Tonbridge Juddians 27 Folkestone 23
Report from Geoff Pettitt
This was TJ’s first match in the EDF Vase and it should have been a good deal easier than it turned out to be. Folkestone were eventually relegated last year into League 4 South-East after struggling in League 3 for a couple of seasons. But the ambitious plans at Folkestone RFC have clearly rubbed off onto the players and they were in no mood to capitulate to somewhat of a scratch TJ XV.
The match started, and continued, at a frenzied pace with plenty of energy and commitment and many an error. If anything it was Folkestone who settled the better and after frantic end-to-end play it was their wing forward who, after some six minutes of the match, was the recipient of the pass which allowed him the space to score a try in the corner.
Ten minutes later TJ’s wing forward Phillips was yellow-carded for a late tackle and Folkestone’s full back duly converted the ensuing penalty to put the visitors eight points to nil to the good. Almost immediately two penalties for offside were awarded to TJs. The first was missed so it was with some relief that Buckley converted the second, closer kick at goal to open the home side’s account. But Folkestone soon restored their eight point advantage with a further penalty.
Then came a slice of good fortune for TJs. Folkestone had seemed the more adventurous and threatening in the backs with ball in hand but on this occasion the pass was dropped in the centre. TJ’s wing Burgess was onto the mistake like a shot. He put boot to ball and raced through onto a favourably bouncing ball to touch down. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
TJs were still in arrears and they were to fall further behind when Folkestone, after mounting a series of powerful forward drives, created the gap to put their left wing over in his corner. This try was not converted and the first half concluded with TJs on the attack and scoring one further penalty but failing with another attempt. The score at half-time was TJs 11 Folkestone 16.
Something had to be done if TJs were to succeed and they began the second period with determination and intent. But their efforts too often came to nought when the pass went awry or they lost the ball in the tackle. They were, however, rewarded for their efforts when Buckley converted a penalty some five minutes into the half enabling them to close the gap to 14 points to 16. They finally went into the lead at 17 – 16 after 15 minutes with a further penalty from Buckley which resulted from an offside offence for which Folkestone’s hooker was given ten minutes in the sin bin.
A further Buckley penalty stretched TJ’s lead when scrum-half Piaseczny was obstructed after a fine, fast break from the base of the scrum and a chip ahead.
TJs were now experiencing their best period and although a penalty attempt went astray they produced out of some broken play some fine running rugby with quick passing and backing up all of which allowed centre Ventin to cross for a fine try. Buckley converted and extended TJ’s lead to a fairly comfortable 27 – 16.
Folkestone had appeared to be losing momentum and they continued to give away penalties and the territory they had gained. It was the visitors, however, who had the last word. TJs were down to fourteen men when scrum-half Piaseczny was sin-binned for persistently not retreating ten metres after an offence and Folkestone camped on TJ’s line and eventually crossed for a try which was converted.
TJs finished the match which had been littered with penalties with some disciplined forward drives but there were no further scores so that when the final whistle sounded they had won by 27 points to 23.
TJs are in the throes of re-building and there were a number of new faces on show. Their energy and enthusiasm were often not quite matched by their skills and decision making and sometimes, with many an opportunity going begging, it looked as though they were doing their best not to win. They will undoubtedly grow wiser and more controlled and win their matches in a rather more convincing fashion.
Folkestone’s young players gave a very good account of themselves and can surely look forward to success in future seasons.
Tonbridge Juddians Squad: Mitchell, Pemble, Burgess, Murphy, Ventin, Davis, Cocks, Buckley, Piaseczny, Stevenson, Stoor, Higgins, Allen, Carroll, Howell, Bartlett, Wagstaff, Phillips.
Next Saturday, prior to England’s appearance in the World Cup Final, TJs entertain a struggling Old Mid-Whitgiftian side at The Slade in their league encounter. Kick-off is at 3.00 pm and TJs will, no doubt, be hoping to continue their recent short winning streak and record a second league success of the season.
