Folkestone lose a very tight but entertaining match by seven points.

TWO POINTS FOR FOLKESTONE AS THEY LOSE NARROWLY IN A NINE TRY THRILLER AT ASHFORD.

The match that had everything. The last game of the year; old rivals, neighbouring towns, home team with a better results record, away team with a better scoring record, first and second in the division, large crowd, dry day, but boggy field, and huge interest. All this, and a thrilling game – that had the crowd on tenterhooks as play went from end to end from beginning to the final whistle.

Ultimately, the pressure that the large and mobile Ashford pack of forwards were able to generate was the difference between two sides, but Folkestone with four tries and two very near misses had to settle for a try bonus point and a losing bonus point.

Ominous signs for Folkestone were evident in the opening minutes when two scrums were won by Ashford with pushes that had the Folkestone pack going backwards. This gave good home possession in the 22-metre zone - fast passing and a reverse switch inside allowed a gap that was opened for a score under the posts, easily converted. But the celebrations and the cheers were extremely short-lived as The Stones kicked off, won the ball in a scrap, swung it out left - and John Eustace crashed through to score with a straight and powerful run that Ashford tried, but could not stop. Seyhan Fell failed the conversion, the ball bouncing off the wrong side of the post, but the game had had an exciting start. 7 – 5.

Folkestone looked sprightly after this, attacking down the left wing, but Ashford came back and showed they had the capability of retaining the ball, and making ground opening up the backs, but then often returning the ball into the forwards. A scrum on the Folkestone 22 metre line was bodily heaved backwards – released out right, returned inside, and the gap was there for a second converted try. 14-5.

Lewis Howland and Callum Palmieri worked the ball out to Jon Morton who set Ashford right back with a well-placed kick – but the same pair were quickly in defence as Ashford struck back as fast move on the right wing was almost in touch, almost made the try line, and was almost held up in a scramble but the referee, in consultation with the Ashford touch judge, awarded a try much to the chagrin of the Folkestone team, who seemed to know better. 19 – 5.

A brouhaha folllowed after the resumption when Palmieri seemed to be held off the ball and kicked, Alex Price and the Ashford right wing were yellow carded, and Folkestone were awarded the penalty. This set up an attack close to the line Ashford did well to resist, but Folkestone were opening up. Freddy Faiers had a run, Jon Eustace and Thomo Murray both made inroads into a quick and solid defence, but the Ashford backs were out manoeuvred and outpaced when the ball was stolen, releasing Freddy Faiers on the left wing who flew through to score, with Seyhan Fell adding the conversion. 19 -10.

It so easily could have been 19 - 17 when Jon Morton, early in the second half, bodily crashed through to touch down, but the referee decided the ball was knocked on before, and not after the touchdown. Bad luck for Folkestone, but no luck was involved when they attacked again on the right with Fell coming close. A penalty to Folkestone put them on the 5 metre line. The line-out was secured by Rob Godden, and a maul formed with Folkestone swinging the melee to the left – but Connor Leather emerged from the right and squiggled through, low down, to reach out and score allowing Seyhan Fell to slot the conversion. 19 – 17.

Colby Hayward and Jack Green had come on for Kieran Smith and Thomo Murray. Ashford went back to their well drilled tactic of ball retention and 10-man rugby, using their forward power and, although it never dominated, it was certainly very effective. No more so when a line-out, 8 metres out was won, the Folkestone forwards were unprepared for an eight-man charge that bundled them, and the ball, over for Ashford’s bonus point try. 24 – 17.

A few decisions were going against Folkestone as Ashford went into top gear to try to secure the game and in their best period had the visitors having to defend well within their own half. But the pounding had its effect as the ball was moved from side to side until half a gap was seen and with a fast break through Ashford scored and converted. 31 – 17.

Dave Archer came into the forwards for Dave Ballard before Jack Green shocked the crowd twice with his pace as he was released on the right wing, claiming a try, but perhaps an inch short. And again, his cross-field run had Ashford in trouble, but a high pass and a knock on saved the day for them. John Eustace went off with an arm injury, after a superb game, and Thomo Murray came back on field.

Folkestone, fit as ever, strived for an opening as Ashford seemed rattled – coming through deliberately off-side to slow down play. The referee produced a yellow card from his pocket, but the unidentified offender had hidden himself well and got away with it! But the penalty produced a five-metre line out – but lost to the Ashford pack. Tragedy – but no! A defensive kick found Freddy Faiers 30 metres out who then produced an amazing run – seemingly gliding seraphically through the whole Ashford team to score under the posts, but, in fact, at a speed no-one could grasp, but only gasp. This fourth try earned a try bonus point, and when Seyhan Fell converted a second point was added with the score. 31 – 24.

This was a thrilling match between two top teams, with the home side winning but with Folkestone raring for the return fixture when it would be hoped to be played on firm, fast ground – rather than the Bog of Ashford - when the white lines will be clearly visible.

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

Subs: James Archer, Colby Hayward, Jack Green.

Scorers: Eustace 5; Faiers 5, 5; Fell 2, 2; Leather 5.

Scores: Try, Eustace.(8) Try, Faiers 19 – 10 (38) Conv. Fell 19 – 12 (39). Try, Leather 19 – 17 (48) Try Faiers 31 – 22 (39). Conv. Fell 31 – 24 (40).