By Andy Dagger

Folkestone's U 18's signed off as a group in style by winning the Kent 7's for the third time in four years when they beat Sevenoaks in the final. Since they were U 13's they have a remarkable record of only losing three sevens games and always reaching or surpassing the semifinal stage of the competitiins they have entered.Folkestone U 18's started the competition with a. low key performance against a Westcombe Park side who were physical but not skillful. Matt Brett gifted the opposition the first score when he threw a speculative pass which was easily intercepted to give them a 7-0 lead.Folkestone soon got on the scoreboard when they took a quick penalty and put Wil Alkin away for a score to make it 5-7 at halftime.In the second half Matt Brett made up for his earlier mistake and made a clean break down the blindside to put in Wil Alkin in for his second to give a final score of 12-7.In the next game normal service was resumed and tries by Alkin,Atkins(2)Cox and Dagger gave a comfortable 25-0 win.With Maidstone beating Westcombe Park the final game would determine the winners of the Group.The game proved to be no contest and Folkestone stepped up a gear with Tom Marsh making his presence felt setting up the first with an offload to Wil Alkin who put Atkins in for a try which was duly converted.Matt Brett then used his pace to run in from the halfway line and a comfortable 14-0 lead.A further try by Wil Alkin made it 19-0 at halftime.With Folkestone ringing the changes momentum was maintained and two tries by the ever present Scott Lee gave the Folkestone lads a great 29-0 win and a semifinal against their old rivals Cranbrook who were winners of the tournament last year.After a tense and even first few minutes Cranbrook opened the scoring and took a 7-0 lead but Folkestone fought back well and with halftime aprroaching Dagger took on the Cranbrook defence and with a brilliant off load put Will Alkin away to make the score 7-7 at halftime. In the second half both sides had chances to break clear but quick hands put Lewis Atkins away but a great cover tackle pulled him down just short of the line but a good offload enabled Wil Alkin to fall over the line for what proved to be the decisive winning score.Cranbrook were given one last chance when a poor kick off gave them posession but great defence by the Folkestone lads saw them home and a third final appearance in four years which is a great credit to a group of lads who have worn the Club badge with pride and honnour. Their opponents in the final were Sevenoaks and they proved to be worthy opposition.Folkestone once again got off to a poor start when Sevenoaks scored the opening try to take an early 5-0 lead.Folkestone then dominated the reminder of the half.Tom Marsh set up the first score when he chased a kick ahead won the ball at the breakdown to put Wil Alkin away to make it 7-5. Next the ever dependable Scott Lee showed his pace when he outsteipped the Sevenoaks defence to cross the line and a 12-5 score.Then just before halftime quick movement of the ball gave Jack Cox the space to run in a score and a healthy 19-5 leas at haftime.Sevenoaks came out after the break determined to give it a go and scored the try of the match when a cross kick went straight to their winger to score under the posts ,d close the gap to one score.Wil Alkin then broke through the defence and extend the lead to 24-12.Sevenoals refused to lie down and hit back with another well worked try and closed the gap to one score and a tense final period of the game.Folkestone sealed victory when Matt Brett used his pace to exploit the blindiside and race in from 30 metres out for the celebrations to commence.This was a well contested/competive final played in an excellent spirit and compliments must also go to the match officials for their contribution, the host Club Sheppey for great organisation and hospitality and the game of rugby was the overall winner on the day.