Dover 1st XV (27) v (0) Hove1st XV
Played at Dover 13/01/2007
Dover produced another superb performance against 3rd place Hove and
with Charlton Park losing the Sharks share a four point lead with Eastbourne
at the top of London 4. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend why
so many local sports enthusiasts do not take the opportunity to watch
this group of young men, who bring credit to the town, free of charge
and share the improving facilities, courtesy of the legendary ‘H’ Howard
Beardsell, for a drink or two afterwards in the bar. Apart from a handful
of players the whole of the squad are home grown lads, who have all
travelled through the junior ranks and the clubs success is due to
the huge effort that so many club members and parents have put in over
the last 15 years.
Hove had the advantage of the slope in the first half and exerted immense
pressure on Dover. Once again the defence was first class and the visitors
would pay the price for failing to turn the pressure into points. Dover
came more into the game in the second quarter and Martyn Beaumont kicked
a penalty after 23 minutes. For once Dover had the better of the line-outs
in the first half, with Dale Tonks and Gus Surrendorf stealing ball
and this again restricted Hove’s game. On the 39th minute Dover
produced several phases of excellent play, Shane Moore drove up field
and from the ruck the ball was spread across the field with Trigger
Davison on hand to crash over the line and touch down, which Beaumont
converted nicely. Seven minutes of injury time was played and Hove
responded with some venom. The defence was steadfast with Jamie Townley,
Lee Tonk and Mark Beaumont battering everything that came forward and
the hosts owed the success of the half to a great defensive effort.
The second half was a different story and provoked a relentless display
from the impressive Sharks. With only 3 minutes of the half played
Dover won their line-out ball and the pack drove the ten metres forward
for Buster Collins to touch down. The third try was scored soon after.
Winger Ricky Mackintosh took a high ball just inside the Dover half.
He ran a distance of 35 metres, fed Collins on the outside and Davison
took the inside pass to notch his brace for the day. Hove tried their
utmost to haul themselves back into the contest and they were becoming
increasingly frustrated at some of the decisions that they felt had
gone against them. Ricky Stanley’s pack were again superb all
afternoon and were well marshalled by Ben Murray who like hooker, Kirk
Savage was exceptional on the day. The final score came after 66 minutes.
From a ruck situation 25 metres from the Hove try line, a quick ball
was spread to Mackintosh who pierced a hole in the centre of the visitors
defence and scorched through to score a peach of a try, which was also
converted. The remaining minutes was a fairly even contest and Ed Close
was unlucky not to score after a superb run.
Coach Graham Tonks commented; ‘ This was an excellent performance
against one of the best sides in the league. My pack were fantastic
today, we attacked the fringes and it paid dividends, providing the
platform to cause the damage and score a great set of tries. We have
conceded only 3 points in our last 4 games which highlights the efforts
the boys are putting into their play’.
Team : Moore, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Davison, Collins, Walmsley,
Surrendorf, Murray, Beaumont Martyn, Tonks L, Townley, Beaumont Mark,
Mackintosh, Close, Lucas, Robinson, Wallace.
Dover meet Sidcup from London 3 in the Kent Cup at Crabble on Saturday – kick
off at 1400 hours.
Reported by Richard Collins
