Folkestone finish runners-up

RUGBY TEAM LOST TO SOUTH MOLTON IN THE PAPA JOHN'S COMMUNITY CUP

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FOLKESTONE Rugby Club fell agonisingly short in the final of the Papa John’s Counties Two Shield, losing 36-31 to Devon side South Molton on Sunday.

Founded in 1973, it has taken 52 years for Folkestone RFC to achieve national recognition - and they finally did so by reaching the final held at Shaftesbury Park Stadium in Bristol. Their journey to the final was no small feat, involving more than 1,000 miles of travel in the past three weekends.

Despite their incredible run, silverware narrowly eluded them in a dramatic and hard-fought encounter against South Molton from north Devon. In a scrappy yet thrilling match where flowing rugby was scarce, both sides exchanged the lead multiple times, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.

Folkestone got off to a shaky start, conceding five penalties in the opening five minutes and falling behind 12-0 within the first 20 minutes—without even entering their opponents’ 22-metre area.