Folkestone victory at Gravesend

Stones U13s triumph at Gravesend

By Mark Santer

Despite what seemed like a sheltered location on Gravesend’s first team pitch it proved to be very windy and Folkestone started with the wind against them in a very spirited game at Gravesend.

The start showed Folkestone were wide awake and incredibly determined; it was clear that coach Palmer's stirring words pre-game had fired the team up with Stones’ scoring an early try, with the conversion added from the dependable boot of Josh Palmer. Excellent work by the forwards, Luke Thorpe, Connor Leather, Ali Sutton and Teds Morris made it clear to Gravesend that they would have to work hard to force a reply and hard work by the visitors, against a very determined home attack, kept them out for most of the first half. However, Gravesend were not to be shut out and Stones allowed them a try, unconverted, but followed up with a converted try of their own which demonstrated just how quick Charlie Stratford is. Despite Charlie’s quick break Stones had three support players; Isaac Bolton, Harry Wren and Scotty McAdam, all hard on his heels which impressed the visiting coaches even more so than the try. Before the break both teams added another score to give the visitors a half time lead of 33 points to 14.

Folkestone finished the first half playing confident rugby with some very timely tackles by Price, Hobbs and Wren which was preserving the lead and keeping Gravesend at arm’s length.

The connection between Scrum half Jack Lewis and No10 Guy Carney continued to work well into the second half, working quality ball from ruck and maul out to Harry Wren, Josh Palmer and Alex Price. When support was needed a safe pair of hands and a quality kick up field was provided by Jack Hobbs. Isaac battled well in his channel until he was substituted by Zac Nixon, who replicated Isaac's pace and determination.

Chin as expected commanded the pack well and along with Louis Santer, Scotty and Connor showed what yards an athletic front row can achieve; with driving and passing moves between them, at pace, from the halfway line to the 5 metre line, certainly cheering the visiting spectators on a chilly day. Stones continued through the second half shipping the ball around with great confidence and the requested upping of the pace from coaches Palmer and Santer delivered some beautiful, flowing rugby. Folkestone were unlucky to have a penalty try awarded against them for a high tackle which brought the home sides only score of the second half, whilst the Stones went on to run in three more tries to bring a final score of Gravesend 19 Folkestone 52. All in all a fantastic day’s work and the coaches can be very pleased with all that was achieved.

Man of the Match; Charlie Stratford

Folkestone U13s extend their thanks to Gravesend for their hospitality, and their compliments about the fitness and playing quality of the squad.

FRFC U13s SQUAD: Alchin (cpt); Leather; Santer; Sutton; Thorpe; Morriss; McAdam; Stratford; Lewis; Hobbs; Carney; Wren; Palmer; Nixon; Price; Bolton.