Folkestone U13's travelled to Gillingham for the Kent Festival knockout round

8th March 2015 Kent Under 13’s Festival Knockout Round at Gillingham RFC.
Report from Alison Hughes

Folkestone 19 – Sidcup 10

Folkestone travelled to Gillingham for the Kent Festival knockout round.

Their first match saw the team fire on all cylinders and redeem themselves from a lacklustre performance in the preliminaries last week.

An aggressive start by Folkestone, with some superb tackling by the team, led to Johnnie Hobbs powering over the line for his first try. Unfortunately the conversion was narrowly missed. Not to be left out, Freddie Faiers’ speed and agility took him over the line for Folkestone’s second try. Aurelien Austin adding a further 2 points to the board with a superb conversion. Sidcup responded, following a penalty in Folkestone’s 22, with a try of their own (not converted) despite a valiant effort by Tom Whelan to stop it. TJ Leather finished off a brilliant first half with a cracking try which again was expertly converted by Aurelien Austin.

The second half saw more excellent tackling by Folkestone but they were unable to stop Sidcup sneaking over with another try (not converted).

Folkestone 5 – Beccehamians 12

With a win under their belt Folkestone took on a considerably larger pack in the form of Beccehamians. It was soon apparent that Folkestone were going to have difficulty taking them on in the set piece. They also showed their skill with quick offloads and were soon over the line (no conversion). Folkestone didn’t lie down but bravely tackled and defended. With a penalty against Beccehamians, Johnnie Hobbs took a quick tap and go and gained good ground but Beccehamians regained control and composure and powered back up field to cross the line with a second try and conversion. TJ Leather showed his interception skills but Folkestone were unable to capitalise.

The second half saw Beccehamians concede a number of penalties and Freddie Faiers was able to break loose and powered up field and over the line for Folkestone’s only try of the match. Unfortunately a narrow miss for the conversion. Beccehamians responded with a massive push up into Folkestone’s 22 but Folkestone was saved by Joseph Faiers taking out the ball carrier.

The whole squad should be proud of their extensive efforts today.

Folkestone Squad: Aurelien Austin, Tiarnan Canning, Harry Curtis, Theo Dillon, Freddie Faiers, Joseph Faiers, Johnnie Hobbs (Captain), James Hughes, James Leather, TJ Leather, Callum Little, William Mead, William Rayner, Finley Russell, Oliver Turner, Thomas Whelan, Toby Wills.