New Season, Promising Start

Folkestone III 34     Cinque Ports Rugby I 0 (HT 3-0)

In glorious sunshine Cinque Ports made their first start of the new season with a friendly away to Kent opposition. The game started positively enough with both sides looking to run the ball, probing the defence. For Cinque Ports both Tony Potter and Luke Price used their pace to dance away from defenders, but the gaps could not be found in a tough defence. Folkestone were also frustrated the Cinque Ports line held firm and the Folkestone outside half had to resort to chips over the defence, ably managed by Potter and Dangerfield on the wings. Cinque Ports could not take control of possession as they struggled to win scrum and line out ball, novice hooker Darren Watts had a real baptism of fire as the Kent side took control of the set piece. When they did win possession Ports looked bright with captain Paul Smart and Shane Potter controlling the backs and tackling bravely. The only score of the first half was a Folkestone penalty for Cinque Ports holding onto the ball on the ground. Cinque Ports started the second half optimistically until Folkestone broke through to score as a result of some poor tackling. This seemed destroy the St Leonards side brittle confidence and Folkestone regularly run in tries, an injury to the pacy Dangerfield also meant Cinque Ports were further disadvantaged. And fitness told as the Folkestone side exchanged players, this did not excuse a sluggish performance by the forwards there were some bright spots though. Dale Whittington stole his customary ball on the floor and Rob Triton making his first appearance in nearly three years was a real presence, in ruck and maul.

Team manager Gavin Thomas was honest in his appraisal "Our fitness, and failure at the set piece hurt us- but we held a very good side for 40 minutes and the performance of Smart and Shane Potter was very positive. Pre-Season is about ironing out problems"