weeks which involved two defeats and a postponement. Uckfield were just one place clear of the relegation zone, but Folkestone were well placed to approach the half-way stage in a healthy league position in fourth place and with a match in hand..
The result of this game did not alter the league situation for either, but other results saw rivals Ashford and Thanet open up a healthy lead at the top of London South East Division 3.
It is a tradition at Uckfield that first team players making their debut are thrown into the River Uck, after the game. This duly happened to one unfortunate – and it was a pity that the referee’s whistle didn’t follow.
Adam Tolman. Chris Petley, Michael Gardner and were welcomed back into the selected team but the powerful Mat Roots was unavailable. Otherwise coach Darren Molloy, with a smaller than usual injury list, has a good depth of players to choose from.
The opening minutes saw the young looking home side enthusiastically pressure the ‘Stones but the defence looked comfortably able to handle the situation. That was until the 8th minute when two, (or was it three?) awful missed tackles enabled an easy run in by the opposition left wing. A good conversion gave them a 7 – 0 lead.
This seemed to unnerve Folkestone and encourage Uckfield, and 15 minutes had passed before the ‘Stones mounted their first determined attack. First, Scott Stewart and Michael Gardner were stopped just short and then Adam Tolman from scrum-half set up attacks left and right, by Richard Dagger, Chris Petley and Will Turner – all to no avail.
An equalising score looked inevitable and although another penalty gave Uckfield some relief they were soon under pressure again. A desperate fly kick by the Uckfield centre found 40 yards of space – but every Folkestone player was lined up to score their first try and the defence was left wide open for Uckfield to collect the ball and gleefully score an unopposed try against the run of play – and a 12 – 0 lead. This was brought back to 12 – 3 following a penalty kick by Seyhan Fell
But only minutes later, whilst all the ‘Stones were pondering the score board, the opposition centre broke through three more missed tackles to score near the posts for a converted try and an unlikely 19 – 3 lead.
Folkestone were rampant in retaliation and the forwards lead by Martin Murray gained 25 metres in one movement when Adam Tolman fed his hungry three-quarters for John Eustace to feed Seyhan Fell, joining the line from full-back, a good try was scored on the right wing to reduce the deficit to 19 -8 at half-time.
Some unreportable words were said at the break by coach Darren Molloy and as a result the ‘Stones created a second half with 70% possession and 75% ground advantage. All this and playing with 14 men for half of the time.
Michael Gardner was yellow carded for what the referee thought was a high tackle when it was clear to those who had a good view – it was nothing of the sort. And Adam Tolman was sin-binned for the first time ever in his long rugby career.
Adam Tolman was a persistent thorn in the side of Uckfield – so much so they awarded him the man-of-the match in the later presentations. He fed fast passes from the base of the scrum, left and right, created openings and when he was blatantly obstructed he pushed away the offending player only to have the yellow card shown to him. Oh dear!
Penalties were in abundance throughout this game, equally shared, and with a following wind Seyhan Fell kicked a good one to slowly reduce the deficit to 19 – 11. And now Uckfield had little alternative but to keenly defend their lead.
Adam Tolman got over the line only to knock-on but a tremendous forwards effort after one hour of play was unstoppable, even by a determined Uckfield defence, and Michael Gardner touched down in the pushover on the far right wing.
At 19-16 and playing well, the ‘Stones looked to be the most likely winners and when yet another penalty was awarded in front of the posts Seyhan Fell made no mistake to level the scores at 19 – 19.
More penalties and more whistle saw play see-sawing for a while until Uckfield were given a mysterious and potential match winning easily kickable penalty for their only score in the second half and a 22 – 19 lead.
But to even things out, the referee gave Folkestone a penalty on the stroke of full time to give Seyhan Fell an easy chance (for him) to make a draw at 22 – 22.
This was a good, enthusiastic and clean game, with all players contributing in spite of the sound of the referees whistle. Folkestone were frustrated continuously by failing to convert opportunities into points and to create the open spaces for their fast men. Nevertheless Folkestone will give credit to Uckfield for being able to hold them to a draw.
Next week, at home against Burgess Hill, the ‘Stones will regroup for another attempt to resume their winning rugby that was intact until November came along.
Team: Seyhan Fell; Richard Dagger, Jon Morton, John Eustace, Richie Bowen; Chris Petley, Adam Tolman; Martin Murray (Capt), Warren Blandford, Tom Carvill; Adam Fullerton, Scott Stewart; Will Turner; Kevin Murray, Michael Gardner.
Subs: Kieran Smith, Damien Dixon, Steve Doughty.
