By Mark Foster

EAST KENT CUP FINAL
"A game of two halves"

I'm drinking alcohol whilst writing this report and as I don't really drink I apologise in advance for the following stream of consciousness. It might be coherent, it might not.

The weather in Ashford this morning was gloriously sunny and warm much like it was back in September when we started the season against Canterbury, winning that game by the narrowest of margins. Not something I was keen to repeat. The showers that had been forecast on Thursday were nowhere to be seen which was good news for the large crowd of supporters but probably not such good news for the players who would have to deal with a very hard pitch. Folkestone came with a full squad of players plus most of the U16 team who had travelled up the motorway to show their support which was a welcome gesture proving that the Folkestone team spirit extends well beyond the players on the pitch. Canterbury came with a much smaller squad as a few of their players fell victim to Volcano Eyjafjallajokull and were still stranded abroad which led to last minute phone calls and emails between the clubs in an effort to postpone the game yet again I expect although given that we are at the very end of the season I imagine Canterbury would have had to forfeit the cup this time which wouldn't have been a good outcome for anyone although it might have helped my blood pressure especially during the first half.

The talk before the kick off was that the players were nervous and even a few of the parents admitted to having less sleep than normal so there was plenty of tension in the air but It would turn into something positive once the game got underway and sure enough Folkestone started well, winning plenty of ball and creating opportunities especially out wide where there was plenty of space and overlaps to be had. Unfortunately we were unable to find the final pass to make the most of those opportunities and a couple of handling errors also held us back although I sensed we would come good at some point although I didn't expect the opportunity to come from a dazzling run by winger Joe Johnson who took on the Canterbury backs and outran them to score. The ball found its way to JJ a few times in the first half and when he had to be substituted I thought it was a smart decision by the coaches to switch the speedy Elliot Jones from the opposite wing especially as it paid off with an excellent try late in the half after Canterbury had scored twice to take a 14-7 lead by making the most of their chances, proving they were dangerous in space and a force to be reckoned with up front. Although Folkestone had the majority of possession and had missed two or three clear opportunities to score, when the half-time whistle blew I felt the game was still too close to call either way.

And then something magical happened, Folkestone took complete control of the game and I can't stop smiling when I think about it even now. The pack won ball and the backs passed along the line and the space was still there only this time we took full advantage of it. Replacement winger Jack Dodson got the scoring underway out running his opposite number and touching down under the posts. Then Ryan Farrow made the most of some excellent field position to barge his way over from five metres out after some powerful rucking close to the Canterbury goal line. Centre Jacob Cooke then gave the team some breathing space, kicking a loose ball past two defenders before accelerating away from them to score the team's fifth try of the match. James Mead's conversion gave us a 33-14 lead and the game was effectively won as Canterbury with heads down and hands on hips simply had nothing left in the tank. Match fitness was critical today and in that regard there was only one team in it. I think Folkestone have played close to 20 games this season whereas Canterbury, judging from their fixture list, have played around half that.

Substitutions were made at this point but the team did not miss a beat which again is testament to the depth of talent in the squad and David Jarvis in particular was unlucky not to start judging by his disruptive performance in the line-out and powerful runs in the last 20 minutes that sapped even more energy from the opposition. With the pack in complete control Folkestone were able to create more scoring opportunities which they took with ruthless efficiency. And I applaud them for that because in the past we might have relaxed and let them back into the game but not today. Long runs by Farrow and Cooke gave the crowd even more to cheer about and Jones' second try, which was made by Pearson who lured two Canterbury defenders before a perfect off-load gave him a clear path to the posts, sent the supporters into delirious rapture on the sideline. Frasier Hendy's powerful dash in the final minutes closed the scoring to put the stamp on a thrilling victory.

Folkestone are East Kent Champions. The Champions of East Kent. Sounds good however you say it. I hope you are able to appreciate what you have achieved this year and the manner in which you dismantled Canterbury especially in the second half typified the hard work and commitment all of you have shown in the last eight months. You are an exemplary group of young men. There was no man of the match today as you all deserve that honour.

In fairness to Canterbury they were gracious in defeat so let's hope the talk of a letter to the RFU about Tom Snare being cup-tied is just a case of sour grapes and will go no further. Whatever the outcome, Canterbury were beaten fairly and squarely and they can't take that away from you.

I have enjoyed writing the match reports this season, it has been a pleasure to watch you guys evolve as a team and today was simply the icing on the cake as they say but I couldn't have done any of it without the help of my youngest daughter Lucy who has kept score religiously for me and now knows each and every one of you by sight so that I don't have to tell her who scored very often. Thanks Lucy you've been brilliant.

This one is for Coach Howland. Well done Keith, they did you proud