U11’s at the East Kent Tournament at Sheppey

Folkestone U11’s at the East Kent Tournament at Sheppey.
Sunday 19th October 2014. Report by Adam Bloomfield

After a disappointing show in the Canterbury Festival two weeks ago, the under 11s were keen to set the record straight. The players have been working hard with the coaches on the training paddock in order to improve the quality of set piece and patterns of play.

The first match was played against the hosts Sheppey. Folkestone stated strongly as they did in the previous tournament. However, on this occasion they were determined not to take their collective foot off the pedal in the second half. To their credit they did just this; the attacked with flair, and defended with grit in order to shut Sheppey out of the game. Folkestone ran out 3-0 winners in a strong display.
Spirits were up and Folkestone next faced a Sittingbourne team that was a player short. In the spirit of Rugby Folkestone dropped to 11 players to ensure a fair contest. This worked out to be Folkestone’s undoing. They went into the match thinking that this would be an easy game. All those involved in sport know that there is no such thing as an easy game! Now the under 11s know! Folkestone failed to use their immense strength in the scrums, fell off tackles and failed to support each other during the majority of the game. However, because they were more resolute this week, they managed to draw the game 2-2. Harry Crashed over from a penalty in his usual unstoppable rampaging manner. It was also great to see Declan nip through the opposition pack to swallow dive in an Ashtonesque manner to score his first try for the club.

The lads had learned a valuable lesson and took on a Whitstable side who are renowned for their lines of running and exceptional passing ability. The strong Folkestone pack once again proved to be pivotal with Man Mountains Jenson and Harry providing the go forward with the smaller, more nimble Jacob hooking. The front row was backed up skilfully by Toby and Jack in the second row. It was commented that this is the biggest and strongest pack seen at this age group. Add this to the always improving back line of Benito, Will, Olli, Dan, Harvey, Oliver, Reece and Elliott who are running some great lines and offloading very well. Folkestone proved too powerful and too skilful for the opposition and ran out 3-2 winners. This was a first for this team who have shown so much promise but have just fallen short of executing the game plan correctly.

Next up was the last pool game against Ashford. In the previous tournament Ashford took Folkestone apart. Since then the lads have worked hard on tackling and support play. It was clear to see that Folkestone were in a different frame of mind compared to the previous meeting. The lads tackled well and supported each other. Ashford finally ran out 2-0 winners but Folkestone game them a good hard game and showed all that they are a team which show great promise.

Folkestone were in the semi-final for the first time in quite some time. It had been a long morning of games and waiting for games. It is hard to play tournament rugby, having to get yourself up for a game and then switch off while waiting for the next and then having to go again. Today proved one step too far for a good Folkestone team. They lads appeared to be physically and mentally tired by this point. Canterbury are a strong team who are well drilled. They ran out 4-1 winners with Dan crashing over for Folkestone for the last try of the game.

Overall Folkestone achieved 3rd place. It was a very encouraging day in many ways. They lads are appreciating that a game plan is just that and that sticking to it will ensure that all player s know what it expected of them. The quality and ferocity of tackling was much improved as was the support play. The most pleasing part of the day was seeing the boys smile when they began to fulfil their potential. This will give the team the lift that they deserve and will hopefully spur them on to greater achievements.
Team: Jenson Bloomfield, Toby Emery, Harry Cordell, Jacob Bennett, Jak Hines, Sam Phelps, Benito Decicco, Will Luff, Oli Parrish, Elliott Maynard, Dan Tidd, Declan Powell, George Uden, Reece Vassallo, Harvey Gamgee, Oliver Bugden.