A wild game, full of good and mediocre stuff, which was sneaked at the end by a spirited Beccehamian side.
With Beccs three pitches still underwater from the rains earlier in February the game was played half a mile down the field on a narrow uneven pitch.
BECCEHAMIANS 36 FOLKESTONE 33
Saturday 12 April 2014 Report by Colin Lane
A wild game, full of good and mediocre stuff, which was sneaked at the end by a spirited Beccehamian side. Their performance belied their demoted status and should stand them in good stead to bounce back next season. With Beccs three pitches still underwater from the rains earlier in February the game was played half a mile down the field on a narrow uneven pitch unsuited to Folkestone’s style of play.
Beccehamians made good use of brisk downwind in the first half and before Folkestone had woken up they were 19 points down and the hosts had scored 3 tries in the first 20 minutes with spirited rucking and mauling driving Folkestone back. The second try came out of the blue with a breakaway after Folkestone lost control of a 5 metre scrum. A kick ahead and determined follow up led to Beccs 3rd try. Another breakaway followed 5 minutes before time and the hosts scored their 4th and bonus point try just before halftime. Their outside centre Neil Page was having a wonderful game and Folkestone couldn’t cope with his pace and movement.
Just before half time Will Silvey fought his way through to score a try and convert it. 24-7. But Beccs also incurred the wrath of the referee and had 2 players in the sin bin as the half ended. No referee sees everything in the game and although some of his decisions were curious he was even handed and kept good control throughout. HT 24-7.
Down wind in the second half, Folkestone soon put together some good passing play for Jack Cox to break through two tackles and score, Will Silvey converted. 24-14. However Beccs again came back at Folkestone and scored an unconverted try after Folkestone had lost the ball deep in Beccs territory. 29-14.
Folkestone finally put together some worthwhile attacking moves. Adam Tolman broke through to score after 16 minutes with Will Silvey converting 29-21. David Baxter scored 8 minutes later with Will Silvey again slotting the kick. 29-28. Damien Dixon came on for Guy Ellis and Tim Wood on for Kieran Smith.
The game was now there for the visitors to win. Back came Folkestone with Will Silvey scoring wide out after some good interpassing which brought the game to a knife edge: 28-33 with 15 minutes to go. After another Folkestone attack faltered, with Chris Petley held up over the line the ensuing scrum was won but then a stray pass allowed Beccehamians no 13 Neil Page to make another wonderful break who strode upfield to feed his winger out of the tackle. 36–33. During the last five minutes Will Silvey was shown a yellow card and white line fever then afflicted Folkestone with man after man trying to make a name for themselves but the Beccehamian defence held firm, Game over. 36-33.
Team: Jack Cox; Thomo Murray, Adam Tolman, Jon Morton, Guy Ellis; Will Silvey, Jordan Godden; Martin Murray (Capt.), Steve Doughty, Tom Carvill; Ben Stringer, Liam Regardsoe; Kieran Smith, Chris Petley, David Baxter.
Subs: Alex Box, Tim Wood, Damien Dixon.
Scorers: Will Silvey 2T, 4C, 1Y; Jack Cox 1T; Adam Tolman 1T, David Baxter 1T.
