Under 11's v Ashford RFC

On a mild September afternoon, in perfect conditions for running rugby, Ashford and Folkestone’s Under 11’s met at Kinney’s field. Only, unusually for mini’s, the day was Saturday and the game was the curtain raiser to the much anticipated derby between Ashford and FRFC’s 1st teams. The under 11’s were thus afforded superstar status as they trained and played on Ashford’s first team pitch.

With Folkestone receiving from kick-off, a physical encounter was soon under way with Joseph Faiers making rapid progress down the left touch line after some tough and uncompromising tackling from Tristan Parmenter. Ashford did well to rebuff Folkestone’s attacking start and quickly found themselves awarded a penalty as the offside rule was enforced with Folkestone coming in from the side of the ruck.

From the ensuing penalty Ashford launched a counter attack, spreading the ball wide meticulously Ashford thought they were over for a try but the ball was held up by Archie Green and TJ Leather and the scrum at the 5m line awarded to Ashford. Ashford retained possession and immediately had Folkestone on the back foot, going over for a try, making it 5-0 to the home side.

Thomas Reina’s re-start was again good and the level of practice that has gone into them was clearly visible. Unfortunately, Folkestone conceded a penalty for a high tackle but with some good pressure in the lineout from Parmenter, Ashford’s offensive capabilities were kept quiet and the half drew to a close, the score remaining 5-0 to the hosts.

The second half was again started with a high kick-off from Reina, this time forcing a knock-on from an Ashford player, however, Folkestone failed to build on the re-start and were put under pressure from an Ashford scrum that seemed to have an edge due to the sheer size of the Ashford front row (it took a while for the lighter Folkestone pack to get to grips with Ashford’s but all of Kieran Dorrell, Ryan Adams, Alfie Dove, Dominic Bowden and Benjamin Povah who played mainly in the front row at various times put in a massive effort to gain parity before the end of the match). After several phases of play, Ashford went over to double their lead, 10-0 to the hosts, despite another effort from Green to hold the ball up, Green’s still protesting now.

Some excellent tackling from Kian Supple and Faiers led to a Folkestone penalty (Ashford not staying on their feet in the ruck). Reina found a good touch. Dorrell produced a magical throw in from the lineout with the ball eventually reaching Faiers in the back line. The rest was a lesson in poise, agility and an unmistakeable eye for the try line that Faiers has. The score 10-5 to the hosts.

Not long after, Faiers was in the thick of the action again, this time teaming up with Thomas Cloke and Parmenter to make another superb run down the right touch line.

Folkestone, sensing an upset raised their game and corresponding intensity. Cohen Double made a good run up the middle, closely supported by Dove. Ashford, however, had other ideas and turned the ball over. In the final seconds of the encounter Folkestone again poured forward with great purpose to deny Ashford time and space, Leon Gurr exemplified Folkestone’s never say die attitude with a fabulous steal close to the Ashford line. Unfortunately the game was stalled by the dreaded scrum re-set and time was up.

This was a fabulous performance from FRFC’s Under 11’s – Ashford have been consistently one of Kent’s best performing teams playing 9-a-side rugby and to run them so close early in the season proves that the hard work in training is paying off. Less experienced players such as Jos Marnham and Jack Smith put in good shifts when called upon and Cameron Brown, playing in the ‘new position’ of full back was confident and assured throughout.

Finally, the boys stayed, formed a tunnel and cheered our 1st team onto the Ashford pitch, before watching them defeat the Ashford 1st team. Our 1st team deserved the attention, they played some wonderful rugby that the boys enjoyed watching and will learn from.

Squad: Alfie Dove, Archie Green, Benjamin Povah, Cameron Brown, Cohen Double, Dominic Bowden, Jack Smith, Jos Marnham, Joseph Faiers, Kian Supple, Kieran Dorrell, Leon Gurr, Ryan Adams, TJ Leather, Thomas Cloke, Thomas Reina, Tristan Parmenter

Thanks to Andre for the report.