Folkestone under 11’s take 2 teams to the first tournament of the season in Medway
This is the first time we have entered this tournament against the best clubs in Kent and South London, and the boys performed exceedingly well.
Folkestone under 11’s at Medway
Sunday 4th October 2015 Report from Jon Morton
Sunday saw Folkestone under 11’s take 2 teams to the first tournament of the season in Medway. This is the first time we have entered this tournament against the best clubs in Kent and South London, and the boys performed exceedingly well.
Folkestone Gladiators, consisting of Maddox Francis, George Foord, Connor Horne, Bradley Dorrell, Harry Dean, Edward Faiers, Gene Farragher, Jared Hayes and Thomas Stroud were drawn in a tough group made up of Aylesford Bulls, Medway, Edenbridge and Sevenoaks.
Our opening game against Edenbridge was a tough encounter. They were capable of exploiting gaps and playing some good rugby, but the Stones dominance around the breakdown enabled us to secure good ball to attack with, and we ran out 2-1 winners to get us off to a good start. Sevenoaks came up next, and the ball handling and running skills of the Folkestone side proved too much for the opposition as they ran out comfortable 7-0 winners.
Medway and Aylesford proved similar to each other in their ability, size and strength, but again Folkestone’s dominance at the ruck and maul starved their opposition of possession, and their line speed in defence forced a number of handling errors. Folkestone won both of these games 3-0.
4 wins from 4 saw Folkestone in the final of the cup, against a very strong Canterbury side. Folkestone have played Canterbury a number of times before, and they appear to be somewhat of a bogey side. Sunday was no different as Canterbury won the game and the tournament. The boys were a credit to themselves, their parents and coaches, Folkestone rugby club and the game as a whole.
Folkestone RFC U11 Goblins had 2 firsts on Sunday. 1st it was the first tournament of the 2015-2016 season, and the first time for our players to play in the Medway festival. The weather was a glorious sunny day ominous for the day.
The results were:
Folkestone Goblins won 4 -0 vs Dartford.
Folkestone Goblins lost 0-1 vs Blackheath
Folkestone Goblins won 4-0 vs Aylesford
Folkestone Goblins won 4-2 vs Maidstone
There were outstanding performances from the following players:
Ryen Morton scored 2 tries and was menacing to all the opposition play in every phase. Ryen displayed great leadership and skill to guide the team to 3 wins and 1 loss, even though we were under strength with 5 players lost to illness, injuries etc…we would have gone onto the finals.
Louis Douse with his blistering tackling and attacks , side stepped his way through the teams to score 2 tries.
Boyd Marnham was the star in the rucking and mauling for the team, ferociously tackling any ball carrying person was rewarded with 2 tries to his name.
Sebastien Douse played for the first time as hooker, did a sterling job , was his usual menacing self-rushing up as soon as the ball broke out , to shut down play by the opposition was rewarded by an excellent support try.
Luke Baigent really put the pressure on the opposition with his high and long drop kicks which caused panic in the opposition. Without Luke’s valuable boot I am sure the day would have been a lot harder. He was rewarded by a long solo try.
Felix Pavitt on the wing did a great job in cover tackles was rewarded by a try too
The following 3 new players, with their first tournament:
Kieran Niewoudt scored his 1st try for Folkestone was solid in his defence and was like wise causing chaos in rushing up when the opposition go the ball.
Charlie Francis was in his element using his size to blast through the opposition to score 2 tries and stopped many of the opposition big rolling mauls in their tracks.
Tommy Virgo has now got the spirit of the game, he made many solid tackles, and has found his position in the scrum as a prop. Watch this space we will see more of him.