FRFC 77 Medway 7

Watching the teams warm up before the match, I felt that Folkestone were going to suffer against the heavier visiting pack. My fears were quickly dispelled however for, from the first scrum the Medway pack were constantly going backwards.
The score opened with a beautifully executed try when Jordan Godden took the ball out of a loose maul and kicked diagonally to the left hand wing to see Cai Ap Bryn catch the ball in flight and feed Jamie Woolford inside him who scored an
unconverted try. Ben Stringer then plucked the ball out of a loose maul near the visitors line and fed Andy Burrows who promptly dropped a goal.
Ap Bryn then added another try before Tony Bass got in on the act to break through from the 10 metre line to romp home under the posts for Ap Bryn to convert. Pavel Martyniuk then fed the ball along the line only to loop around and score in the corner. 27 – 0
Medway were on one of their infrequent visits into home territory when Harry Paton saved a certain try by dispossessing his opposite number under the posts for Burrows to find a safe touch downfield.
Everybody wanted to get in on the act and Ben Stringer burst down to the Medway line only to be dragged down. Godden was up in support, snatched the ball from under the visitors noses to stroll over for another converted try.
The game was fast and furious with backs and forwards inter-passing and but for the odd dropped ball, forward pass etc., the final score could have been even higher. My one criticism was that everybody wanted to score and threw away numerous chances by tacking the tackler rather than drawing the player and passing to the supporting runners.
However the half time score was a comfortable 37 – 0.
Martyniuk burst down the wing again, tackled but popped the ball up to Woolford in support to score a converted try under the posts.
John Harrison replaced Jordan Godden at scrum half and it’s a great pity that working on a Saturday prevents Godden from playing every week as it denies him the opportunity to seek a position in the senior sides.
Burrows again made a solo break to run in under the posts for Ap Bryn to convert. Jamie Slater then showed his previous promise by sprinting up the right wind to outstrip the defence and score in the corner. Jamie needs to ask Mrs. Slater to let him out on Tuesday and Thursday nights to train with the senior squads which could result in rapid promotion for him.
Medway then scored a consolation try when their outside half just waltzed through the line to score under the posts and convert his own try.
Ben Stringer was having a blinder and again burst through the opposition from No.8 to score followed quickly by Daffydd Thomas with another under the posts. Stringer then started another move which included Simon Petts putting Burrows over in the corner.
Harry Paton scored the final try which he deserved for all the hard graft he put in and the 3rds can be proud of this all-round performance.
My Man of the Match award goes to Ben Stringer for he seemed to be crashing through tackles and scattering players around him thoughout the game.
Rob Jackson had a good game under the high ball and with Dave Tumber formed an unbeatable line out duo. Peter White, CDB and Harry Paton coped easily with their heavier opponents and Captain Simon Petts needs to keep this side together if possible as there is a nice mix of youth and experience with the desire to score and move the ball about. A good game to watch for Folkestone supporters, in a day of brilliant sunshine and no wind. How long will that last I wonder???