EDF Senior Vase
Old Caterhamians 5, Dover 22
Played on 8th October 2006
The Sharks tame the Cats
Dover’s met Old C’s in their first appearance of the season in the Senior Vase against a team who had defeated Ashford comfortably in the previous round. The conditions of the dreadful sloping and uneven pitch suited the home side more favorably and it took a little time for Dover to acquaint themselves to the terrain! Dover started well kicking up the hill against the wind but unfortunately a pass went wayward and the Cat’s took the advantage with the right winger scoring in the corner.
The Sharks quickly re-grouped and from a line-out they drove some 20 meters with inside half Benjamin Murray braking blind and quick hands saw Martyn Beaumont score and convert to take the lead. From here-on Dover looked, by far, the better team. They defended like ‘Trojans’ and wherever possible took the game to the Cat’s with some sterling work by both forwards and backs. Prop Shane Moore, making his first full appearance, looked comfortable up front against an opponent who repeatedly tried to unsettle him. Kirk Savage was again his feisty self and once again Dover won their fair share of line-out and scrums. At times Dover tried to rush the game and Old C’s were picking up the scraps from the odd mistake. Pressure was maintained and Beaumont slotted a penalty on the half hour mark with the score remaining the same at the break.
The second half held similar comparisons to that of last week with further indiscipline that prevented the Sharks from scoring a hatful. However the pressure and strength of the Sharks was to prove too much for the hosts, who’s partisan crowd behaviour turned from purring to hissing as the game progressed. After 10 minutes of the second half Dover were awarded a penalty just inside the opposition half and a fine kick saw Dover win the line-out on the 5 metre line and a superb drive by the pack saw Matt Emmerson touch down. The conversion followed. Five minutes later Lee Tonks intercepted a pass between the opposition centres and ran 30 metres to touch down.
Cats’s tried their utmost to get back in the game but were repelled at every attempt. The tackling was fierce with Jamie Townley, Ed Close and Adam Wallace solid in defence. The Sharks rucking was impressive, which again upset the home side’s supporters, who clearly had not been subjected to the art which was well within the legal requirements of the game. Buster Collins was his usual aggressive and composed self about the park and Dale Tonks came on from the bench for the first time this season to show what he is capable of. The home side saw their centre disappear into the woods when yellow carded for dissent and the referee did his best in maintaining order.
Dover finished the game in control and on the final whistle ‘most’ of the home side wished Dover well for the next round.
Graham Tonks commented; ‘Once again we have shown just what we are capable of achieving. Our confidence is growing and the strength in character and ability is pleasing. The atmosphere today, certainly in the second half, was at times hostile and once again I have had to ask questions regarding our discipline. Taking everything into account our overall play was strong and the support play excellent’.
Team;Moore, Savage, Lucas, Robinson, Lacey, Matcham, May, Collins, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Tolman, Wallace, Close, Hewer, Tonks G, Tonks D, Emmerson.
Report by: Richard Collins.
Posted 09/10/2006
