Folkestone U16’s 33 Dartfordians U16’s 20

Sunday 6th November 2016 U16’s Kent Cup Preliminary round Report from Andy Parmenter

On a crisp clear morning Folkestone welcomed Dartfordians U16’s in the top of the table clash in the Kent Cup Preliminary rounds. Last season at under 15 age group Dartfordians had beaten Folkestone so the home side knew they were in for a tough game.

From the kick off the young Stones put Dartford under pressure with good “in your face” defence. Tackles were made and Dartfordians struggled to get out of their half. The pressure told and Louis Watson was released to cross for a try. No conversion. 5-0. Following the kick off Folkestone took the ball back and again kept Dartfordians in their half. Dartford’s game was built on a large pack and they kept picking and driving, and although kept hold of the ball, didn’t gain ground. When Folkestone turned over the ball they looked more threatening and released skipper Mark Ip-Lloyd to score on the right. No conversion. 10-0.

The match continued in the same way with Dartford trying to keep the ball tight, but gaining little ground, and Folkestone threatening when they had the ball. Dartford’s counter rucking was good throughout the game which allowed them to prevent more scores by Folkestone. After continued pressure, and the concession of several penalties Folkestone had pinned Dartford back on their line following a powerful run by Luke Down. Another penalty to Folkestone and Tom Clarke took a quick one and crossed for the third try. 15-0.

From the restart, Tom Clarke caught the ball and charged forward, but held on to concede a penalty. Dartfordians kicked for the corner and from the resulting line out and their first visit to Folkestone’s half, mauled the ball over the line for their first try. No conversion. 15-5. Folkestone chased their kick well and again kept Darfordians pinned back. Following a Folkestone scrum, Tom Clarke broke from number 8, fed scrum half Seb Minus who grubbered the ball forward and Sam Perez collected to cross for a well worked try, Sam’s first for the club, and a bonus point. 20-5. No conversion.

At half time it was 20 -5 in Folkestone’s favour.

At the beginning of the second half Folkestone had their customary doze and after turning over the kick off following sloppy passing, and then missing tackles allowed Dartfordians to score an easy try. 20-10. They then upped their game and sensed Folkestone’s snoozing and started to threaten the home sides line. Only strong tackling, in particular by Jacob Rencen and Nat Parmenter, kept Stone’s line intact. When Folkestone got control of the ball they forced a penalty, kicked by Louis Watson. 23-10. Dartfordians came back as the game started to fracture with tiredness and injuries breaking up formations. From a Dartfordians scrum in Folkestone’s 22 their number 8 went over for an unconverted try. 23-15.

Much of the next few phases were played in the middle of the pitch as neither side could make a decisive move. Again Dartfordians conceded a kickable penalty for Louis Watson to convert. 26-15. However lack of ball control from the kick off allowed Dartfordians to gather the ball and score their fourth unconverted try. 26-20.

With the score at 26 – 20 and Dartfordians in the ascendancy, the fears were that Folkestone would contrive to lose the game they should have had sewn up. This would have happened last season, but not this. Good pressure in both defence and attack took Folkestone to winning a scrum in Dartfordians 22. From the scrum, replacement scrum half, Simon Goodden, fed Louis Watson who scored and converted his second try in the last play of the match. Final Score 33-20.

Both sides played well, and for Folkestone’s coaches it was pleasing to see the drills worked in training being used and that they now have confidence in their own abilities.

Photo of U16's Forwards with the new scrum machine.

Team: 1,Will Guy, 2, Kioyshi Lee-Thomas, 3, Zi Hines; 4, Brendan Atkinson, 5, Joseph Himbury; 6, Luke Down, 7, Nat Parmenter, 8, Tom Clarke; 9, Seb Minus, 10, Mark Ip-Lloyd; 11, Louis Watson, 12, Tommy Bartholomew, 13, Michael Candido, 14, Sam Perez; 15, Jacob Rencen.
Subs: Simon Goodden, Josh Graham.
Scorers: Louis Watson 5, 3, 3, 5, 2; Mark Ip-Lloyd 5; Tom Clarke 5; Sam Perez 5.

Folkestone Rugby Club

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