By Simon Himbury

Gravesend brought a large squad of players to face the Folkestone Vets on a bright Saturday afternoon. Throwing back the duvet early to ensure good seats for the England vs Wales game, the first 20 minutes was a tight affair with the Folkestone forwards edging their opponents in ball-winning and retention. Some good work in midfield between Easby, Spicer and Himbury provided a scrum in the opposition 22 and with another successful scrum and maul, Danny ‘Hellboy’ Barnes dummied one player before powering his way over to the first score.
 
Easby, enjoying himself at outside half, narrowly missed the conversion and Folkestone were on top 5-0. Folkestone forwards caught the restart and forged ahead once more. Some good defence on both sides and consistently good work from the Stones back row ensured that Folkestone continued to make ground. Gravesend attacks were stymied early and Folkestone pushed towards the Gravesend end once more with some penetrating back play. Defending desperately, one Gravesend centre dived over and handled the ball in a ruck, earning himself a yellow card, and Easby slotted over the resulting penalty to make it 8-0. With a short time to go, Gravesend made some good forays into Folkestone territory but the home team were resolute in defence until the end of the half.
 
The second half followed with more Stones pressure and some forceful runs from Barnes, Easby and Jeffreys. This persistent pressure told and Easby converted another penalty making it 11-0. With some solid tackling in defence and some good counter attacking, Folkestone again pushed towards the opposition 22. Good scrummaging, seen throughout the game, allowed Easby, now at No.8 instead of 10, to go in unopposed and converted to make it 18-0. To Gravesend’s credit, they never let their heads go down and their fresh ‘young’ centre shimmied past a few tired legs to score under the posts ensuring a successful conversion.
 
Played in good spirit, and with just the one yellow card, the game finished 18-7 with Folkestone deserved winners and Gravesend down but not buried. With some great performances all round, Bovis in the line out, Easby at 8 and 10 and Price in the back row should be singled out for praise with the latter winning the crystal vase. However, thoughts should be with our sad eyed puppy, White, who went off injured but certain to return.
 
Folkestone:
 

Lord
Grace
Lama
Nicholls
Burrows
Spicer
Easby
Barnes
Silvey
Howland
Price
Bovis
James
Short
Bloomfield
White
Jefferys
Himbury