Brighton (5) v (54) Dover 1st XV
Played 24th February 2007
Dover’s day started dreadfully when their bus broke down and
11 players were stranded on the M20. Thanks to the efforts of Chairman
Richard Catt, coupled with a fantastic response from a Maidstone taxi
company the players and their driver Nellie Rankin were able to arrive
in time for a decent warm up. The difficulties were soon forgotten
on the park and Dover romped to another emphatic victory in a nine
try rout against a Brighton outfit who have struggled all season. The
Sharks asserted their influence from the start and on the 4th minute
from a lineout, 7 metres from Brighton’s line, Dover’s
pack drove forward and from a rolling maul Ricky Stanley touched down.
The following half hour was at times breathtaking and Brighton were
left demoralised from some stunning tries. The support play was excellent
as was the ball retention. Hooker Kirk Savage took two scrums against
the head and the penalty count was favourable to Dover. Trigger Davison
scored the second after a 40 metre gallop and on the 18th minute Martyn
Beaumont, back from injury, had a similar run to touch down under the
posts. Dover’s backs were running riot and picking out the holes
in Brighton’s defence. Ben Murray slotted a penalty to increase
the lead. Brighton responded with a counter attack only for the move
to break down, Ed Close collected and the ball was fed to Ricky Mackintosh
to sprint through and score. The home crowd must have been stunned
with the pace and clinical execution shown by the Sharks. Dover’s
pack were again firing on all cylinders. Young prop Shane Moore did
well, Dale Tonks and Danny Robinson were punching holes and working
manfully and Buster Collins was his usual abrasive self in both defence
and attack. Lee Tonks was the next on the sheet when he found a gap
from 15 metres following another successful scrum. Straight from kick
off Dover took the game back to the hosts and quick ball across the
park allowed Lee Tonks to sprint 50 metres to notch his second. The
influential and terrier like flanker Jeremy Walmsley took a knock late
in the half and was replaced by Chris Lacey, another welcome return
after a 6 week lay off. Credit must be given to Brighton who responded
well and were rewarded with a catch and drive - try from a lineout
shortly before the interval.
The second half was somewhat disappointing as Dover’s concentration
levels dropped and indiscipline crept in and undoubtedly cost the Sharks
a number of points. In a game already won Dover’s game plan was
to support each other and off-load without contact. Unfortunately the
coaches directions were not fully adhered to and some players chose
the more difficult option. On a positive note three further tries were
scored and the defence was superb. Martyn Beaumont scored his second
on 44 minutes, following a combination of fine play between Jamie Townley
and Murray. For the next 10 minutes Brighton worked well and were unlucky
not to gain more territory. The penalty count was against Dover this
half and the momentum was being lost. The Sharks dug deep and took
the game back to the home side and won a penalty on Brighton’s
5 metre line. Dover opted for the scrum, Collins took the ball off
the back and Davison was on hand in support to grab his second in the
corner. Once again Brighton re-grouped and Savage was binned for being
in an offside position. Dover’s response was as expected and
from a scrum the ball was spread to Adam Wallace to feed Mackintosh
to sprint away for his brace. More problems developed when Davison
was binned and for a while the Sharks were down to 13. Adam Tolman
appeared, following a short holiday with Folkestone and Chris Lucas
came on for the last 20. Brighton buckled down and did their utmost
to capitalise and Dover showed their true spirit with some desperate
tackling and Brighton would consider themselves unlucky not to have
scored a second try. Dover finished the game and together with Eastbourne
still shares a 6 point lead. Only 3 of the 9 tries were converted and
the consistency of the place kicking is a problem that Dover needs
to address in the coming months
Graham Tonks was delighted ‘The boys were fantastic particularly
in the first half; it was a true team performance today. The discipline
second half was not good enough. I would ask for a strong gathering
of support at home to Dartford next week , we are on the verge of achieving
something special at this club’.
Team – Moore, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Walmsley,
Davison, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Wallace, Close,
Lucas, Lacey, Tolman.
Reported by Richard Collins
