For their second league match of the season Folkestone Ladies welcomed Essex team Stanford-le-Hope Ladies to the New Burlington Field. University commitments and a few minor knocks meant the home team were down to a squad of just twelve, one of whom was delayed in traffic so the match started eleven a side.

With a knock on from the kick off Stones had an attacking scrum close to the visitors 22 but were unable to hold the power of the Stanford Ladies who turned over the ball in the first of several scrums they took against the head. Good handling through the visitor's backs got the ball out wide and the first try was run in down the wing after about five minutes; unconverted. A second, converted try came soon after to give the visitors a 12 – 0 lead. The home team began to get their running lines sorted and put several phases of play together, forwards taking the ball on and releasing the backs to put in Hayley Morgan for the first of her two tries of the day. With a good conversion of her own try the scores were back to 7-12.

For the rest of the first half it was Stanford who were the more dominant team; especially through the forwards who were gaining good ground and setting up their backs too easily. The visitors ran in a further two tries and one conversion before Stones responded with their second try, another newcomer in Nikki Mathews fighting her way to the line to touch down despite the best efforts of the Stanford defence in trying to hold up the ball. This try was well worked for and shows that Nikki will become an asset to the team with her strong running and good off loads. Half time and the score line of 22-12 to the visitors was a fair reflection of their dominance in the scrum and the breaking of the gain line with their forwards.

An injury to a Folkestone prop resulted in the scrums going uncontested for the second half, giving Folkestone a bit more possession. Stanford still managed to run in six second half tries, three converted by the Stanford prop who proved very reliable with the kicks within her range and she also put in some excellent restart kicks. However, it didn't all go the visitors' way as Stones scored two tries of their own – one by new girl Denise Blume who picked up a loose ball inside her own half and outpaced the chasing defenders to score a great solo try under the posts, converted by Hayley Morgan.

With a few more home players picking up injuries the game was stopped a few minutes early with the visitors running out convincing winners 58 points to 24. Despite the losing score Folkestone Ladies played good rugby at times but were beaten by a team who have benefited by playing together longer and were physically stronger.

Another learning curve for the fledgling Folkestone team but, despite the score, certainly not a rout. Stone's girls played with excellent passion and will gradually improve, especially with a few more players joining the squad. Any Ladies aged eighteen and over who are interested in playing rugby locally should come along to the club on a Thursday evening at 7pm, or ring the club on 01303 266887

Folkestone Ladies:- Hayley Morgan; Denise Blume; Nikki Mathews; Ellie Scott; Hannah O’Donnell; Julie Bloomfield; Megan West; Shelly Etherton; Roberta Nardi; Jo Loome; Caroline Hurley; Katie Martin

Scorers:- Hayley Morgan – 2 tries; 2 conversions;
Denise Blume - 1 try
Nikki Mathews – 1 try

Folkestone Rugby Club

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