Ashford 1st XV (3) v (58) Dover 1st XV
Played 31st March 2007
Dover returned to their winning ways with a comprehensive victory
against a young and spirited Ashford team. The Dover team and supporters
were pleased to see ex-first team player Jamie Devlin on the line in
support of the Sharks. Jamie returned to the UK this week following
a six month tour of duty with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan. A strong
cross wind created some difficulty for both sides but it wasn’t
long before the visitors cut loose, scoring a total of 10 tries with
Ben Sedgwick kicking 4 conversions. The rout started after only 7 minutes
when Dover nicked a lineout and spread the ball wide for Ed Close to
join the line and touch down. Ashford responded and within 2 minutes
kicked a penalty to narrow the gap. Dover from hereon took charge and
the rugby at times was a delight to watch. The forwards took control
up front with hooker Kirk Savage striking well.The three-quarters pace
and power was too much for the hosts to handle. Tries followed from
Jamie Townley, Jeremy Walmesley, Buster Collins and Ricky Mackintosh
and at the half way stage Dover were cruising.
The second half was played in a similar vain to the first. Lee Tonks
had been sin binned just before the break for a minor indiscretion,
however Dover were able to contain the hosts during his absence. Townley
was replaced by Stuart Dean owing to a nasty head injury and Shane
Moore came on for Chris Lucas and both men kept the momentum going.
Ben Murray marshalled the forwards well and he provided quick ball
to Sedgwick who made acres of space for the supporting players to carve
inroads through the fragile Ashford defence. Tonks and Adam Wallace
lines of running were superb and the interaction between all the players
was of the highest quality with some supreme ball handling skills on
display. Walmesley bagged two further tries to cap his fine day and
Mackintosh scored his second. Trigger Davison appeared in place of
Collins and the pressure continued. Danny Robinson and Dale ‘bullet’ Tonks
scrummaged and battled well and stand in skipper Rick Stanley should
be proud of his efforts in a well disciplined and controlled game.
The final try was scored by the effervescent Gus Surendorff whose presence
has been of a huge benefit to his younger peers since he returned home
from Iraq. Thanks must also go to the referee Mr Webb whose control
of the game is worthy of mention.
Coach Graham Tonks was delighted ‘This was a challenge to my
outfit today and it was important to play well. We made plenty of space,
created the gaps and the support play was excellent’.
Team; Lucas, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Walmesley, Surendorff, Murray, Sedgwick, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Wallace, Close, Moore, Dean, Davison.
Reported by Richard Collins
