Dover 3rd XV (8) v (12) Ashford 3rd XV
Played at Dover - Saturday 28th April 2007
This was the last game together for many of the lads in this Dover side, and it’s been a great pleasure over the last 13 years for Brian Burr and George Clark who have coached them to a level that holds them in good stead for their future playing career.
Dover took the lead from the beginning after an excellent move from the Ashford 22 which was run in by McNamarra. The line out contest was fierce with the home side continually pulling down the Dover jumpers throughout the game without caution from the referee. This saw the first half end with Dover 5 – 0 up going into the break.
The second half saw Ashfords larger and more seasoned players use the rolling maul to good affect with one such maul resulting in a try, bringing the scores level. Dover applied great pressure to the Ashford line, whose resilient defense resorted to killing the ball and fringing which could have resorted in a penalty try. Dover were awarded a penalty that allowed Porter to convert and return Dover to a 8 – 5 lead.
Dover’s excitement and effort found the emotions of their last game together get the better of them, with several handling errors at crucial times denying them several possible scores. The hard ground took it’s toll but the players stood their ground. In the dying minutes Ashford collected a lineout, and following a quick ruck their No8 crossed the Dover line to score a converted try moving the score to 12 – 8 in favour of Ashford.
Dover did not give up and drove on again, only to knock on before spreading it wide, this game a scrum to Ashford, who successfully took the heel and kicked to touch to end the game. This was a great final day for the lads and we look forward to seeing those who can back playing when university etc allows.
Reported by RJC
