East Kent Plate Semi Final

Having won a close encounter at home the previous week against Whitstable, Folkestone travelled away with some optimism for a semi final which was a repeat of last year's final in this same competition.

The opening exchanges were pretty even with some decent handling among the backs releasing Sid Gurung to make good ground. However, despite some fine tackling, especially from Dylan Himbury and Jack Lord, Stones forwards soon found themselves under considerable pressure from a Whitstable eight who were working in unison upfront. Inevitably Whitstable went over in the corner for the game's opening unconverted score. 5-0. Shortly after Harry Clarke managed a try saving block from Whitstable’s danger man number 10. Always in the thick of things, Dylan Himbury ripped the ball and sent Charlie Green to burst up field giving much needed release from Whitstable’s dominance. Charlie Green repeated this trick a few minutes later utilising his exceptional pace. From the home team's clearing kick, Harry Clarke showed what a useful addition he is to the side by collecting securely and running back at the opposition strongly. However, having conceded a penalty just outside their own 22, Stones committed the cardinal sin of sitting back in defence inviting the ball carrier to score again in the other corner; the try once more unconverted.10-0 at half time.

Folkestone made a few personnel changes at the break but again found themselves on the back foot. Doug Wood affected a fine clearing kick and Rex Dingle put in a strong follow-up tackle only for the Whitstable No.10 to send a good kick downfield resulting in an eventual score under the posts. Surprisingly the kick was missed; 15 – 0. The home team were now well on top and were only kept at bay by spirited tackling with Sam Baker in particular to the fore. The home side went on to complete a comprehensive victory by scoring 3 more tries - 1 converted - for a final score of 32-0.

This game, expected to be a game with little to choose between these two sides, was won predominantly by the Whitstable forwards showing a greater will to win. They totally dominated the visiting forwards at the scrummage and at the breakdown with better technique and working as a unit of all 8 players. Stones were forever being out-rucked and were having big problems stopping the Whitstable rolling maul. Despite player unavailability and injuries before and during the course of the match, Whitstable deserved their clear victory. Hopefully, the Stones’ boys can put this below par performance behind them and find a way to play the kind of rugby on a consistent basis that brought them victory against this same set of players only seven days previously.