Dover 2nd XV (31) v (8) Folkestone
Played at Sittingbourne 17th March 2007
Dover travelled to Sittingbourne on Saturday to play in the final
of the East Kent Plate against Folkestone in an attempt to bring back
home the first piece of silver wear of the season.
The game started very evenly, with most of the play on the half way
line. Both sides made many handling errors in the first half which
broke up the play of what looked to be a very free flowing, competitive
game. Folkestone looked up to the challenge and with good support
from the sidelines they began too look like the better team, especially
when they opened the scoring with a penalty kick. After going behind
Dover started to look more clinical in everything they did, which
lead
to them scoring an excellent try. Stuart Dean attacked purposely
from full back and when faced with two defenders he put a clever
chip over
the top for Rix and Toleman to chase. Showing excellent pace Toleman
pounced on the ball to make the score 5-3 to Dover. The score remained
like this until half time when Captain Price gave his team a pep
talk to encourage and spur them on. This seemed to work as they
came out
in the second half looking the better side, putting a lot of pressure
on the Folkestone defence, especially through the forwards. The runs
of Hewer and Gill made gaps in the defence and the quick ruck ball
of Liddon, Landman and Jacobs put Folkestone on the back foot. The
pressure finally turned into points for Dover. John Howard picked
up from the back of a scrum and drove solidly into the heart of
the defence,
breaking the tackle of their centres, he carried on towards the line
but was caught by a good covering tackle from their full back, but
good support from Dean allowed Howard to pass out of the tackle and
Dean to run the ball in for 5 more points.10-3 Dover.
Folkestone came back extremely well and showed great spirit and heart.
Their young, lively centre Tom Johnson made a good break, sidestepping
two Dover defenders and showing good pace made ground before making
a good pass to the supporting winger to finish off a good move.10-8
Dover.
This gave Dover the wake up call that they needed and helped them
to raise their game. This was soon apparent when a quick tap penalty
from
Denning on the Folkestone 22m line lead to a try. The ball was passed
along the back line to Price who threw a clinical final ball to the
flying Blair on the wing who out muscled two to score an important
try. Marsh converted from the touch line to make it 17-8.
Dover carried this momentum on through the rest of the game. Good
possession through the forwards May and Foster kept Dover in control
and then
the backs made ground with every move. This finally led to a fourth
try. Howard picked up from the back of a ruck from just inside the
Folkestone half and powered his way through the defence and showing
good pace finished well for a well deserved try. Marsh converted
to make the score 24-8.
With 15 minutes to go Dover bought on some fresh legs to see them
home. This saw the return of manager Cairns after a four month
lay off following
shoulder surgery.
Dover looked to finish off the game on a high and were determined
to score again. After good work from the forwards in the scrum to
turn
the ball over, Howard drove on from the back of the scrum and set
up the ball for another phase. Charge passed well to Price who again
threaded
threw a pin point pass to Blair who raced over for his second try
of the game. Marsh converted and the referee ended the game with
the final
score at 31-8 to Dover.
The whole squad has put in a massive effort so far this year and
this win is testament to that, but with two league games to go
the second
team is looking to secure a double this season and take the league
title as well.
Next week Dover play away at Ash, kick off 2:30.
Reported by Paul Cairns
