FRFC 21 Old Alleynians 24

For the opening twenty minutes of this match things were fairly even with neither side dominating the possession or territorial advantage. It was obvious however that the visitors were a well drilled side and capable of moving the ball around the field with swift passing and neat off loads in the tackle. Folkestone were holding their own until a move
around the blind side by Old Alleynians saw them outflank the defence to score an unconverted try in the corner.0 - 5.
Welcome back to Nick Ford, Adam Tolman and Trevor Squire who, with John Eustace in the
centre did well to hold the young side together. As the Academy had no
game this week-end several of their players were elevated to gain the
experience and Hendy, Flatman, Robbins and Johnson showed they are
capable of playing at this level.
The visitors then began to put Folkestone under pressure and within a space of twenty minutes had increased their score by three tries and a conversion. Half time score 0 - 24.
Folkestone realised they needed to get back into the game quickly and Godden did just that with the assistance of Tolman to gain a converted try 7 - 24.Tolman also contributed to a near try by Eustace who was dragged down inches short of the line. Folkestone were now trying everything within their power to get points on the board and a kick out of defence into the arms of Squire nearly produced the next score. Finding a bank of opposition players in front of him he chipped into the in-goal area and appeared to be first to the touch down but the referee ruled that the ball had been minored.As mentioned, Old
Alleynians were a competent side and Folkestone were finding it
difficult to break the defence down. However, Tolman did a solo act,
and from behind a scrum in the opposition 10 metre area burst down the
middle to cross under the posts for another converted try. 14 - 24.

Johnson had a break down the middle and Hendy and Godden also had sorties into enemy territory but their defence held firm.
Eustace then had his usual crash bang burst up the middle only to be dragged down in front of the posts. He managed however to pop the ball up to Tolman in support to add another converted try. 21 - 24. They had the better of the second half but could not just gain the extra points for a draw or a win. However it was a valiant effort to come back from 24 points down to within spitting distance of a win. Captain Keiran Smith and Coach/Manager Leigh Fitchie can be proud of the effort they put in instead of letting their heads drop.