Dover 1st XV (20) v (0) Bromley
Dover were again hugely impressive in a superb victory against third place Bromley. With Eastbourne narrowly beating Charlton Park, Dover and their Sussex rivals now have a 6 point cushion at the top of the table. This was a massive win for Dover against a young, resurgent and determined outfit, whose spirit and resolve never waned. The game was described by one of the Bromley coaches as being the best he had witnessed in terms of standard over the past two years. It was indeed a hard and ferocious battle played in the true spirit of the game and congratulations must be given to the referee whose contribution shouldn’t go unnoticed.
The first half saw Dover kicking up-field and it was a tense affair
throughout the first 40. Ben Sedgwick kicked a penalty in the opening
minutes and Dover anticipated a healthy score. The Sharks were to have
plenty of possession but play broke down on numerous occasions and
frustration began to creep through. Mark Beaumont left the field after
only 8 minutes when an accidental collision saw him depart the field
with a serious injury that cost him his two front teeth. Hooker Kirk
Savage took three scrums against the head and the line-outs were again
in Dover’s favour with Dale Tonks and Gus Surrendorf in control;
however the possession was wasted and basic errors and unnecessary
penalties cost Dover. There were some exciting passages of play and
Ben Murray was providing plenty of ball to the backs but the Sharks
for once lacked the clinical finish. Bromley’s defence was outstanding
and they capitalised on the errors and took the game back to Dover,
looking particularly dangerous on the counter attack. Some fine tackles
by Dover, in particular by Chris Lucas and Adam Wallace certainly prevented
the visitors from scoring. Bromley were also taking advantage of getting
to the breakdowns in numbers forcing Dover to make errors. Flankers
Jeremy Walmesley and Buster Collins were superb all afternoon, stealing
and turning over ball and generally causing a nuisance across the park.
The half finished and Coach Graham Tonks gave his team the benefit
of his experience and thankfully those individuals in need of the proverbial
nudge, listened and rose to the challenge.
On the 50th minute Dover probed a weakness when Jamie Townley kicked
the ball over the back division for Ed Close to collect and run the
20 metres to touch down. Sedgwick converted. This was the opening that
Dover had worked for and they were able to put the squeeze on Bromley,
whose test of character was now brought into question. Dover’s
confidence grew and the pack, as an 8, gelled and on 61 minutes the
Sharks won their lineout and drove 20 metres before the ball was spread
across the park to Ricky Mackintosh to power over and score the try
of the day. Straight from the kick off Dover exerted further pressure
with Bromley defending desperately. The ball carrying was superb with
number 8 Surrendorf exceptional.The hard working lock, Trigger Davison
was replaced by ‘H2O’ Dan Robinson and he again continued
his impressive form. On 72 minutes Rick Stanley’s pack took another
scrum against the head, 25 metres from the Bromley line. Murray fed
Townley who joined the line from the blind and a pop to Lee Tonks provided
the space for Tonks to sprint the distance and score a great try. Shane
Moore provided a fresh pair of legs up front and although Dover tried
their utmost to increase the score Bromley never tired and their defence
remained solid. The game concluded and those present had been highly
entertained.
Graham Tonks commented; ‘This was a massive game today and both
sides gave us an exhibition of rugby. My back-row forwards were the
difference and were instrumental in this victory. The first 40 was
disappointing but the second was fantastic. We must keep the momentum
going with hard work, discipline and a desire to achieve’.
Team; Lucas, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Davison, Collins, Walmesley, Surrendorf, Murray, Sedgwick, Tonks L, Townley, Beaumont, Mackintosh, Close, Moore, Robinson, Wallace.
Dover travel to Brighton next Satuday.
Reported by Richard Collins
