Kent Cup Away vs Beckenham

Following a winning end to last season Folkestone U14s started their participation in the Kent Rugby Cup with victory away at Beckenham. The home side scored first and converted in damp conditions but a superb solo try by Casper Giles down the left wing brought the score to 7-5. A period of intense play with excellent defending by a committed Folkestone back line preceded another Beckenham try made it 12-5 at half-time. Team captain Kian Lambert had work to do with his half-time talk...…..and the team responded. Folkestone came out strongly in the second half with an exceptional scrum creating a great platform for the backline to perform. Tight-head prop Edward Clare, getting his first try for the club, started the scoring following a driving maul over the line with Kian Lambert converting to draw the scoreline level at 12-12. With 10 minutes to go centre Cairo Ellis made an excellent run through the opposition defence for Folkestone to take the lead 12-19. Three minutes from time Beckenham cored their 3rd try which was converted to bring the score to 19-19. The match was on a knife-edge. In the final minute Cairo Ellis made another scything run after a great pass from fly-half William Smith and crossed the line to win the match 19-26. Lambert converted in deteriorating weather conditions to finish with a conversion success rate of 75%. The match was played with tremendous passion by both teams and every player gave their all in wet conditions. At full time both teams praised one another and are eager to meet again later in the season for a rematch.