PICTURES: All Blacks get league campaign underway with narrow defeat

Two years ago Folkestone put the men in black to the sword both home and away but despite this they were feeling confident.

The All Blacks started fast and furious using their pack to make in roads before the backs moving the ball well. Half backs George Yeates and Owain Jenkins were forming a new and exciting partnership.

Despite the one sided play it was Folkestone who scored first kicking a penalty from 35 metres out after Hill killed the ball at the ruck.

The black pack rumbled down the park and after winning a penalty the ball was slotted back to OJ who slotted a drop goal from 22 metres out.

The All Blacks continued to dominate with the back row of Tim Daniel, Adam Rez and Dave Wattam putting in a lot of work. After giving away a number of penalties, Hill missed a straight forward kick however moments later OJ slotted another drop goal.

At the restart the Folkestone coach abused the referee and the result was a penalty from the halfway line. Up stepped OJ who slotted the 45 metre kick to go 9-3 up.

It was all Hill now and following another penalty they liked to the corner. At the lineout the ball was driven on and other the line where Tim Daniel scored in the corner. Left footed winger Dave Daly converted from the touchline to go 16-3 up.

Once again the black pack won a penalty and kicked for the corner, this time the ball failed to make touch and Folkestone ran the ball back showing great skill and speed running 70 metres to score a converted try near the posts, 16-10.

With less than a minute on the clock the men in black came right back and following some forward drives, inside centre Max Wilson took a crash ball on the angle and ran in under the posts for the converted score to end the half 23-10.

Folkestone opened up the half at a canter scoring a penalty and unconverted try in quick succession, 23-18.

The All Blacks then came back and were camped in the Folkestone 22 for 15-20 minutes. With OJ now off injured Dave Webb was on at fly half and after switching with Wilson he looked certain to bag his second. The Folkestone defender had other ideas and ripped the ball a he was crashing over the line.

The last 20 were all Folkestone as the men in black’s injuries mounted. With 2 minutes to go the killer moment came as their outside centre crashed over the line for the converted score to end the game 23-25.

The All Blacks were gutted they did not finish Folkestone off when they had their chance and they know it was injuries and concentration that cost them the win.

Next week the men in black travel to Eaatbourne KO 2pm.

With 3 senior teams the Sussex All Blacks are always looking for new players. If anyone would like to join please contact DoR Ross Hallifax on 07941 016836 / [email protected]

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!