Dover 2nd XV (26) v Ash (5)
Played 18th November 2006
After Dover 2nds had a week off last week, they took to the field to face a large Ash side at Fortress Crabble.
Dover started the game brightly and kept Ash pinned in their own half with good tackling from the back row of May, Landman and Kimble. Ash found it hard to clear the ball and it was eventually turned over. Turning defence into attack quickly, Ash was forced to concede a penalty on their 22 line. Marsh confidently stepped up and posted the first points of the game. Dover returned the next kick off well and again pressured Ash’s 5m line. Once again to avoid conceding a try Ash were forced to kill the ball and concede a second penalty in quick succession. Marsh once again added the extras.
Dover kept up the high tempo and started playing as a whole team for the first time this season much to the spectators delight. Good service from the ever dependable Denning to the back line meant Dover could attack quickly and with the forwards lead by Wilkins getting to every breakdown quickly and in good numbers meant the ball was recycled well. Good moves from set plays through the backs tore Ash in half and only good last ditch tackling from the Ash fullback stopped Dover from scoring on several occasions.
The crowd could sense something was about to give and from a good forward platform set by Howard and Gill Denning fed the ball to the backs who executed a breathtaking move for Dean to add to his tally of tries for the season. Dover 11-0 up after 25 mins.
Ash raised there game slightly and managed to contain the rampant Dover team and see out the half without conceding any more points.
After some very positive words from Captain Price the home team took to the pitch once more to continue where they left off.
Marsh re-started the game with
an excellent drop kick which put the Ash forwards under enormous pressure. Landman
mopped up the spilt ball and made a charge for the line, before being
brought down by Ash’s best player on the day, their No. 8. Landman
popped the ball off the floor to a galloping Kimble who managed to
touch the ball down in the corner for a great start to the second half. Marsh
added the extra 2 points with an absolutely awesome kick from the touch
line to make the score 18-0.
Ash restarted the game with a bit more fire after conceding an early
try and were determined not to go home with nothing. Their forwards
made good strong runs but were stopped by huge tackles from Cattermole,
Denning, Wallace and Adams. Despite these massive hits Ash finally
got some reward. The pack recycled the ball well for 4 or 5 phases
before the monstrous Craig Harding came on a charge from 5 metres out,
almost Lomu like, to touch down to give the away side 5 well deserved
points.
Dover immediately replied with a well worked try from the backs to give Dean his second try of the game. Ash once again came back but good covering from new boy Blain and his contrasting figure Wilkins kept them out. Captain Price back to his familiar position of winger made some strong attacking runs knocking over several of the opposition with the trade mark shunt, before bringing himself and Blain off to give Morton and Blair 15 minutes.
Dover again attacked well and in the dying minutes the heavens opened to make the scrimmaging conditions very difficult. Despite this the home pack managed to drive Ash back, through Cattermole, in Man of the Match form, Cairns and Wilkins. This lead Ash to collapse the scrum and give Marsh an opportunity to round off an excellent kicking game, which he took comfortably.
The final whistle was blown and Dover
had won in very reassuring style.
This win will hopefully set Dover up for a good performance next week
against Faversham in the Kent Cup.
Reported by Paul Cairns
Posted 20/11/2006
