LAST MINUTE THANET TRY A CRUEL BLOW FOR STONES

Folkestone U14s 5 Thanet U14s 10

Sunday 7th February 2016 Report from Austin Neil

LAST MINUTE TRY BY THANET A CRUEL BLOW FOR STONES.

Stones took on the high flying and unbeaten for 2 years Thanet side in blustery conditions on Sunday with everyone including Thanet agreeing a draw would have been a fairer result.

Folkestone kicked off with the wind behind them and spent the majority of the first half camped in the Thanet half and it was only a matter of time before the Stones pressure resulted in a score - a well worked move started with Aurelien Austin selling a dummy to split the Thanet defence and making 20 metres before offloading to Dylan Barnes whose intelligent kick forward led to Brandon Miller-Lesley diving on the ball to score. The well struck conversion by Ted Bean sailed just wide and Stones were ahead 5-0.
Stones commitment to the task was outstanding, playing 15 man rugby with ferocious tackling and never allowing Thanet to construct their usual flowing game.

Thanet kicked off the second half this time with the wind behind them, however the Stones defence was solid and it was some 20 minutes into the second half before Thanet scored following a penalty close to the Stones line the conversion was missed bringing the score to 5-5.
Stones picked themselves up and started to put pressure on Thanet and a further score looked possible but unfortunately could not be delivered. The game was in its final minute when the Thanet fly half broke clear passing to his winger who scored in the corner with the last movement of the match. 5-10.

Every member of the Stones squad raised their game for this match and continued their excellent recent form which augers well for the final run in of the season. Captain Johnnie Hobbs and William Rayner dominated the forward exchanges whilst Adam Butler was a constant thorn in Thanet’s side both in attack and defence.

Stones can be proud of this performance against a very good Thanet side who we will meet again in the East Kent Cup final later in the season.

Squad: Johnnie Hobbs (captain),Ciaran Hughes, Thomas Whelan, William Rayner, Lewis Dorrell, Jake Beal, George Bass, Ted Bean, Tyler Marjoram, Tiarnan Canning, Tom Leather, Aurelien Austin, James Hughes, Dylan Barnes, Adam Butler, Finley Russell, Brandon Miller-Lesley, Freddie Faiers, Harry Curtis, Callan Little, James Little.