Sat 18 Apr 2026
The remote prospect of promotion provided added incentive as Bulls squared up against old rivals Folkestone.
A win here had evaded Bulls since 2018, but with a pacy backline playing on a rock-hard pitch expectations were high.
Playing up hill and into the sun Bulls did well to soak up attacking waves.
They were let down by poor handling and weak work at the ruck but limited the hosts to a single converted try.
A penalty was missed and the score at half time was 7-0.
Folkestone were the more frustrated of the two sides and showed it with a ferocious start to the second 40.
They doubled their lead early on before winger Tom Hughes reduced it to seven with a shimmy through the midfield. Fin Ashdown-Denney converted from in front of the posts.
Folkestone had another to make it 21-7 but Barney Brown scooted down the left wing and under the posts to close the gap.
Hughes broke through and cut back inside brilliantly for his second and Ashdown-Denney slotted the extras to set up a thrilling finish.
Bulls had the momentum and repeated raids upfield, including a spectacular break from centre Matt Hill, meant a winning score seemed imminent.
By the closing minutes Bulls were dominant in almost every area. They forced a penalty from a scrum five metres out. Ashdown-Denney slotted it coolly and the game was won. 21-24.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Bulls, who sank to the foot of the table during a torrid start but shot to the top with 11 wins on the bounce, including a monumental victory against league winners Tonbridge Juddians.
Bulls welcome Beckenham to the Jack Williams Ground this Saturday for the final game of the season.
A win here had evaded Bulls since 2018, but with a pacy backline playing on a rock-hard pitch expectations were high.
Playing up hill and into the sun Bulls did well to soak up attacking waves.
They were let down by poor handling and weak work at the ruck but limited the hosts to a single converted try.
A penalty was missed and the score at half time was 7-0.
Folkestone were the more frustrated of the two sides and showed it with a ferocious start to the second 40.
They doubled their lead early on before winger Tom Hughes reduced it to seven with a shimmy through the midfield. Fin Ashdown-Denney converted from in front of the posts.
Folkestone had another to make it 21-7 but Barney Brown scooted down the left wing and under the posts to close the gap.
Hughes broke through and cut back inside brilliantly for his second and Ashdown-Denney slotted the extras to set up a thrilling finish.
Bulls had the momentum and repeated raids upfield, including a spectacular break from centre Matt Hill, meant a winning score seemed imminent.
By the closing minutes Bulls were dominant in almost every area. They forced a penalty from a scrum five metres out. Ashdown-Denney slotted it coolly and the game was won. 21-24.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Bulls, who sank to the foot of the table during a torrid start but shot to the top with 11 wins on the bounce, including a monumental victory against league winners Tonbridge Juddians.
Bulls welcome Beckenham to the Jack Williams Ground this Saturday for the final game of the season.
