Sat 31 Oct 2026
.jpeg)
Over the years, Folkestone have proved something of a bogey team for Bulls, with encounters always physical and tight.
But this season their fortunes have been mixed, while, aside from a blip in the first week, Bulls have put on dominant performances.
Playing into the sun at the New Burlington Ground, Bulls got off to a flying start, with Tom Hughes scooting over in the corner. For the first twenty minutes, they looked by far the better side, keeping the hosts pinned back and embarking on repeat raids into the 22.
Such was the gulf that on 20 minutes Bulls' coaching staff were baffled by the relatively slender 5-15 lead. Captain Ben Pass added to Hughes' opener from the back of a trundling maul and winger Christian Dolley showed excellent footwork for Bulls' third.
But two tries went begging and infringements at the breakdown spoiled their momentum.
Then, from nowhere, the gap was just three points and before Bulls knew it they were 24-15 down.
They clawed back a converted try through Lee Gilchrist, with Hughes adding the extras, to go into the break 24-22 down but it was the boisterous home crowd who were in full voice as the second half got underway.
The tide turned at the start of the second half. Pass replicated his first score to push Bulls in front. Chester Clough then added a penalty and was on hand to convert man of the match Dolley's second try moments later.
The penalty count was creeping up and Ed McConnell, only recently arrived on the pitch, was soon taking a ten-minute breather after cynical play at the breakdown. Somewhere along the line Folkestone had also lost a man to the bin.
Folkestone, who stayed in the fight throughout, hit back to close the gap to six points but conceded a penalty try after their full back garroted Clough as he scythed through. Clough retaliated and both were sent to the sin bin.
A solid Bulls scrum on five metres set the base for a lovely bit of interplay in the backline, with James Alexander strolling under the posts and Hughes adding the conversion.
Folkestone crossed for their six with minutes to go but it proved too little too late and Bulls took five points back up the M20. 36-51.
Coach Jon Alderton said: "I was happy with our determination to fight until the final whistle at what was one of the most hostile environments we've been at this season. Folkestone always have amazing support and quite rightly make it an uncomfortable day out.
"We started strong and finished stronger but let Folkestone back into it with a slight lack of concentration in the middle. But we showed maturity to knuckle down and get back to our structure. Our set piece didn't dip at all which gave us the edge. It was a massive five-point away win ahead of a much-needed break this weekend."
Bulls, tied on 26 points with Maidstone and Cranbrook at the top of Counties Two, now have a week off before welcoming Cranbrook to the Jack Williams Ground.
Bulls ladies enjoyed a hard-fought 22-19 win over Medway at home.
But this season their fortunes have been mixed, while, aside from a blip in the first week, Bulls have put on dominant performances.
Playing into the sun at the New Burlington Ground, Bulls got off to a flying start, with Tom Hughes scooting over in the corner. For the first twenty minutes, they looked by far the better side, keeping the hosts pinned back and embarking on repeat raids into the 22.
Such was the gulf that on 20 minutes Bulls' coaching staff were baffled by the relatively slender 5-15 lead. Captain Ben Pass added to Hughes' opener from the back of a trundling maul and winger Christian Dolley showed excellent footwork for Bulls' third.
But two tries went begging and infringements at the breakdown spoiled their momentum.
Then, from nowhere, the gap was just three points and before Bulls knew it they were 24-15 down.
They clawed back a converted try through Lee Gilchrist, with Hughes adding the extras, to go into the break 24-22 down but it was the boisterous home crowd who were in full voice as the second half got underway.
The tide turned at the start of the second half. Pass replicated his first score to push Bulls in front. Chester Clough then added a penalty and was on hand to convert man of the match Dolley's second try moments later.
The penalty count was creeping up and Ed McConnell, only recently arrived on the pitch, was soon taking a ten-minute breather after cynical play at the breakdown. Somewhere along the line Folkestone had also lost a man to the bin.
Folkestone, who stayed in the fight throughout, hit back to close the gap to six points but conceded a penalty try after their full back garroted Clough as he scythed through. Clough retaliated and both were sent to the sin bin.
A solid Bulls scrum on five metres set the base for a lovely bit of interplay in the backline, with James Alexander strolling under the posts and Hughes adding the conversion.
Folkestone crossed for their six with minutes to go but it proved too little too late and Bulls took five points back up the M20. 36-51.
Coach Jon Alderton said: "I was happy with our determination to fight until the final whistle at what was one of the most hostile environments we've been at this season. Folkestone always have amazing support and quite rightly make it an uncomfortable day out.
"We started strong and finished stronger but let Folkestone back into it with a slight lack of concentration in the middle. But we showed maturity to knuckle down and get back to our structure. Our set piece didn't dip at all which gave us the edge. It was a massive five-point away win ahead of a much-needed break this weekend."
Bulls, tied on 26 points with Maidstone and Cranbrook at the top of Counties Two, now have a week off before welcoming Cranbrook to the Jack Williams Ground.
Bulls ladies enjoyed a hard-fought 22-19 win over Medway at home.
.png)
A big shift from Christian Dolley at number 11 earns him Saturday’s 1st XV Man of the Match! A well-deserved recognition for his efforts out on the pitch. Congratulations, Christian!
