Dover 1st XV (25) v Rochford Hundred (20)
Played 2nd February 2008
Dover managed to reach the quarter finals of the EDF Senior Vase following
a close fought contest with the Essex side. 
The
game was about two contrasting halves with Dover’s dominance
overwhelming in the first 40 minutes. From the kick off Dover were
pressurising Rochford.
A dropped pass in the first minute might have seen points on the board
and a relatively easy penalty kick was missed shortly after. 
Dover’s
pack continued their pattern of success with strength and power providing
the platform to release the backs. The first score came after 10 minutes.
Hooker Kirk Savage stole a ball deep in the Rochford half and, from
the ruck openside flanker Jon Foster was released and an inside pass
to Ricky Mackintosh saw him burst over to touch down. Martyn Beaumont
converted. The pressure continued and Dover were fully in control of
proceedings. The visitors were on the back foot but were resilient
in their defence and Dover failed to take advantage of their possession.
One fine move came to nothing when there was an overlap and opportunities
were going begging. Beaumont kicked a penalty after 25 minutes to increase
the lead. Discipline was good but basic mistakes were making matters
difficult. Another penalty opportunity was missed by Dover and with
only five minutes of the half remaining questions were being asked
about the number of points on the board. The fluidity of Dover’s
play was a little off its normal course and the second half was beckoning.
Thankfully the hosts scored their second try from a lineout won by
Trigger Davison. The ball was spread across the backs and full back
Ed Close joined the line and punctured the Rochford defence to score.
Direct
from the kick off Dan Robinson collected the ball and set up the ruck.
Quick ball passed from right to left with winger Ben Sedgwick
being the last in the queue to run 30 metres to score the try of the
day.
The latter two conversions were missed. 
With
a 20 point cushion the 200 home supporters were convinced that the
game was won. The opening
five minutes of the half again saw Dover working well and making ground;
however the next 25 minutes saw the roles reversed from the first half.
A spirited Rochford resurgence caused Dover all sorts of difficulties
and totally unsettled their performance. The rot set in when Dan Robinson
and his opposite number were sin binned for handbags and within two
minutes Ed Close was binned for not retiring 10 metres for a penalty.
Rochford pressurised and following some sloppy defence the visitors
scored and the conversion followed. The second try came from a move
in the middle of the park with the ball kicked forward and the try
was secured after the last remaining defender was in all sorts of problems.
The conversion followed. Dover were struggling to hold on and Rochford
were nearing to pulling the carpet from under their feet. A further
penalty was kicked by the Rochford outside half and there was now only
a 3 point gap between the two teams. There was a lack of confidence
and organisation and for some unknown reason Dover were having difficulty
in absorbing the pressure. In recent weeks that had been their strength.
Thankfully with the return of their two players and some harsh words
from the coaching staff Dover responded in typical fashion. 
Ben Murray
had one good break making ground into Rochford’s 22 and Dover
were unlucky not to finish. 
The winning try started from a strong charge
up field, first by Ricky Stanley and followed on by Buster Collins
and after several phases of play Beaumont broke from the ruck and Ricky
Mackintosh was on hand to score his brace. 
The conversion was missed.
Direct from the kick off Dover failed to secure the ball and a penalty
soon followed and with 6 minutes of injury time remaining Rochford
kicked the 3 points leaving only a fragile 5 point lead. Dover weathered
the storm and were pinned on Rochford’s 5 metre line when the
final whistle was blown.
Coach Graham Tonks criticism of his team was constructive ‘We
have had some extremely difficult games since Christmas and I am delighted
in where we sit in both the league and in this competition. We became
complacent today thinking the game was won. We allowed Rochford to
score two tries but we were two men down at the time. Some of my players
had a bad day and we should have been more clinical in killing the
game earlier. We need to learn from this and I look forward to the
challenge of Old Mid Whitgiftians at Crabble next week’.
Team; Moore, Savage, Stanley, Tonks, Robinson, Collins, Foster, Davison, Murray, Beaumont, Phillips, Townley, Sedgwick, Mackintosh, Close, Hewer, Lucas, May, Odell.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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