by Chris Wood

Folkestone U14 7 – 10 Aylesford Bisons

This was the first game in a double-header also involving Thanet Wanderers, on a day that was expected to be a good test for the Squad. The early stages were fairly even but Aylesford were looking just a shade more committed in the rucks than the home side, who were guilty of being too slow to get to the breakdown and consequently coughed up possession too easily.
It was no surprise therefore, that the visitors opened the scoring. Having bossed a series of rucks and lured the ‘Stones backs out of position, the Bisons moved the ball out to their right wing, who had plenty of space to run round the outside and score in the corner. In breezy conditions the conversion was missed but Aylesford deserved to be 0-5 up.
Having started sluggishly, the Folkestone lads now finally began to wake up and began putting the visitors under pressure in their own 22. The scrum in particular was proving to be one area where ‘Stones were clearly on top. However a lack of composure and some wayward passing resulted in the pressure being squandered. An opportunistic hack out of defence then caught ‘Stones off guard and enabled Aylesford to score another try in the right corner. Again it was unconverted but at half time, Folkestone were 0-10 down.
The home side started the second half in much more determined fashion. A testing kick-off from Douglas Wood resulted in a lineout, at which Ben Proctor showed great anticipation to steal the ball. Mauling well, ‘Stones then carried the ball in to the opposition 22 and when the ball once more found its way to Ben Proctor, he stormed through the defence to score behind the posts. Douglas Wood duly converted and Folkestone were back in the game at 7-10.
However, the potential resurgence was to prove short-lived as for the remainder of the second half, Folkestone were again and again turned over by more committed Aylesford rucking. Excellent individual play from number eight Jack Lord, flanker Dylan Himbury and centre Sid Gurung, was too often wasted as the support was too slow to arrive and the Bisons were able to steal possession.
The second half ended with all the pressure being exerted by the visitors and they deserved their narrow victory.

Folkestone U14 5 – 31 Thanet Wanderers

Having been on the receiving end of several defeats against this Thanet team in recent seasons, Folkestone would have expected this to be a tough game and so it proved. Nevertheless, the home team started brightly and put the visitors under early pressure with some incisive running. Looking particularly dangerous was James Porter, who has recently returned to the squad after several years away from rugby. A welcome return indeed as his pace clearly troubled the Wanderers’ defence.
However a clearance kick from Thanet managed to find space behind the Folkestone line and their backs proved to be both skilled and ruthless as they passed their way through the Stones defence. The result was a good score under the posts for a try which was duly converted.
The ‘Stones boys looked keen to hit back quickly though and did so within a few minutes. Awarded a penalty just outside the Thanet 22, Folkestone fly-half Charlie Watson spun a quick pass out to James Porter, who showed great pace and a wicked side-step before touching down for a try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed but ‘Stones were happy to be within touching distance at 5-7.
A number of the Folkestone players were putting in some excellent individual performances. It is a shame therefore, that time and again good play was being wasted by a lack of teamwork. This was typified by a passage of play where Jack Lord single-handedly drove the Thanet pack off the ball, only to be let down by a lack of support from his team - the lonely ball promptly being picked up by grateful Thanet hands as the rest of the ‘Stones pack failed to make the most of Jack’s efforts.
This lack of team work was to prove costly, as Thanet are too good a side to let this go unpunished. It came as no surprise when a dangerous Thanet move, characterised by excellent support play and a lack of tackling around the legs by the ‘Stones defence, resulted in another try to the visitors. A very good conversion kick meant that the half time score was 5-14 to Thanet.
The visitors started the second half as they finished the first and good early pressure soon resulted in another try, this time unconverted. The score was now 5-19 and Folkestone needed to hit back quickly if they were to stay in the game. Ben Proctor did his best to turn things around, his powerful running causing problems for the Thanet defence. However giving away turnover ball once again, an opportunistic break from Thanet and some missed tackles resulted in another converted try. 5-26.
To their credit, the Folkestone lads did not let their heads drop and some tenacious tackling from George Way on the right wing set up a good position for the home team in the opposition 22. Unfortunately, for the umpteenth time, Folkestone were turned over yet again and Thanet were able to run ¾ of the length of the pitch to score another try. The conversion hit the post but the visitors were now well in control with the score at 5-31.
This ‘Stones team does not lack spirit though and they kept going to the end. Doug Wood unfortunately missed a drop-goal attempt and shortly afterwards full-back Harry Clarke showed great skill as he returned a 22 drop-out with a scything run through the Thanet defence. Such moments were in vain though and the final whistle went with Thanet the comfortable winners.
It seems harsh to be critical of this ‘Stones squad when so many individuals put in a huge effort today and genuinely showed skill, courage and commitment. However these individual qualities are not enough to win rugby matches. If this group of players can learn to play as a team and support each other in both attack and defence instinctively, then they have the talent to be a formidable unit. These are qualities that the coaching team have explained to these players often enough, so they need to listen to their coaches more and stop relying on the efforts of individuals. If not, then they will continue to lose these games, when they are definitely capable of winning them.