Having thumped Horsham away last week, Folkestone were brimming with confidence before this game

Folkestone 53 v Uckfield 13
Report by Steve Hughes.
Having thumped Horsham away last week, Folkestone were brimming with confidence before this game, determined to secure that third spot in the League - and they did it in style. Talking of style, they took the pitch in a set of gruesome orange and red hooped shirts, navy shorts and green socks - Llewellyn-Bowen would have had a touch of the vapours...Folkestone fielded nearly the same side as last week with the exception of Steve Doughty replacing Tom Carvill (University game next Wednesday) and Thommo Murray replacing Richard Dagger (working). However, it was a sunny day with a firm ground and a huge crowd, not only assembled to see the match but to provide a well deserved send off for Club stalwart Ian Fell who has sold his successful hotel business and moves with his wife to Cyprus and sunnier climes. It was a sad day for the Club not only to lose Ian but also his son Seyhan who played his last game before jetting off to Thailand and then New Zealand for a
year. The Club will sorely miss both of them. Then at the end of the match Will Turner declared that he too had played his last game for the Firsts as work and holidays will keep him busy until the end of the season. Another stalwart we shall miss but it is hoped that he will play at a more leisurely pace next season in the lower sides.
This was a tremendous game to watch and Folkestone get better and better as the season draws to a close. Perhaps not as clinical a game as last week with the odd slight mishap limiting the score which could easily have reached 70 plus. This did not detract from the enjoyment of the crowd as the game proved to be a feast of running rugby. Adam Tolman started the ball rolling with a hazy run down into the Uckfield half for Seyhan Fell to convert a penalty.
Chris Petley, playing at No.8 then fed Adam Tolman from a scrum near the visitor’s line to see him crash over for a try which Seyhan Fell converted.10 - 0
Uckfield then struck back with a penalty of their own 10 - 3 but they were struggling for possession against a heavy but mobile home eight. The new pairing of Liam Regardsoe and Ben Stringer is working well and providing the beef behind the front row of Captain Martin Murray, Warren Blandford and Steve Doughty who could not be considered as lightweights either. Seyhan Fell added another penalty 13 -3 and was then involved in a mesmerising flurry of passes between Ollie Walton, and John Eustace to put Adam Tolman over in the corner for his second, this time unconverted. 18 – 3.
The forwards and threequarters were putting together numerous phases which Uckfield could not control and only desperate defence kept their line intact. On one of the rare occasions the visitors got into the home red zone they managed a try after a series of pick and drives to bring the half time score to 18 - 8

The second half proved to be a scintillating game of running rugby with Folkestone knocking in 33 points in 40 minutes and the first try was the best of the game. From their own 22 area every one of the backs handled the ball, with Adam Tolman and Seyhan Fell twice in the move to send Seyhan Fell over and see him convert. 25 - 8.
John Eustace was his usual wrecking-ball self crashing into or through the opposition and he and Ollie Walton have struck up a working partnership in the middle of the park. The back row of Will Turner, Mike Gardner and Chris Petley are marauders and Chris Petley and Adam Tolman have clicked at the base of the scrum. Adam Tolman and Will Silvey orchestrate the back line and Ritchie Bowen and Thommo Murray on the wings are getting their fair share of the ball. Will Silvey and Ollie Walton combined to send Seyhan Fell around the defence to score and convert his own try. 32-8. Shortly afterwards Richie Bowen added another which Seyhan Fell also converted. 39 - 8.
Folkestone were then put under pressure and from a series of pick and drives, Uckfield managed to score an unconverted try. 39-13.
The Folkestone forwards also wanted to get in on the act and 'Moose' Martin, steve Doughty, Ben Stringer and Liam Regardsoe all carried well. Chris Petley, Steve Doughty, Adam Tolman, Will Silvey and John Eustace then combined to put Jack Cox over under the posts for Seyhan Fell to add the extra two points 46 - 13.
A break by Richie Bowen up the middle of the field saw Chris Petley latch on to the ball, feed John Eustace to who sent Richie Bowen diving into the corner for a try and Seyhan Fell converted from the touchline. (We are going to miss his kicking ability).53 -13
There was little point in trying to select Man of the Match as there were so many to chose from and the team as a whole deserve the accolade.
Next week Folkestone face perhaps a stiffer task when they entertain Dartfordians K.O. 3 p.m.