Good away win against local rivals

A skeleton squad of 16 players travelled to the Dover’s Crabble ground; due mainly to school rugby tours, illnesses and injuries. Folkestone, however, soon lost their sole substitute when Dover asked to borrow a player to make up their squad. Billi agreed to change shirts for the first half to help Dover out as a centre/winger; a job he did well.

The first 10 minutes were a bit tentative with some Folkestone players settling into new playing positions and Dover very determined to crash ball through the middle; these attacks thwarted by centres Charlie Hewitt and Harry Wren, with some outstanding tackling and ripping of the ball from flankers Scotty McAdam and Dan Croker. Folkestone began to open up with some width play and started getting the wingers James Willis and Zac Nixon running and enjoying the fray, supported by Harry and some outstanding yardage won by Charlie Howitt, which exposed the Dover defence and it was not long before Stones got their first try. The Stones’ scrum front row featured our tried and tested formula of Chin at loose head, Connor Leather hooking and Louis Santer at tight head; which was proving to be an unbeatable combination. The scrum was backed up by a superb second row of Luke Thorpe and Teds Morris, both were at every breakdown and won possession commandingly. A new face at Folkestone, Alex Price was drafted into No 8, and pinned the scrum convincingly, whilst throwing himself into the loose at every opportunity. Folkestone’s pack is not just about bulk and muscle, their support play at pace was very impressive with Louis and Ted’s supporting fast paced play through the hands.

Highlights of the second half were again a bunch of tries, but more importantly the style of play changed so that when playing in the opposition’s 22 Stones were using several phases of play from the pack, peeling off and gaining territory, and freeing up the backs to run at pace into overlaps as defenders were dragged in. One such phase of play, which started way back in the visitor’s half, with supporting running from Harry, Scotty and Josh was outstanding, allowing Louis to go over for his second try. Louis was able to thank Josh for this support later in the game when he popped a pass to Josh a metre from the line unopposed for Josh to score.

The connection between the forwards and backs was delivered very competently by Jack Lewis at scrum half, this was undoubtedly the best game he has ever played in all the many years he has been at Folkestone and as his confidence grew with performing the basics so well, so did the score.

Credit to Dover in that they did not give up until the final whistle, and they kept pushing the attack through some very testing kicks to full back Hobbs, who displayed a cool head, a good boot and a fast pair of heels. Folkestone’s fitness was clear to see, everyone played the full 50 minutes, and put a massive effort in.

Folkestone’s tries scored by Scotty McAdam(2), Harry Wren(2), Louis Santer(2), Josh and Hobbsy and Charlie with Josh demonstrating kicking excellence converting 6 for a further 12 points.
Man of the match for Folkestone - Scotty McAdam with a superb work rate, great playmaking and a general all round thorn in the side of the home team.

Folkestone U13s Squad: Leather, Alchin, Santer, Morris, Thorpe, Croker, McAdam, Price, Lewis, Palmer, Wren, Hewitt, Hobbs, Nixon, Willis, Billi.