More silverware for the Under 11s

Folkestone Under 11s started the Kent Festival Prelims optimistically with a well-deserved win over Old Colfeians 25-5 before managing to lose against arch local rivals Ashford 0-20. However, this was nearly rectified in the next pool game by Stones upping their game and putting in a respectable performance against an impressive and physical Old Dartfordians; the 0 -15 loss did not reflect the excellent tackles and effort put in by namely Hobbs, Barnes, and Rayner. Folkestone finished the day with a rousing victory over Sidcup 15-0. This game saw the team return to some of their old form with controlled passing and terrific spurts from Barnes; to qualify for the Bowl Final to be played at Tonbridge Juddians RFC.

Arriving at TJ’s ground the team prepared themselves for two hard matches. The semi final was against the home team TJs for which Folkestone, despite making it hard for themselves, put together some good team efforts to beat the home side by 20 points to 15; tries from (1) Dylan Barnes, Ciaran Hughes, Freddie Faiers and one we will say Freddy The Bear as both were eager to claim, to reach the final against Bromley.

Lining up against a bulky Bromley side in all honesty it was like David vs Goliath and the young Stones soon realised they would have to change their game plan if they wanted to lift the trophy. With some well worked, quick recycling moves Folkestone ran in 6 tries in the first half, thus bringing an early finish to the game by registering a margin of plus 30 points. Stones’ scorers were William Mead, Dylan Barnes, Will(The Bear) Rayner, Ciaran Hughes and Freddie Faiers who scored 2.

Coach Turner was for once happy with the result and said the boys had stepped up their game and had done the Club proud

Folkestone Under 11s Squad:
Hobbs (capt), Austin, Barnes, Dorrell, Faiers, Hobbs, C.Hughes, J.Hughes, Leather, Little, McCleod, Mead, Phillips, Rayner, Russell, Stickells, Stone, Whelan, Wills