Gravesend 0 FRFC 67

by Steve Hughes

Folkestone travelled to Gravesend to fulfill the Club's last fixture
of the season and certainly went out with a bang.They had a little help
from Jack McMurray, Jack Cox, Moose Murray and Jon Morton who helped
raise the momentum of the game and the side were consequently too
strong for the opposition.

In perefect weather for a game of rugby Folkestone opened up in a cavalier style normally related to the play by the Barbarians. The game
was fast and furious with some delightful moves and ball handling
skills not normally associated with the Third XV. Everybody got
involved and enjoyed a feast of rugby in which there were nine tries,
six conversions and two penalties.

If Simon Pett's side could play this style of rugby every week without
the support mentioned previously they will surely win the League next
year.

Newcomers coming through the ranks are Ian Curtis a big strong
centre, Jamie Slater, Tom Nunn and Ross Clark all confident and
competent threequarters. In the pack we had the stalwards (notice I
dropped the 'old') in Peter White, Alex Box and Nobby Clark as the
front three with Tony Bass, Ben Stringer, Simon Petts, Dave Tumber,
Gareth Webber, Alan Bacon switching places as subs behind them.

Morton opened the scoring with a penalty followed by a McMurray try
which Morton converted. The side then really got into gear with a try
by The Moose (his first of the season), Cai Ap Bryn, Cox and Ricky
Wincote (nice to see him back) another by McMurray and a final flourish
by Ross Clark adding two tries with some lovely finishing touches.
Cox and Morton shared the conversions between them which varied between
the standard place kick and drop kicks.

An excellent game of open rugby to watch made all the more interesting
as Gravesend never gave up and kept on plugging away until the end.
Unfortunately it appears that they will be relegated next year which is
a pity for a team with such spirit and determination needs to retain
its place without having to fight in future to be elevated once more.
However, good luck to them and hope we see them back season after next.