Folkestone U13s at Kent Festival Qualifying

Sunday saw the Folkestone squad make the journey to the outskirts of London for the Kent U13s Qualifying Day. Hosted at the impressive Eltham College by Old Elthamians the boys amongst themselves had decided to play on despite depleted numbers.

The lads were to play 3 games across the morning, first facing off against Old Beccehamians, Canterbury B, concluding with the hosts, Old Elthamians; the boys were in for a tough day.

Their first game was a classic Folkestone game of 2 halves, losing 26-0 at half time the boys were not able to put together any meaningful rugby. Maybe they needed some time to warm up in the chilly conditions, but the boys were much improved in the second half. Lewis Hammerton was able to score from what should have been a straightforward set piece, which the boys intelligently adapted allowing Lewis Hammerton his deserved score. Beccahamians also scored in the 2nd half, leaving the first game 31-5 lose, but the second half was a huge improvement.
The second game against Canterbury B was the lads’ opportunity to make their mark, to build on their earlier hard work. Folkestone indeed dominated early on in the game, strong running and good rugbly saw Nikesh Thapa-Chhetri force his way through much of the Canterbury defence, before Joseph Faiers scooped up the ball to score a try, which was then converted by Cameron Brown. This gave the boys a 7-0 lead at half time. However a cruel reversal of fortunes saw Canterbury score 17 points without answer in the second half and Folkestone started to tire, finishing the game at 7-17 to Canterbury B.

The final game against the hosts, Old Elthamians had the hosts on the brink of topping the group, and them needing tries. The Folkestone lads had given their all up to this point and had no answers for the strength of the hosts. The game finished 49-0 to Old Elthamians.

Folkestone vs Beccahamians 5-31
Try Scorer Lewis Hammerton

Folkestone vs Canterbury B 7-17
Try scorer Joseph Faiers
Conversion Cameron Brown

Folkestone vs Old Elthamians 0-49

Squad: Ryan Adams, Ethan Bailey, Dominic Bowden, Cameron Brown, Tom Cloke, Kieran Dorrell, Alfie Dove, Joseph Faiers, Lewis Hammerton, Ethan Holt, Tim Izod, George James, Leon Santer, Kian Supple, Nikesh Thapa-Chhetri, Harry Wells, Toby Yemm