Sidcup 1st XV (22) v (20) Dover 1st XV
Played 17th March 2007
After last weeks disappointment Dover needed a contest in order to
blow the cobwebs away. This ‘friendly’ turned out to be
a hard fought match as like their previous encounter in the Kent Cup
some weeks previous. Although both teams were missing a number of first
choice players it was a game played by the two teams in the right spirit.
Dover kicked against the wind in the first half and were put under
intense pressure for the first 10 minutes against a much bigger outfit
up front. The Sharks withstood the pressure and battled well and got
themselves up field with some excellent work. Dover took the lead after
28 minutes when Trigger Davison on Sidcup’s 22 and he powered
through several tackles to touch down under the posts. Ben Sedgwick
converted. Sidcup responded well and again Dover had their backs to
the wall and on 34 minutes they equalled the score with a well worked
move by their forwards. Dover’s defence had been fantastic throughout
with the ever reliable Ed Close holding up the rear. A penalty in the
last minute of the half saw Sidcup take the lead; however the advantage
was Dover’s in the second half. Danny Robinson was forced to
leave the field through injury with Davison moving to lock.
Dover’s response was immediate and they were awarded 3 penalties
in quick succession. The first Sedgwick converted but a player was
adjudged to have been in front of the kicker and the kick was disallowed.
On the third kick he equalled the score. The game was now on and it
was a physical affair between two sides intent on winning. Sidcup took
the lead following a break on the right flank. Once again play returned
to the Sidcup end. A few minutes later Chris Lucas took hold of a stray
kick 35 metres from the Sidcup touchline. He passed to Ricky Mackintosh
who released Buster Collins on the flank and an inside pass to Jamie
Townley saw him sprint the distance to touch down.
Changes were made and the influential Gus Surendorf was forced to leave
the field with hooker Kirk Savage and prop Greg Hewer moving to open-side
and 8 and Shane Moore replacing Savage up-front. Credit must be given
to all because the pack didn’t relent and they continued to cause
problems for the rest of the game. Dover took the lead on the 63rd
minute. Sedgwick chipped over the top and Sidcup clumsily allowed the
ball to remain in play allowing the kicker to follow up and touch down.
Unfortunately the conversion was missed.
Sidcup rallied and again placed Dover under the cosh and in the closing
minute of the half they were awarded a penalty try and the conversion
secured the game.
Coach Graham Tonks was delighted with the effort shown against a team
who head London 3 and are virtually assured of promotion. ‘ My
team were excellent today and they played as a unit and not as individuals.
The discipline and attitude was better and we again asked questions
of a quality side who have shown us the benchmark of what we can expect
next year’.
Team: Lucas, Savage, Stanley, Robinson, Tonks D, Collins, Davison,
Surendorff, Murray, Sedgwick, Tonks l, Townley, Mackintosh, Tolman,
Close, Wallace, Moore, Hewer.
Dover play at Ashford next week in a league fixture. Kick off 1500 hours.
Reported by Richard Collins
