. Even though a significant amount of rain had fallen in the days leading up to the match the very dry summer meant the 2nd pitch was still hard under foot.

A number of players took their 3rd Team bow for this game with Russell English playing his 1st game of Rugby for some 23 years out on the wing, Will Farnes playing his first Senior game for the Club at Flanker, Rob Goodban and Matt Hawkes apparently coming out of retirement to play at scrum half and centre respectively…. does the word “retire” ever truly get used in Rugby…. !!!
With 3rd Team Captain Peter White handing over the reins on the day to Jordan Thompson, The lions Team was witness to a pre-match “rallying of Troops” akin to Henry V’s speech at Agincourt.

The Lions could only field 14 men for this encounter so it was essential they made a strong start. The one man advantage Folkestone had would no doubt tell in the later stages as fatigue set in and defensive lines stretched, and a strong start was exactly what they had.
The Lions were winning the early encounters in the scrum and strong hard straight running by our centres was penetrating the Stones defence on numerous occasions. The first score to the Lions came off a scrum. With ball recycled quickly by Rob Goodban Fly Half Kirk Williamson broke through a couple of soft tackles to score. Kirk failed with the conversion- 5-0 to the Lions

The Lions put further points on the score board with another unconverted try. 10-0 to the Lions.The Lions were gaining in confidence, but this was a wake up call for Folkestone. Folkestone narrowed the lead with an interception try. 10-5 to the Lions.

The Lions opted for a 4 man lineout on the majority of occasions. Folkestone to their credit competed well and disrupted the Lions throw in on a number of occasions to limit the possession. What also started with the Lions having the supremacy in the scrum swung in favour of Folkestone.

The Lions gifted Stones with another try before the break when, after they went for touch, the ball was unfortunately tapped back into play and gathered by the oncoming Folkestone chaser to touch down. `10-10 at half time which was perhaps considered a true reflection of the balance of play.

The talk at half time was positive. It was felt the Lions were committing too many bodies to the ruck which left the defence short especially with a man down

The Lions started the second half in the same vain as the first with strong attacks from Jordan Thompson, Aaron Hammond ,Matt Hawkes and Hooker Jamie Sales taking a number of crash balls off the back of Rucks. Will Farnes was applying himself well in his first senior game, showing strength in the close encounters to wrestle the ball well, ensuring the Lions maintained their attack at ruck time. Again to Folkestone’s credit their defence stood up to the waves of attack, stopping a number of surges in their 22. Stones handling began to pay dividends and saw their fast backs move the ball well to score another two tries. 20-10 to Folkestone
Stones infringed on a number of occasions which gave the Lions much needed gains in territory with excellent place kicking by Kirk Williamson

The game became more stretched in the closing quarters with the humid conditions and the man advantage which was starting to show with the effort the Lions had to put in to cover the ground in defence
A clever cross field kick by Stones and a fortunate bounce saw Stones gather the ball and score a try. 25-10 to Folkestone.

The Lions “Never say Die Attitude” created a period of pressure in the Stones 22 and was rewarded with another try. 25-15 to Folkestone. Folkestone were next to score with an unconverted try. 30- 15. The Lions pulled back the lead with a converted try to take the score to 30-22. Folkestone had the last say of the day with a converted try. 37-22 to Folkestone
The game was well ref’d by Ray Atkinson and played in the true spirit of Rugby. Each man to their own played well and shows what it means to wear the Lions Shirt. Alan Bentley , playing with his son Banger in the Lions Front Row, defied his years.

This was an encouraging start to the Lions 3rd XV league campaign and with further players set to return to add to the core of the team the future looks bright and bodes well for the Season

Congratulations from the team go to No 8 Andy Seaman and his wife Becky on the recent birth of their daughter Genevieve Grace Seaman

Players are encouraged to train on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Night. A number of the team already train on a Wednesday so this night would be benefcial to work through set piece etc. Starting at 7.00
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Team 1. Alan Bentley, 2. Jamie Sales, 3. Banger Bentley, 4. Pete White, 5. Steve Castle, 6. Will Farnes, 7. Jordan Thompson, 8. Andy Seamen, 9. Rob Goodban., 10. Kirk Williamson, 11. Russell English, 12. Matt Hawkes, 13. Aaron Hammond, 15. Jason Clarke

Reporter Steve Castle

Note : The reporter has made every attempt to give a true reflection of the game but as you can appreciate being on the field of play spending a lot of time with his head planted firmly between two Derrieres at scrum time some account of the passages of play may be distorted….!!!!!!