By Andy Burrows

This game was a tale of two halves, the first being the one that we can talk about, and with the team changing even just before kick off with a couple of personnel not being available, and others being available.

The game kicked off and nearly from the first skirmishes in the Thanet half, Folkestone backs soon proved that it could be their day, and within 10 minutes Tanel Akilov on the right wing, went one way then another way but then he blitzed away, and got on the outside of the Thanet defence and scored near the posts, converted by Easby.

The pack soon showed their dominance in the scrums with the front five (of Lehman, Bloomfield and Korgesaar) not moving anywhere, and this led to the back row having lots of time on the ball, and with the newby Steve Hickmott gaining confidence at eight, he began to gain inroads which then led to the backs having lots of possession and time to run with ball in hand, which soon led to some penalties being given away by the opposition, and with Burrows kicking into the corners, and with the lineout winning ball thus giving the backs more ball to let loose, and from one quick maul, quick ball, and sound passing from Barnes, Burrows, Allan, Box, and Ryall went over in the corner, quality backs play, not converted by Easby.  Young Ben Goff had a sterling game at full back and a strong performance in the second half, having taken over at fly half. Also good to see Jamie Box back into the fray, assisted by Allan (thanks for turning out), both were prominent in attack and defence. 

The front five assisted by Jackson and Dempster were prominent in the defensive roles during this game, which then gave the back row of Easby, Hickmott and Green some momentum at times, to get on the front foot and attack round the fringes which even though we were on the defensive for some of this game it give us the platform to attack and this led to the penalties, which was capitalised upon and from one quick tap and go from Barnes off-loaded to Easby who bulldozed over unopposed, he made no mistake with the conversion.  Soon after more quick ball from the pack who were dominant in all areas of the game, soon released Akilov for another score out wide, unconverted.  Half Time 24 - 0.

Some changes with Baxter, Smith and Gardner coming on changed things around a bit but the second half was much of a stalemate at 0 – 0.  It went from one end to the other with a couple of mistakes just at the last minute for both sides, but dogged defence was resilient from both teams in the end.  This may not sound to the reader much of a game in the second half, but I will say that this was a good game to watch!

In the end a very strong first half performance, and a resilient and defiant performance in the second half.  Thanks to all that turned out.

Players:  Goff, Ryall, Box, Allan, Akilov, Burrows, Barnes, Hickmott, Easby, Green, Jackson, Dempster, Lehman, Bloomfield, Mart, Subs: Baxter, Gardner, Smith K.