Horsham RUFC eye strong finish

Saturday’s 25-8 bonus point win against Folkestone completed their first double against the Kent side and a fourth place finish as a springbroard towards a promotion push next year looks within reach.

Will Bell’s penalty ensured Horsham were rewarded for a positive start, although that was soon cancelled out by a Bradley Parson three-pointer.

Tyler Aitken restored the Green and Whites’ advantage with a well-worked try after several phases of play, while further chances to cross went begging for Johnny Whiting and Jamie Gibbs.

The Horsham lead was extended further when Rob Grantham-Hill collected a poor chip and won the foot-race from 30 yards to score under the posts, and Will bell’s conversion made it 15-3. Folkestone did create wave after wave of pressure however, but Horsham remained resolute and put the game beyond doubt when Simon Matterface won a Folkestone lineout five metres from the line and the Horsham pack drove over his second row colleague Ryan Grover to score.

Folkestone did pull a score back however, winger Richard Bowen outflanked the hosts’ defence to dot down i nthe corner, although Horsham had the final say when Brown went over for the fourth try as he danced through the Folkestone defence to score under the posts, after a good offload by young substitute fly-half Aled Price.

Skipper Matt Brown said: “We exercised control throughout. Our defence was excellent and we strangled the life out of them.”