Foots Cray starved Whitstable of possession throughout, and despite a valiant defence for 60 minutes, Whitstable could not threaten the home team’s try line.

An ineffective scrum, handling inaccuracies, and chaotic decision making all contributed to Whitstable’s most disappointing performance, and result, of the season. Whitstable went into the game as league leaders for the first time since October, however, their time at the summit came to a swift end as Foots Cray put the coastal outfit to the sword.

The first half was a dismal affair from both sides as they went into the break with Foots Cray leading 7-3.

From the first whistle Foots Cray got on the front foot, carrying hard, but unable to make a line break of any sort. 15 minutes in Whitstable’s defence had been well and truly tested as they resisted an error-strewn, one-dimensional, but relentless Foots Cray onslaught. Whilst regular turnovers showed a reprieve, this was quickly undone by indiscipline which handed possession back to the home side, who on the 20 minute mark eventually crossed for the opening score.
Minutes later, Whitstable were given a chance to break. Foots Cray were penalised for a high tackle, a recurring issue for both teams throughout, which allowed Whitstable to attack quickly. A quick tap penalty eventually found its way to Cairney who found some space down the left; as the centre was hunted down he gave a pass to Reid which the Foots Cray inside centre slapped down, for which he was shown a yellow card. The resulting penalty kick missed touch and Foots Cray were able to clear their lines.

Whitstable were unable to capitalise on their man advantage as the 10 minute period remained scoreless.

On the stroke of halftime, Andrew Huey slotted a simple penalty kick to give the visitors their first points of the day.

A harsh halftime talking to and some personnel changes saw Whitstable start the brighter of the two teams as substitute Eanna Flannagan crossed inside ten minutes to take Whitstable 1 point ahead.

Good work from the Whitstable pack and indiscipline from Foots Cray around the breakdowns earned Whitstable a penalty which would take them within ten metres of the Foots Cray try line. Whitstable secured the resulting lineout and several phases later Flannagan burrowed over in the corner. Conversion missed.

Flannagan, however, was next in line to see yellow. Both a team and personal repeat infringement meant the replacement back row spent 10 minutes on the side line, after a high tackle hauled down the Foots Cray winger who had just one Whitstable defender to beat.

Unlike Whitstable, Foots Cray did make their man advantage count. With an extra man in the pack, Foots Cray’s already dominant scrum started to become a serious weapon as Whitstable were unable to retain their own scrum possession. After Whitstable’s midfield forced a knock on, they set for a clearance kick, but Foots Cray turned over the scrum and attacked. Their pacey flyhalf scythed through a chink in the Whitstable defence to touch down for 12-8, before converting his own try.

With ten minutes remaining, and back to their full complement, Whitstable got back on the offensive, but never looked close to changing the outcome.

Where there was initially a lack of decision making, the final ten minutes brought about an uncharacteristic display of individualism where they lost their structure and heads. In contrast, Foots Cray looked the most composed they had all game; intelligently relinquishing possession in order to play for territory by pinning kicks into the corners each time they got the ball and forcing Whitstable to, unsuccessfully, play from deep.

Whitstable’s second defeat of the season means Brockleians regain top spot and Foots Cray move within 3 points. Whitstable return to action on 27th January as they face local rivals Faversham at home in what will be a defining game of the season.

Match report credit to Andy Till