After the snowy weather of the past few weeks it was good to see children from the four clubs taking the opportunity of a bright Sunday morning to show everyone that the skills learnt over the preceding weeks and months had not all been lost during the enforced layoff and a series of quality matches took place between the various ages groups. 

The Under 8s took on a Canterbury team first which turned out to be a very interesting game with Canterbury trying out an innovative move when passing the ball back to one of their team mates; or rather not a pass, just a small hand over to one of their players coming up from the side. This proved to be very effective and one which we hope we will be able to teach our lads for the future. It looked as if Dylan Barnes was trying to give it a go but as so often happens at matches at any level the rest of the team were not on the same wave length so it will have to wait for another occasion.  Next up the Stones’ Under 8s took on Sittingbourne which saw some strong running and some good team work. The last match of the morning was against another Canterbury side which again had good phases of play and saw some good tries scored by both teams. All three matches were very fast flowing, entertaining games, so much so that no one watching was really sure of what any of the final results were; so as far as Folkestone are concerned they can all be classed as high scoring score draws. Even the referees on a couple of occasions had to admit to losing count as the tries were being scored at either end with alarming regularity. The squad today were, Dylan, Freddie, William, Joshua P, Joshua Mc, James, Ciaran, Callan, Sam and Johnnie. 

The Under 11s travelled to Canterbury knowing they were taking on three teams who potentially have the ability to be classed as amongst the best in the County so they were noticeably apprehensive.   The games started with a big bang with the Stones playing all up rugby and beating host club Canterbury by 8 tries to 1.  Max Howitt started the scoring with a scorching run, weaving through the Canterbury players, slapping a try down in the corner before going to score a hat trick in the game.  The lads played a strong and physical game overwhelming Canterbury from the off.  Scrum half, Guy Carney, kept the game going forward supplying quality balls out to the wing and scored a well worked try after a fantastic off load from Charlie Stratford; Josh Palmer and Charlie Hewett taking full advantage of further quality balls from Guy to rack up the score.  Recognition should also go to the forwards, who took on a big Canterbury pack without giving an inch; the front row, Louie Santer, Mike Alchin’, and Harry Williams were like a battering ram, with Low Adamson and Alistair Sutton coming on like a second wave of Marines storming up the beach on D Day!   Cautiously but with a quiet confidence the lads moved on to the match with Tonbridge Juddians, not knowing quite what to expect.  Tonbridge gave nothing away for most of the first half, the Stones pack kept piling in to push the Juddians well back into their own half.  Every time Tonbridge tried to breakout they were closed down by Folkestone and with a minute to go before the first half ended Josh Palmer pushed through and scored a try; again the support play by Jack Savage, Luke Thorpe and Jack Lewis was superb.  With a second half advantage of playing downhill Folkestone kept the pressure on, full back Jack Hobbs kicking a series of fantastic balls to keep Tonbridge away from the try line.  With some hard played rucks and mauls the Stones kept Tonbridge at bay with Laura Peirce spoiling a strong Juddian attack up the wing, Josh Palmer finally put the hammer down with a second score to make the result at the final whistle Tonbridge Juddians 0 - Folkestone 2. With high expectations and after only a short break the lads took to the field for their final match against Sittingbourne.  Many players were tired and battered but all were desperate to carry on.  Again the match started from the off with the Stones chasing down Sittingbourne, pressing hard all the time so they could not get the ball out.  Faris Cooke, Jack Lewis and Zac Nixon closed down early attacks on the wing and the pack, bruised and battered still managed to push Sittingbourne back to their own half.  Josh Palmer put Stones on the scoreboard shortly after a valiant run by Johnny Brady was pushed out over the corner flag but, undeterred, Johnny came back and scored the second try.  Again solid work from the whole team led to some great plays, Charlie Stratford being set up beautifully by Zach and Luke Thorpe only to be stopped by a-backs-against-the wall Sittingbourne defence.  The constant pressure close to the Sittingbourne line and Jack Hobbs nailing some line pinching kicks finally paid off with Charlie Hewitt forcing his way through the Sittingbourne lines to finish the game off. Sittingbourne 0 – Folkestone 3. All the parents and coaches were extremely proud of the boys and girls of the Stones’ Under 11s who really jelled as a team this weekend and showed some great potential for the future. 

Photos of the Mighty Under 11s on their way to a Grand Slam