Dover 1st XV (25) v Beccehamians (16)

Played on 4th November, 2006

 

Dover maintained their unbeaten run with their fifth consecutive win against a powerful and determined Beccehamians outfit.

Dover started exceptionally well and the early indications were promising. After only 3 minutes Dover won line-out ball on the far right of the pitch. The ball was spread wide over 3 phases of play and left winger Mark Beaumont scored an excellent touchdown managing to make the distance under the posts for his ‘baby brother’ Martyn to convert. It was unfortunate that much of Dover’s possession was in fact wasted by basic errors, more missed tackles and a number of unnecessary penalties that would have cost the Sharks, had several easy attempts not been missed by the Beccs kicker. He did slot one after 8 minutes but the Sharks immediately responded when Beaumont notched a penalty several minutes later. Although this steadied the ship Beccs hit back and just after the 20 minute mark a Dover back was penalised for being in an offside position in his 22 and from the tap the visitors secured the ball and drove forward scoring under the posts with the conversion thankfully missed.

This had allowed Beccs back into the game and in truth Dover ’s errors were feeding them possession. It should be noted that Beccs are a mature and heavy outfit and a number of their players have been round the block, having played at a higher standard during their careers. Credit must be given to Ricky Stanleys pack for their, as one ex-club skipper described, ‘heroic efforts’ throughout the day. Grossly outweighed they stuck to the job without being intimidated and didn’t buckle and can be congratulated for their grit and determination. On the half hour Kirk Savage took a scrum against the head 10 metres inside Beccs half. Wayne Matcham broke fed to Ben Murray and a deft little pass to skipper Beaumont saw him skip through under the posts to easily convert.

Dover continued to play well defence was good and the counter attack a pleasure to watch. Had they been more clinical further points would have followed. Just before half time Beccs were back into the contention when they were gifted with an easy try when Dover failed to secure a loose ball.

With the advantage of the slope in the second half it was looking favourable but it didn ’t go to plan when Beccs kicked a penalty to narrow the gap to just one point. Dover worked hard, Dale Tonks, Buster Collins, Chris Lacey and Matt Emmerson were prominent about the park, the latter looking more like ‘the mask’ with a makeshift face cover protecting a nasty cut to his protruding ‘hooter’. The resilience paid off and the in form Ed Close scored a cracker following a good piece of work from Murray. This cushion seemed to give the young Sharks the confidence they needed. Some of the play in the last 20 was exceptional. Lines of running from Lee Tonks, Ricky Mackintosh and Jamie Townley were a pleasure to watch and the pressure was now being applied at the bottom end of the pitch. Young prop Shane Moore, who had again done the business was replaced by Chris Lucas who quickly put in a thumping tackle and Craig May replaced ‘the mask’ Emmerson who can be singled out for his brave performance. Beaumont then kicked another penalty and Dover sealed their valuable win in a hard fought contest.

Coach Graham Tonks commented; ‘The guys knew they had been in a game today. They opened well and finished brilliantly against a very good team who always cause us problems. The lineout was good and I am pleased with the points. We still have much to work on to maintain the pressure at the top of the league’.

Team ; Stanley, Savage, Moore, Tonks D, Lacey, Matcham, Emmerson, Collins, Murray, Beaumont Martyn, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Beaumont Mark, Close, Lucas, May, Wallace.

Report by: Dick Collins