Ash (7) v (24) Dover 2nd XV
Played at Ash 24th March 2007
After last weeks plate final win against Folkestone, Dover turned
there attention to the league for their penultimate game of the season
against Ash. Going into the game Dover knew that a win would secure
the league for them and were determined not to slip up at this crucial
point of the season.
Ash started the game well and seemed up for the challenge, scoring
an early try after some poor discipline from the Dover back row in
the scrum gave Ash a good platform for their forwards from the resulting
penalty. After a good scrum Ash’s fly half hit a gap at pace
and scored a well earnt try, which he then converted to put Ash 7-0
up within 5 minutes.
Dover responded well to this with patient phases of play from the forwards
to put Dover well within the Ash half. The ball was taken on two phases
through the pack by Gill and Howard before being passed out to the
backs from Denning. Marsh combined well with Blair in mid field to
fix the two Ash centres before a simple offload from Charge gave Dean
an easy run in to bring Dover back into the game. Marsh converted from
out wide to level up the score.
The Sharks built on this with good defence in the backs to prevent
Ash’s danger man Harding from breaking the line and the pack
rucked well to secure the ball.
Dover was awarded a penalty after Ash killed the ball in the tackle
area, which Marsh kicked to touch on the home sides 22. From a well
worked lineout between Cairns and Jacobs Dover set up a drive, and
with Liddon and Cattermole marshalling, it was heading straight for
the Ash line. As the maul got close t the line the ball was worked
the back, to Foster who had the job of touching down for his second
try of the season. Marsh again converted from out wide to open up a
seven point lead going into half time.
After the break Ash hit Dover with some good phases of play but the
defensive line held strong and big tackles from Landman and Kamara
prevented any further scores.
Dover regained their composure, like in the first half, which lead
to their third try. Good powerful play from the pack in midfield sucked
in the Ash defence, which left Dover with an overlap. The ball was
passed out across the back line to James who ran in from the 22 and
managed to score under the posts to give Marsh an easy kick which he
made for 2 extra points. With the score now at 21-7, Price entered
the field for Blair which added an extra dynamic in attack with his
clever kicking game, which had Ash on the back foot for the rest of
the game. Dover was awarded a penalty on the 10 m line which Marsh
confidently converted. This made the score 24-7 and Dover were now
well in control.
The visitors saw off a few phases of play to keep the final score the
same.
With this win Dover 2nds won the league and kept their good league
form going which is now at 9 games unbeaten.
Next week Dover play Ashford at home in their last game of the season,
which kicks off is at 3 pm.
Dover 2nds: Cattermole, Cairns (C), Foster, Gill, Jacobs, Liddon, Howard,
Landman, Denning, Marsh, Blair, Charge, Kamara, James, Dean, Price
and Rix.
Reported by Paul Cairns
