FOLKESTONE 34 pts MAIDSTONE 22 pts

On an overcast afternoon Folkestone entertained Maidstone in an intensive game with both sides intent on playing flowing rugby. Stones started the brighter than their opposition moving the ball well making inroads into Maidstone’s defence, but play was disrupted in the 8th minute when Cairo Ellis had to leave the field to be replaced by Greg Wood. Maidstone regathered and attacked Stones forcing them to defend their try line. Stones forced a turnover to clear the ball down field, Maidstone attacked with strong surging running forcing Stones to defend, Maidstone again conceded a penalty allowing Stones to attack their defence which culminated in Ollie Jordon-Smith to burst through Maidstone’s defence and release Charlie Watson to score a try in the 20th minute which was converted by Jordon-Smith giving Stones a 7-0 lead.
Immediately after the kick off Maidstone pressed Stones try line forcing a penalty in the 25th minute which they converted leaving Stones with a narrow 4-point lead. One minute later Maidstone attacked from deep in their own half and with good interplay they cut through Stones defence to score a converted try to give them a 3-point lead.
The game then descended into a cat and mouse situation with both sides playing attacking rugby, but Stones gained the upper hand and with spreading the ball wide they put Seyhan Fell away to sprint home for a try in the 36th minute giving Stones a two-point lead. After the kick off Stones regained possession allowing Alex Price to make a good break through Maidstone’s defence, the ball was quickly recycled allowing Callum Palmieri to chip the ball to the far touchline allowing Harry Dean in the 39th minute to collect the ball and wriggle his way over for a try, which was converted by Ollie Jordon Smith to leave the score at half time 19-10 in Stones favour.
The second half started in the same vein as the first with both sides playing attacking rugby, Maidstone attacked through good offloading between their forwards and backs resulting in an unconverted try in the 54th minute leaving a 4 point deficit. In the 62nd minute of play Stones conceded a try through a looped pass that was intercepted allowing Maidstone to score a converted try giving them a 3-pointlead. Stones gathered their composure and attacked Maidstone with vigour, breaking tackles which allowed Seyhan Fell to score in the corner which Ollie Jordon Smith converted giving Stones a slender 26-22 lead.
The game continued to ebb and flow both sides attacking each other with strong running but in the 77th minute Maidstone concede a penalty which Ollie Jordon Smith slotted over giving Stones a 29-22 lead. Stones continued to attack Maidstone’s defence forcing several errors which eventually allowed Jordon Godden to score a try in the last two minutes of the game, giving Stones a 34-22 bonus point victory.

Click here for Match Photos taken by Lisa Godden

Click here for Match Photos taken by Mark Tolputt

Team: Tom Snare James Cousens Harry Illman James Stewart John Morton Jordon Godden Owen Chapman Alex Price Callum Palmeri (c) Ollie Jordon- Smith Harry Dean Louis Watson Cairo Ellis Charlie Watson Seyhan Fell Subs Greg Wood Adam Tolman Mason Colchester-Long