Deacons vs Folkestone 2’s – can they kick it? No they can’t!

Loss aside, a combined points score of over 100 points in 80 minutes is testament to the Deacons resolve.

We’d been looking to put out a strong squad and win this fixture since the away debacle. With all 5 Men’s senior teams playing a number of our regular players were called up to the Canons while a couple dropped to the 5’s. Nevertheless, we still had a strong team and a couple of subs.

The was out and it was a great day for rugby – the atmosphere around the club was great as we shared the MTG with the first team as they played Esher. We opted for the top pitch as we thought the 1st team would prefer the attention of the crowd, despite the ground being harder than Ross Kemp wearing a vest drinking a can of Stella.

Folkestone had a full contingent travelling. A young and well organised team with a few rapid players dotted around the park. We had a blend of UKC players, regular Deacons, CCCU players & a couple of others we’d lured out of Greggs with a sausage bean and cheese melt.  On paper the team was fierce. If we ever had a rehearsal it might be unstoppable……

The first half started with us recovering the kick off. It was clear ‘the Stone’ had pace and that we were still yet to find the footing where we could comfortably get some go forward in attack. If I could count to 15 it might’ve helped as we started with only 14 on the pitch before someone pointed out we were short 🤦

Our own set piece was looking good, Matt Burchell had a fantastic game at hooker & his darts from the sideline were on point.

Ethan Mussell repeated his superb appearance from last week and was even better in the air at line out time – serving our very own little French bulldog Freddie at 9 with quality ball.

Defence was a different story however & Folkestone used their well prepared line out moves to great effect playing as much for penalties as possession.

So. Anyone who reads these will know the story by now. The first half started, there were some gaps in defence and the oppo started fast.

We went down a couple of tries quite quickly, which absolutely wasn’t the game plan. Folkestone seemed to be returning the ball towards us as such speed after a restart we couldn’t catch our breath and were stunned.

After 15 minutes we’d barely touched the ball and had nothing on the scoreboard to answer the visitors 12 points.

It was time to dig in. To try and retain the ball a bit & play our way. We had a fantastic team, Dan Head was back at 10. The back line comprised of Jake Upward and Aidan Demery in the centres and strong presence on the wing in Joseph Butler-Moor & Josh Pinnock and with Jake Vovell at full back our try line was well defended and counter attacks from deep were guaranteed.

We started to warm up. And in a move that lifted our spirits Canterbury stalwart Jake Upward went over the line allowing Dan to convert. At 7-12 the scoreline looked healthier.

We would have to dig in, but didn’t as quick as we might’ve liked. With Folkestone crossing the line once more, but missing the con. When the visitors struck again immediately after the restart the ref spotted (what I can only assume was accidental) some unsportsmanlike conduct and Josh P was off to the bin for 10 minutes.

The rest of the first half would be like running uphill in water wearing lead wellies. It was hot and hard we were a man down in defence; Folkestone were looking for a cricket score and a couple of them were being real dicks about it.

Fortunately though, once again the pack were the visitors nemesis. The phrase ‘scrum please sir’ was as welcome to Folkestone as a Monday morning alarm clock. Brad Nicholson was turning his opponent on the tighthead into a human squeezebox, and the loose side was going just as well.

The formidable second row pairing of James Newman and Alasdair Kite providing the drive as time after time the City boys dominated the scrum and defensively Carter Jeffereys & Ted Field were dynamite hitting the 9 & 10 to slow the attackers progress.

Despite this and while battling to get back in the game we lost Jake to injury before half time. And Folkestone scored once more.

The score going into the break was something like 7 – 36.

Half time Haribo saw heads down. We were back to 15, but the bench was now empty going into the 2nd half and some words of wisdom were required. Sadly it was me, so I waffled a bit and handed around the star mix.

Act 2 began. We kicked off. They scored.

So we had another go. This time, we settled and we started to work our way up the pitch. As we began to work through phases and move the ball around.

Freddie Vion had the best game he’s had in a couple of seasons hitting breakdowns and pulling balls left and right working with his fly half.

Within 15 minutes of the second half starting tries from Ted field, Josh Pinnock & Joseph Butler-Moor safely converted by Dan meant the scoreboard was looking closer.

Folkestone struck back to keep their tally ticking over, exploiting every mistake we (even me) made, with a couple of easy tries to keep them just out of reach. But with some of the away supporters on the sidelines uttering ‘we may not win this’ the visiting side had to resort to some ‘gamesmanship’ declaring they had lost all bar 2 of their front row and scrums would now be uncontested.

Ted Field struck once more to bring the score within 2 tries only for the Stone to get one back and towards the end of the game both teams were suffering from injuries dropping numbers to 14. With 90 seconds remaining and an uncontested scrum with Folkestone’s put in, their backline put the ball in the air only to find Jake Vovell who had been threatening for 80 minutes. He skipped through a number of tackles and crossed the try line (Ted said we wouldn’t score again) dropping the conversion through the posts to bring us to 40 points vs the visitors at 63. What a comeback!

Quite the game, if they could kick more than 1 or 2 conversions it would’ve been hideous.

Huge shout out to the ref who was refereeing his first senior game and had a great game.

1 more to go. Gravesend 3’s 25th April at home. Earlier kick off at 1pm most likely.  See you there.

Tries :

Jake Upward

Joseph Butler- Moor

Ted Field x 2

Josh Pinnick

Jake Vovell

Cons:

Dan Head x 4

Jake Vovell

MOTM – Ted Field

Thoughts are with Jake Upward now out for the foreseeable.

And huge thanks to Si Crossley for being our super sub covering various positions across the back field as he was needed.