Crowborough (0) V Dover 1st XV (32)
Played on 2nd December, 2006
Dover travelled to the friendly East Sussex side with a determination to put last week’s disappointment behind them. The pitch was heavy following torrential rain and was smaller than the Sharks are used to playing on and a dogged performance was needed against the newly promoted side who have already taken a number of scalps this season. Dover welcomed the return of Gus Surrendorf, who has been missing for the past two seasons, owing to work commitments in Iraq. The team were delighted to see him back in the fold at number 8 and his presence, experience and knowledge had been sorely missed since his departure.
Dover started brightly and immediate pressure was applied against
the home team. Whatever had gone wrong last week was soon put right
and
the confidence and spirit was soon showing dividends. After 10 minutes
Buster Collins turned over a ball deep into the Borough half. A scrum
followed and inside half Ben Murray fed Ricky Mackintosh on the blind
and he powered over. Martyn Beaumont converted.
Dover from hereon took control and only two minutes later winger Mark
Beaumont was fed quick ball and he left his opposite number to touch
down wide in the corner. Borough were in all sorts of trouble as they
did their utmost to stop the points flowing. The packs performance
was hugely impressive. The set pieces were much improved and the front
three of Chris Lucas, Rick Stanley and hooker Kirk Savage were solid.
Chris Lacey and Dale Tonks were doing their ‘donkey’ work
in the loose and the lineouts. It hadn’t taken Surrendorf long
to settle and bearing in mind this was his first outing, it was a comfort
to see another ball carrier in the mix.
Conditions were difficult for both sides with a number of enforced handling errors from both sides. Mackintosh was on fire all day and every time he took hold of the ball the home supporters were on tenterhooks as he continually pierced holes in the defence. On thirty minutes Dover increased the score. A penalty was awarded against Borough for offside and from a quick tap the ball was spread beautifully along the line with full back Stuart Dean on hand to touch down.
Borough did eventually threaten in the first half and following some pressure centre Ed Close was provided a peach of a ball and he broke from the 22 and the Sharks were unlucky not to score on the counter attack.
At the interval Dover were surprisingly only 17 points up. The second half turned out to be a much closer affair as Borough rallied and for the next quarter they caused a number of problems. Dover’s defence was steadfast and some fine tackling by the team stopped the hosts from scoring. After 22 minutes the home side’s outside half was caught in possession and from the turnover the ball was spread wide with Mark Beaumont racing away to grab his second. Borough had improved immensely however any mistake the Sharks pounced and were on hand to punish. Flankers Collins and Wayne Matcham had worked hard all afternoon and were replaced with the fresh legs of Danny Robinson and Greg Hewer, both returning from injury. The pressure continued and Robinson quickly robbed a ball and Dover again pressed forward with Savage and Stanley driving forward. Once again the ball was spread wide and it was Dean again on hand to touch down.
The last score came from a lineout. The ball was secured fed through to skipper Beaumont who sent a miss pass to Lee Tonks who gathered the ball beautifully and split the defence in half before off loading to Mackintosh to score his second. Borough tried their utmost and credit to them for their contribution in what was a hard fought game.
With Eastbourne being thrashed by Hove Dover now move back to pole
position on a far superior goal difference, a position they now need
to hold as their own.
Graham Tonks commented; ‘We did ourselves justice today in difficult
conditions. Our set pieces were better as were our phases of play and
the tries were excellent. Gus Surrendorf was excellent today, bearing
in mind he’s only been with us for two training nights. He will
play a big part in our success and the lads will learn from him. He
gives us greater options and fills a void that has been causing us
real difficulties. I look forward to Ashford on the 16th on the Vice
Presidents day that has all the ingredients of being a local derby
not to be missed. We are back on top and the boys need to keep working
hard to maintain the lead. ’.
Team; Lucas, Savage, Stanley, Lacey, Tonks D, Matcham, Collins, Surrendorf,
Murray, Beaumont Martyn, Tonks L, Close, Beaumont Mark, Mackintosh,
Dean, Hewer, Robinson, Tonk G.
Posted on 30th November 2006
