Dover 4th XV (17) v (21) Deal/Betts 4ths XV
East Kent Cup on 25.11.06
The 4ths defence of their East Kent Cup crown didn’t quite go to plan having to play their home leg away from the Crabble ground at nearby Archers Court, with strong winds and a number of key players absent.
Deal/Betts kicked off after winning the toss and elected to play into the bright sunlight. Dover got off to a good start spending most of the first 15 minutes in their opponents half and were rewarded for their effort with a penalty, which fly-half Bowman converted with ease. The first try came Dover’s way, spurred on by their early lead, Dover’s pack secured good ball from rucks and mauls, and Sayers was over the line as soon as a gap appeared. Again Bowman added to the points with a conversion. Unfortunately Dover didn’t take advantage of the favourable wind and kicked ball into the hands off the Deal/Betts full-back who brought the score at the end of the first half to 10-5 with an unconverted try.
Dover made a couple of changes replacing Cluelow and Biggs (Jnr), with youngsters Aiken and Gaughran. Now at a disadvantage with the wind against them and the sun in their eyes, Dover were punished early in the second half by 2 back-to-back unconverted tries by Deal/Betts. Dover gave away another 3 points as Dover became unsettled and mistakes were made. Captain Hover tried to encourage a bit a enthusiasm in a very quiet Dover team and was rewarded with quick recycling and excellent handling from the backs to enable replacement Aiken to go over the line for his first senior try. Again Bowman added to the points with a conversion. Now only a point behind, Dover restarted with a penalty in their favour but it was Deal/Betts who had the final say with a penalty kick leaving Dover trailing by 4 points as they enter the second leg at Deal/Betts in a couple of weeks time.
Team: MILLS, COLE, TANNER, McADAM (Snr), CLUELOW, SAYERS,
HOVER (Capt), McADAM (Jnr), BIGGS, BOWMAN, DEAN, ATKINS,
SPEAKMAN, PRESCOTT, BIGGS (Jnr), GAUGHRAN, AIKEN
Reported by Richard Hover
