It was good to see a big support travelling to Cranbrook to roar the Stones on in their last game of the season. And they were treated to a festival of tries and an amazing individual performance which will remain in the memory for a long time. It's not often that 2nd row forwards score any tries so if one of these tough guys scores five tries in a game you have seen something quite brilliant. Step forward David Baxter. This man has fought back after a series of injuries and has stepped up in the final matches of the season even though doctors have told him that he should not play at all! But Baxter has green blood and knowing that the squad was suffering with a big injury list he made himself available. Usually it's a tough decision to select the Man of the Match and there were many excellent performance from the Stones players today but Baxter was absolutely brilliant. He commanded the line-outs with excellent support from Moose Murray and Charlie Williams and got himself into the right position to score his tries. I reckon it could be a club record as I cannot remember any senior player from the New Burlington scoring 5 tries in one game. Readers won't be surprised to know that he also won some money on the Grand National. We are waiting to hear how he got on in the Lottery.

But in the first 5 minutes you may have thought Folkestone were going to lose this game as Cranbrook got straight into the game from the kick-off. Folkestone were all over the place trying to deal with the high ball and mucked it up giving the home team a scrum. The Cranbrook pack set the ball perfectly and good passing saw them attacking with relish and they were in for an excellent converted try. 7-0.

The Folkestone support was in party mood and some of them thought the party was about to be destroyed by a bad result but the Stones players had other ideas. But first there was a little time to worry the visiting support as Folkestone took a quick tap penalty inside the Cranbrook half. The ball was intercepted and Cranbrook looked set to double the score with a breakaway only for the referee to penalise the home team for not allowing Folkestone to make 10 metres with their penalty. From this penalty Folkestone kicked to touch where Baxter had already shown he was going to boss the line-out and he took this one and rumbled up the pitch before offloading to Simon Harris who took the ball further up the pitch before returning the ball to Baxter who battered his way through the home defence for his first score. Seyhan Fell added the conversion. 7-7.

A few minutes later Folkestone took the lead after earning a penalty. Fell was about 48 metres from goal so it wasn't easy. He hit a beauty. 7-10.

There was much good play fron both teams but they each suffered with dropped balls and both defences were on good form. Richard Lama and Jon Morton showed their flair when Lama turned Cranbrook ball over and burst out of his 22. He powered through the first 2 tackles before being caught and his pass to Morton on the tackle was just a few inches ahead of Morton for him to take so instead he volleyed the ball down the park and much to Cranbrook's relief it bounced out of play inside their own 22. With just a little bit of luck Morton would have scored.

But Folkestone extended their lead a few minutes later. Cranbrook had the put-in at a scrum inside their half but the Stones pack forced them back and the ref awarded a penalty to the visitors. Fell hit another beauty. 7-13.

At half time both teams desperately took on water. It was hot out there and both teams were going at it with total commitment which made it an enjoyable game to watch. Despite scoring just one try in the first period Folkestone's supporters felt their team were in with a chance of a 4 try bonus point. The visiting pack was getting on top and playmakers, Simon Harris and Chris Petley were getting good ball to set up their attacks. Harris, too, had been told by the doctors not to play but with first choice scrum half, Jordan Godden out with injury, Harris played to help his team mates. The decisions of Harris and Baxter shows the good chemistry that coaches, Darren Molloy and Steve Milward, have created. A second example of the cameraderie was shown after the game when the Folkestone team and supporters broke out into a loud cheer when club chairman announced that the club's 4th XV led by Simon Petts and Joe Wilson had beaten Thanet to win the East Kent Div 2 Cup at Dover.

Back to the game. Folkestone forced themselves into the home 22 and the Stones pack set up a rolling maul. Seeing a gap in the home defence Harris demanded the ball and passed quickly to Baxter who took up a perfect line to the try line to score out wide. 7-18.

The next try saw Folkestone moving the ball to the left with Will Massey driving for several yards before releasing the ball to his right where Baxter took the ball at pace and got those thunderthighs of his working to take him over the line for his hat trick. Fell added the conversion. 7-25.

Full credit to the home team as they came straight back up the park. They moved the ball from right to left and they had a 4 man overlap but their ball carrier didn't see it and he took the ball into contact and the attack was stopped or so we thought. From the ruck Cranbrook again attacked on the left and this time they got through to score. 12-25.

Visiting supporters began to get nervous when Cranbrook added another try minutes later. This Stones squad love giving their supporters some thrills. Folkestone were attacking in the home 22 but the ball was turned over and Cranbrook burst out of the 22. The ball was passed to the left winger who raced down the wing before curving in to score under the posts for a converted try. 19-25.

With the final whistle getting close Folkestone got themselves into home territory and won a penalty, Sensibly skipper, Richard Lama, took the option of a kick to goal and Fell added another 3 points. 19-28.

Surely Folkestone had done enough to win but out came the party pieces. The 4th try was a beauty. Folkestonne had used the pick and go to get themselves into a good position in the middle of the home 22. The ball came out of the ruck to Adam Tolman who took it on running across the pitch. Once again Baxter came powering in at right angle to Harris behind him. Tolman has natural rugby flair and great vision. Somehow he knew Baxter was coming in so he served up a delicious reverse flick pass to him. In that movement the home team were wrongfooted and Baxter crashed over again. 19-33. It was simple but magnificent rugby.

It still wasn't over as once again Folkestone used the pick and go to get themselves into the home 22, this time right up to the 5 metre line. Who was there to collect the ball and score? Yet again it was that man Baxter. I think all the spectators realised they had seen something very special today from Baxter. He was awesome. Fell added the penalty for a 40-19 victory and for the first time in many seasons they finished the league with a positive points difference having scored 477 points and conceding 407 in their 22 matches.

Jake Johnson, once again put in a good shift and the crowd cheered him on as time and time again he battered his way into the home defence. Props, Paul Hodges and David Easby won the battle up front ensuring that good ball was presented to Harris who combined very well with Petley. Petley put in some excellent tactical kicks and he and Harris set up some great attacks. Once again the Folkestone backs played very well showing pace and flair in attack and putting in some big tackles in defence. Moose Murray once again playing out of position showed he is made of tough stuff as he dived head first into opposition territory. Charlie Williams, for me, has been a great signing. Ashford must be kicking themselves when he joined the Stones at the start of the season and worked hard to get into the 1st XV. He patorls the entire pitch and is always near any loose ball that demands attention. He has fantastic stamina, gives 100% and is a favourite of the supporters.

After the match coach Molloy took his players to one side and told them that this was just the start. Next season he will be demanding commitment from all his players. He will stick with the no train no play policy and he's right. Too often in the past Folkestone have looked capable but not enough players have shown the commitment needed. But remember whereas many clubs reward players with cash incentives Folkestone remain truly amateur. Except for Hodges, Easby and Williams the squad joined the club as youngsters and have worked their way into the 1st XV. If they perform as they can do and they find consistency they can win promotion but we can all talk a good game. These Folkestone lads have to do it on the pitch in training hard and then knocking back their opponents on match day. One thing I can guarantee is that a visit to the New Burlington next season will provide great entertainment.

Squad:

R Lama, P Hodges, J Cox, D Easby, W Massey, D Baxter, M Murray, A Randall, W Turner, J Johnson, C Williams, S Harris, C Petley, B Brooks, S Fell, J Morton, A Tolman, B Page

Other results today in London SE3 today are:

Bromley 33 Dartfordians 10

Eastbourne 0 Charlton Park 77

Heathfield & Waldron 42 Crawley 14

Horsham 24 Crowborough 53

Medway 54 Park House 20

Which means that our old friends, Heathfield & Waldron are champions on 97 points with Charlton Park 2 points behind and Crowborough 3 points behind them. These 3 teams have served up a thrilling chase for the title and you have to feel sorry for Crowborough who got so close. Medway are in 4th place with Park House in 5th place just a point ahead of Folkestone (55 points) who are 5 points ahead of Eastbourne. Bromley are in 8th position. Then come Horsham and Crawley while it looks like Cranbrook and Dartfordians are relegated. A pity as they were both excellents hosts with good players. Let's hope they can both bounce straight back up.

Congratulations to Heathfield & Waldron. They are deserved champions and came so close to winning the league in the 2 previous seasons. Let's hope Folkestone can earn promotion next season so we can enjoy our visits to their friendly and welcoming club.

The 1st XV squad want me to thank all the supporters who travelled to roar them on and who have been behind them all season. There was a great atmosphere on the pitch and on the touchlines. They were also full of thanks to Mark Wood at Elford Coaches who have provided the transport for all the away matches.

Photos are currently being edited and will be on the FRFC Facebook site by about 11pm tonight I hope.

And that's all folks. Book your seats for the Presentation Dinner on May 14. It's always good fun as various players from all the clubs' teams receive their trophies. Email philipgcooper@hotmail.co.uk to get your seat. The cost is just £15. Supporters are very welcome.