Back again – after a couple of week’s rest after two very hard matches, Folkestone were at their best against Old D’s, excelling both in attack and defence to romp home with a convincing win that should set them up nicely for the last game of the year against top-of-the-table and regenerated Ashford.

When Folkestone slip into top gear they are hard to contain and this they did immediately from the kick-off - but then it took some time before they eventually managed to overcome the resilient Old D’s and run out easy winners in spite of 7 points being conceded deep into stoppage time. It was to the credit of Old D’s that they managed to stop the initial rampage and contain Folkestone for 50 minutes without them being able to score a point.

A large crowd, a superbly presented pitch, green and floodlit welcomed the players for the 2 p.m. kick off by Folkestone that Old D’s fielded, kicked to clear – but with two men carelessly in front of the kicker and in front of the posts. Seyhan Fell kicked the penalty with ease. 3 – 0. Old D’s then twice missed relatively easy penalty attempts as Folkestone transgressed near to their own posts. Old D’s had a big pack of forwards, with a pantagruelian second row forward, but The Stones made ground with the first scrum and again with the second scrum from a knock on – this time with Lewis Howland quickly releasing Callum Palmieri whose pass to John Eustace was timed to perfection as he made a full break through, giving Jon Morton a pass to come back inside and release it to Palmieri and there was no-one left to defend, Captain Seyhan Fell added the conversion. 10 – 0.

Such was the confidence and strength of the Folkestone forwards it was a sight to see in one movement, straight from the training ground. After Liam Trinder had seized the ball at a line-out, the pack combined together to power their way 25 metres forward. When it stopped, Lewis Howland passed to Callum Palmieri who put in a delightful short cross-field kick aimed for, and collected by, Freddy Faiers who dodged infield to touch down for Seyhan Fell to convert to raise the tally to 17-0 points in as many minutes.

Old D’s were shocked into taking retaliatory actions and showed they had equal passing skills but possibly not reckoning on the equal tackling skills of Jon Morton, Callum Palmieri and Tom Snare each of whom halted progressive movements with shuddering efficiency. John Eustace was unlucky to be yellow carded when a bounce of the ball evaded the receiver, but Eustace could not. His omission from the defensive line cost a try as Old D’s threw a passing movement to the left wing, finding Folkestone with one man short and breaking through the weakened defence before half-time. 17 – 5.

Whatever was said to Old D’s during the break was effective as they came into the second half with a new determination. Folkestone had put Jack Green and Mat Roots on for Kieran Smith and Freddy Faiers, but they couldn’t get into the game as wave after wave of attack was resisted. Twice Old D’s crossed the try-line in possession but somehow the Folkestone forwards burrowed underneath and prevented the touch down as penalties mounted up against them – and a third within two minutes was in front of the posts and three points were conceded – better than seven points as it so easily could have been with a VAR system! 17-8.

Rob Godden and Alex Price put in massive efforts in defence as had done Jeremie Cowell who was given a well-deserved rest from tackling as a fresh Dave Jarvis came onto the field.

Old D’s golden patch was now left forgotten as The Stones now cut loose. Passing became crisp and running became determined, putting Old D’s into full defensive mode – but it was a brilliant piece of rugby by Lewis Howland that put the comeback into reality when he picked up a loose ball, ran the ‘wrong way’ and nipped through a tackle - made 20 metres in a sprint forward with ‘Thomo’ Murray backing up to take the accurate pass and score a try converted by Seyhan Fell, 50 minutes after the previous home score! 24 – 8.

This seemed to release any tension that existed in the Folkestone team as kicking, passing and running became the way of play, Old D’s noticeably tiring against the revival– they had no answer to another superb three-quarter movement involving Howland, Palmieri, Eustace and Morton – and finally Seyhan Fell coming in from full back to outnumber and out sprint the covering defence. 29 – 8.

The confidence of the backs and the power of the forwards became too much for Old D’s as they were forced into retreat again – and when John Eustace crashed through their line again, they had no one left to cover Jon Morton as he ran the fifth try for Seyhan Fell to notch up an additional two points to show 36 – 8 on the scoreboard.

Old D’s, helped by three penalties, managed to fight back in stoppage time and score a consolation try with a quick tap and a right side move whilst Folkestone were regrouping, but the win was convincing even though a section of the match was played in second gear – necessarily so, in an uphill battle against a good team.

With Ashford losing to lowly Heathfield and Waldron, the league has opened up with the two neighbouring towns and rivals on top of the table. The game between the two next Saturday is one that has enormous significance to the Folkestone squad.

Team: Seyhan Fell (Capt.); Freddie Faiers, Jon Morton, John Eustace, Thomo Murray; Callum Palmieri, Lewis Howland; Tom Snare, Connor Leather, Dave Ballard; Kieran Smith, Rob Godden; Jeremie Cowell, Alex Price, Liam Trinder.
Subs: Mat Roots, Dave Jarvis, Jack Green.

Scorers: Seyhan Fell 3, 2, 2, 2, 5; Callum Palmieri 5; Freddie Faiers 5; Thomo Murray 5; John Morton 5.