Sat 7 Mar 2026, 14:00
The Bulls, who were handed a walkover in the league last week, travelled to Faversham in search of some much-needed game time in a friendly fixture. With Faversham’s 1st XV competing two leagues above the Bulls’ 2nd XV, the hosts fielded a mixed side, but any concerns about rustiness after two weeks without a match were quickly dispelled.
Straight from the kick-off the Bulls put together a series of well-worked phases, and centre Matt Hill blasted through his opposite number to touch down inside three minutes. With Chester Clough adding the conversion, the Bulls had the perfect start.
Momentum stayed firmly with the visitors. The Bulls’ set piece proved dominant, with both the scrum and lineout troubling the heavier Faversham pack. A quick tap penalty from debutant Sam Gale caught the home side napping, and with front rower Austin Tooze in support, the Bulls added a second try. Clough was again accurate from the tee, pushing the lead out to 14–0.
The highlight of the half arrived around the 30-minute mark. James Cripps produced a strong turnover at the ruck before feeding Clough deep inside his own half. The fly-half’s galloping run, weaving past a stunned Faversham backline, ended with winger Chris Henwood finishing the move in the corner — a try that will surely be a contender for try of the season. An exhausted Clough was unable to add the extras.
The first half finished with Clough again at the centre of the action, producing a winding solo run before finding Gale in support for the Bulls’ fourth try. Clough converted to round off a dominant half and send the teams in at 26–0.
Faversham deserve credit for their response after the break. They came out with renewed intensity and, despite spending much of the third quarter defending inside their own 22, the Bulls struggled to break through the middle. Faversham’s dangerous outside centre caused problems and briefly had the Bulls on the back foot as the hosts searched for a way back into the game.
However, the final quarter belonged to the Bulls. Space opened up out wide and Henwood crossed for his second try of the afternoon, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt.
Debutant Sam Gale then took centre stage. Reading the game a phase ahead, he spotted a gap just inside his own half and sniped through to score his second try. Five minutes later, more excellent support play saw him over again to complete a superb hat-trick on debut in a Bulls shirt.
The final whistle blew with the Bulls emphatic 43–0 winners, delivering a performance that showed they can compete comfortably at a higher level, combining dangerous attacking play with a bone-crunching defensive effort.
All senior Bulls sides have a rest week coming up. Action resumes on the 21st, when the 2nd XV travel to Dover, while the 1st XV host Medway.
Straight from the kick-off the Bulls put together a series of well-worked phases, and centre Matt Hill blasted through his opposite number to touch down inside three minutes. With Chester Clough adding the conversion, the Bulls had the perfect start.
Momentum stayed firmly with the visitors. The Bulls’ set piece proved dominant, with both the scrum and lineout troubling the heavier Faversham pack. A quick tap penalty from debutant Sam Gale caught the home side napping, and with front rower Austin Tooze in support, the Bulls added a second try. Clough was again accurate from the tee, pushing the lead out to 14–0.
The highlight of the half arrived around the 30-minute mark. James Cripps produced a strong turnover at the ruck before feeding Clough deep inside his own half. The fly-half’s galloping run, weaving past a stunned Faversham backline, ended with winger Chris Henwood finishing the move in the corner — a try that will surely be a contender for try of the season. An exhausted Clough was unable to add the extras.
The first half finished with Clough again at the centre of the action, producing a winding solo run before finding Gale in support for the Bulls’ fourth try. Clough converted to round off a dominant half and send the teams in at 26–0.
Faversham deserve credit for their response after the break. They came out with renewed intensity and, despite spending much of the third quarter defending inside their own 22, the Bulls struggled to break through the middle. Faversham’s dangerous outside centre caused problems and briefly had the Bulls on the back foot as the hosts searched for a way back into the game.
However, the final quarter belonged to the Bulls. Space opened up out wide and Henwood crossed for his second try of the afternoon, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt.
Debutant Sam Gale then took centre stage. Reading the game a phase ahead, he spotted a gap just inside his own half and sniped through to score his second try. Five minutes later, more excellent support play saw him over again to complete a superb hat-trick on debut in a Bulls shirt.
The final whistle blew with the Bulls emphatic 43–0 winners, delivering a performance that showed they can compete comfortably at a higher level, combining dangerous attacking play with a bone-crunching defensive effort.
All senior Bulls sides have a rest week coming up. Action resumes on the 21st, when the 2nd XV travel to Dover, while the 1st XV host Medway.
