This was a must win game for both sides, with ‘Boro clawing slowly but inexorably up the table putting together several impressive results, whilst Folkestone were determined to end their losing streak and break away from their 11th spot.
Indeed it was the visitors who seemed to want the result the most, coming out of the blocks from the first whistle, with their forwards controlling possession and denying Crowborough any meaningful ball for several minutes.
Once the visitors pack had sucked in the ‘Boro defence, the excellent Folkestone #10 was able to exploit the wide open spaces that developed at the back, and a simple but very effective cross field kick behind the ‘Boro back three straight into the arms of the centre, saw the first try of the afternoon that went unconverted.0-5
With 20 minutes gone and ‘Boro still on the back foot and unable to take control, Folkestone added to their score and ‘Boro’s misery, with a delicate inside pass by the outside centre to the fast arriving full back who broke the first line of defence and side stepped the last line, to score under the posts for a well-deserved, converted try. 0-12
Crowborough did start to get their act together but the moves were more desperate than convincing, and although the Folkestone line was threatened, Folkestone were soon once more controlling the pace and direction of the game, playing with purpose in the ‘Boro half. With the momentum going their way a driving maul five metres out from the ‘boro line was only going to have one result as the Folkestone prop crashed over for their third try of the half that was converted 0-19.
This was the banana skin that had faced ‘Boro earlier in the season at Ashford, and with still five minutes of the half remaining the next score would be crucial, if Crowborough were to climb out of the mire they had created for themselves.
The desperate position seemed to suddenly resonate with the ‘Boro collective, and for the first time in the match, upping the pace, ‘Boro secured good quick ball,
and with support arriving fast the off loads stuck and, the up until then Folkestone resolute defence, broke apart as Andy Orchard finished off the move to score out wide for the unconverted try that took the half time score to 5-19. HT
In the half time huddle one can only imagine what words of encouragement were offered by the ‘Boro coaching team, but whatever it was, combined with positional and personnel changes the result was immediate and definitive.
Ollie Clinch moved to #9 , with Bertie Boast slotting in at #10 and Tom Noott, introduced into the back row adding width to their play and an urgency around the edges of the scrum, it only left Harry Marchesi and Connor Hand to swap places to restore a balance to the final line of defence.
From the kick off the ball was moved wide to Andy Walters who latched onto an expansive Bertie Boast pass, and with support outside, he broke through two levels of defence to score to the left of the posts for a Connor Hand converted try. 12-19
Dave Bennett and Alex Purnell with the support of Tom Noott, freed from the arm-wrestling up front, made thorough nuisances of themselves in the loose, providing good quality ball for their backs.
Folkestone, however would refuse to lie down and were determined to protect, if not increase their lead. ‘Boro’s defence maintained it’s poise and although their line was to be threatened , it was not to be crossed again limiting Folkestone to a three point penalty, but taking ‘Boro out of losing bonus point territory. 12-22
At this point in the match with more than twenty minutes to go there were few in the ‘Boro camp who were thinking anything but the win. That reality drew nearer when Crowborough attacked from a lineout down the right, and setting up the maul drove the quickly tiring Folkestone eight over the line for a debutant try from Dan Harris. The kick was missed.17-22
With the kick-off not travelling 10 metres, Andy Kidd from the ensuing scrum broke from the back making fully 30 metres before being halted, but the ‘Boro support was quickly in attendance, and the ball recycled to the wing. Again the movement was stopped, but as the pack arrived and drove to the line the referee judged Folkestone to be guilty of illegally preventing a try, and awarded a penalty try taking the score to 24-22, taking Crowborough into the lead for the first time in the match but still with fifteen minutes of the match to play.
During this time both sides were reduced to 14 men as the respective #12 were sin binned for giving “unwanted advice” to the referee. As far as Crowborough were concerned this was the time for sensible game management, playing the game deep in the opposition half and knowing when to kick and when to pass.
Unfortunately the remaining minutes were less than comfortable for the home supporters, as the home side did the exact opposite, but fortunately managed to hold out until the final whistle.24-22
For the non- Partisan supporter this was a great match to watch, but for the committed on either side it was a little fraught!
This Saturday Crowborough host 12th placed Ashford at Steel Cross, where after their last encounter the opposition will need to be taken most seriously. Beware the wounded tiger.