Folkestone notch up 52 points at Burgess Hill

22nd March 2014 Report by Alan Schofield

Folkestone made the 180 mile round trip to West Sussex to take on lowly placed Burgess Hill in their 20th league game of the season – which has been one of the most encouraging and successful in recent years. Folkestone have lost only 4 games, they were looking to end the season on a flourish and secure their third place in this very competitive division for the top 6 places.
Burgess Hill, the West Sussex team newly promoted last year, have found the standard to be a little above their level and unfortunately have conceded an average of almost 40 points during the season – with the highest points against of the whole league giving 93 of these to Folkestone in the reverse fixture last November. Moreover they needed to win one of their three remaining hard games to avoid certain relegation. It is particularly tough on teams such as Burgess Hill when they are deservedly promoted only to then lose some of their best players to other more senior Clubs in the close area.
Their chances of their winning this one was thwarted within 18 minutes by which time Folkestone were 21 points in the lead. Burgess Hill lost the first scrum and the first line-out, both with their ball – and this was ominous for them. Few Clubs can match Folkestone’s backs, but when the forwards dominate also – it’s time to sharpen the pencil as it’s going to be all action. John Eustace and Adam Tolman linked to give heavyweight Tom Carvill a chance to barge through and score under the posts.0-5. Ollie Walton – the new kicking discovery, following Seyhan Fell taking a gap year in New Zealand, had no difficulty in converting. 0-7.
John Eustace twanged a ham string and was replaced by Jack Cox, Which meant a number of positional chances with Adam Tolman moving from scrum half to fly half with Jordan Godden moving into the scrum half position.
Olly Walton scored the next 7 points when he scored a good try, breaking through the defence after Chris Petley had snapped up a loose ball whilst the opposition dithered. 0-14. Three minutes later Adam Tolman intercepted on his own 10 metre line and no-one could catch him. 0-19. Ollie Walton converted and notched up 11 points in his personal tally. 0-21.
Burgess Hill fought back with the advantage of three penalty kicks and after 27 minutes were awarded a converted pushover try in a melee on the try line. 7 – 21. But Folkestone were all over their opposition with Kevin Murray and Chris Petley winning most of the line-outs and it was from such a won ball that a beautiful cross field move through the three quarters was started, leaving ‘Thomo’ Murray clear to score on the right wing. 0-26. Richie Bowen could have added another within minutes when he carried three tacklers 8 metres through to the line – but was unluckily yellow carded for a careless stamp – which apparently was not from his boot. Half time 7-26.
Half Time brought Folkestone slope advantage, but wind disadvantage, but only a minute had passed before the young giant Liam Regardsoe scored his debut try after Will Silvey had fed him with a well-timed pass. Liam is 6’ 5” and 18 stones and strong! Half of the Burgess Hill pack could not prevent him scoring under the posts. 7-31. Ollie Walton converted and the gap opened to 7 – 33 after only 42 minutes.
Regrettably the game was being played to the tune of the referees whistle, and whilst this is clearly the responsibility of the players it does tend to mar the enjoyment for players and spectators alike. Burgess Hill were throwing everything they could into the game but The Stones had them defending for long periods. Ben Stringer and Will Massey stopped brief attacks and Jack Cox made a good individual break before, after 47 minutes, a minor fracas saw yellow cards being issued to players of both teams, Jordan Godden being the selected recipient for The Stones.
Richie Bowen scored the next try to finish what was another bamboozling movement by Folkestone which saw the ball go from the right to the centre and to the left, probably through 10 passes, and the score moved from 7- 38 to 7 -40 with Ollie Walton’s good conversion kick. Only 5 minutes later Richie Bowen scored again! Jack Cox ran one of the frequent kicks away by Burgess Hill and simply passed to Richie Bowen who, in typical fashion, carried two opposition players on his back through, to lift the score to 7 – 45.
Tom Carvill and Stevie Doughty were replaced by Mark Bartlett and Kieran Smith after an hour and only 3 minutes later Adam Tolman was given a gap by Jordan Godden and Chris Petley and he duly touched down for Folkestone’s eighth try of the match. 7-50. Ollie Walton converted to bring his personal contribution to 17 points. 7-52.
Perhaps The Stones, having reached 52 points, relaxed a little and they were forced to concede another pushover try after the umpteenth penalty gave Burgess Hill an attacking position and after 75 minutes the final score of 14 – 52 was achieved.
Richie Bowen was denied a hat-trick in the final minute when he touched down following another strong short run on the left wing. But the referee saw a very slight retaliatory push after the ruck that provided Richie the ball, and the touchdown came before the penalty. And to rub salt into the wound the referee yellow carded Liam Regardsoe in stoppage time for a tackle he judged to be late.
It is doubtful whether Folkestone can lose their secure third place position in the league after this win, and Ashford will be nervous being only 4 points in front in their sought after promotion place. Burgess Hill will, unfortunately be relegated.
Team: Jordan Godden; Thomo Murray, Ollie Walton, John Eustace, Richie Bowen; Will Silvey, Adam Tolman; Martin Murray (Capt), Steve Doughty, Tom Carvill; Liam Regardsoe, Ben Stringer; Will Massey, Kevin Murray, Chris Petley.
Subs: Mark Bartlett, Kieran Smith, Jack Cox.