FOLKESTONE 32 pts v CROWBOROUGH 24pts 26th November 2022

With four tries in each of the last two matches, Folkestone’s attacking style of rugby earned a well-deserved dividend with a bonus point victory over fellow-strugglers Crowborough in a season of where points have proved difficult to accumulate.

After resisting a series of powerful opening attacks by ‘Boro’, Seyhan Fell intercepted a loose pass and took Stones into the attack with mounting pressure on the try line before a fast combination of left field running and passing between Callum Palmeiri, Harry Dean and ‘Woody’ Fraires lead to the first try with Fraires sprinting in from the left wing, A conversion by Callum Palmieri gave The Stones the start they wanted. 7 – 0.

But they were pegged back as from the restart. Boro broke through the defence on the left side and scored, converting the try to level the scores. 7 – 7. Folkestone’s counter attack swiftly followed with their penetrating left field combination - this time thwarted by a deliberate knock-on that saved a try for the visitors but earned a yellow card.

Adam Tolman and Calum Palmieri formed a new and effective partnership at scrum half at fly half but this was interrupted when Tolman, rather harshly, was yellow carded for protesting a questionable tackle. End-to-end rugby followed with The Stones always looking the more dangerous with their open style of rugby. Palmieri regained the lead with a 40 metre downwind, straight penalty, but this was immediately nullified by a remarkable drop kick from 35 metres into the wind by Crowborough just before half-time. 10 – 10.

The restart by Folkestone was a moment for them to relish, scoring one of the best tries seen this season. Adam Tolman broke through in the centre field, made 20 metres before passing out right and the ball flew at high speed through five backs finally to Seyhan Fell, joining the line, to outnumber and outpace the covering defence. A long-range conversion, into the strengthening wind, by Palmieri opened the gap to 17 – 10.

With the light fading, the floodlights on and the wind now a distinct advantage to Crowborough, they countered well with accurate kicking backed up by their formidable forwards – forcing Folkestone right back to their line that was only defended briefly before ‘Boro’ smashed through under the posts to level the score with an easy conversion. 17 -17.

Harry Illman came off after an exhausting tussle with his opposite number, Tom Snare deputising from centre and Jon Morton replacing him in the backs. Palmieri regained the lead with a penalty goal in front of the posts after another threatening attack. But ‘Boro’ set the home team back when they took the lead for the first time in the match. A right wing move with strong back up from the forwards forced Folkestone back to their line, before a final thrust yielded the try and a conversion. 20 -24.

With 15 minutes left, the experienced Ben Stringer and Rob Godden, who had been highly effective in the forwards, gave way to the youngsters George Uden and George Ford as Folkestone, undaunted by the reversal, mounted attacks on the right and left before another three-quarter line move broke through the covering defence allowing Edward Friaries a 15 metres sprint to the line before diving over. Palmieri’s attempt for an extra two points hit the crossbar. 25 – 24.

A buoyant Folkestone then sealed the bonus point win. Seyhan Fell had been bought down just short of the line when a clearance kick was caught by George Ford who, in a 20-metre powerful run, crashed through a packed defence and touched down near the posts. Palmieri converting. 32 – 24.

Before the final whistle The Stones had to defend their line for 3 full minutes of determined attrition before Alex Price intercepted a short pass and kicked the ball to safety and the final whistle of an exhilarating match.

Team. Mason Colchester Long, James Cousens, Harry Illman, Ben Stringer, Rob Godden, Thomas McKenzie, Tim Wood, Alex Price: Adam Tolman, Calum Palmieri, Greg Wood, Tom Snare, Harry Dean, Woody Fraires, Seyhan Fell. Subs: - Jon Morton, George Uden, George Ford

Scoring: - Try, Fraires 5 – 0 (11) Conversion, Palmieri 7 – 0 (12). Penalty, Palmieri 10 – 7 (39). Try, Fell 15 – 0 (41). Conv. Palmieri 17 – 10 (42). Pen. Palmieri 20 -17 (57). Try, Fraires 25 -24 (74). Try. Ford 30 – 24 (77). Conv. Palmieri 32 – 24 (78)