Last play is a Dagger through D's hearts

The last two encounters between these sides had ended with Folkestone on the end of a sixty point hammering but it was clear from the outset that the outcome would be a lot closer this time with these visitors proving an altogether more skilful and resilient proposition.

Early exchanges saw Folkestones opening try equalised when Quincy Uiugia created an overlap for Daneil Kurcia, the old boys edging ahead with the conversion. Folkestone retook the lead with a penalty and a try from a well worked line out move. As the half closed Folkestone had definitely established the upper hand, their scrum getting the nudge on and the old boys coughing up penalties in their desperation to stop the surge. As Folkestone lined up a shot at goal the home crowd, lubricated by a VP lunch marshalled again by Burnsy ribbed the oppo in the manner that half cut crowds do. “Shut the fvck up you cvnt” rejoined the Folkestone hooker suavely. That’s why I bring the kids here and not to football I reflected. The half closed with Folkestones ascendancy established via a 7- 15 scoreboard advantage.

D’s, enjoying the slope, started the second half vigorously and a period of pressure was rewarded when centre Daneil Kurcia grubber bounced kindly off a Folkestone defender, a measure of justice as the defender determinedly baulked Kurcias kick chase. With fly half Quincy Uiugia prompting waves of attacks it was only Folkestone commitment and their midfields line speed that was keeping their lead intact. Time and again the Old Boys found themselves in promising positions only for Folkestones trenchant defending and their own loss of concentration (D’s were shoved off two attacking scrums in the Folkestone red zone conceding penalties on both occasions)thwarting them. The only chinks that appeared came in the form of three kickable penalties, though as the count of cynical disruptive offences continued one wondered where the yellow card was. Two of which were converted to take the game to the brink of full time at 18 all with the draw a fair result. Would there be time for D’s to force the win? From the restart the hosts made ground up the right touchline with Ben Marchant being bundled into touch less than 10 metres from the try line. From the resultant line out Folkestone were awarded a scrum. Surely if they secured their own put in the ball would be kicked dead to lift the siege and end the game? Scrum ball duly secured the ball was spun right and as a Dunstonian defender gambled unsuccessfully on intercepting a long pass the break was on. The full back crossed half way and drew the last tackler and to the home crowds mounting horror Folkestones moment of magnificent ambition was rewarded as their speedy winger finished in the corner as the final act of the match.

A tough to take outcome in a fixture the old boys had enough second half possession to win. This Dunstonian side is starting to gel nicely now and will expect to compete in the top half of what is proving to be a competitive division. Perhaps they kicked away too much possession in the first half and then kicked not enough in the second when the chance existed to pin Folkestone into the clubhouse corners, but otherwise there were plenty of signs of good things to come. Mention too of Folkestone who took their chances well, Especially 2 try Dagger, scrummaged hard and defended the siege like their lives depended on it. Expect both sides to be in contention come March next year.

Another tough game this Saturday as D’s travel to Dartfordians for a first fixture against this oppo for a good few years. Coach Smith will be working on the many positives as the old boys look to get back to winning ways.