Dover 1st XV (19) v (8) Eastbourne
Played 1st March 2008
Dover returned to league action this weekend following their disappointment
in the EDF Senior Vase last week. Dover managed to dig out a victory
against a determined Eastbourne side, although the game was not a classic
by any standards. Dover were fully aware of the potential of the visitors
in light of the numerous encounters in recent years. With a cross wind
blowing Dover had the advantage in the first half and as early in the
first minute they should have been 7 points in the lead when a simple
pass on the overlap to Ricky Mackintosh was sadly lost. This seemed
to be the start of an error strewn affair that in parts showed some
excellent passages of play but on the whole was a scrappy and tense
80 minutes with the hosts finding difficulty in blowing last weeks
cobwebs away. Dover’s only score in the first half came in the
tenth minute. It was a fine try with the ball spread quickly from left
to right and then returned infield with 
Mackintosh taking the pop to
power his way under the posts. Martyn Beaumont converted. 
Dover
took control of the game and remained camped in the Blue and Gold’s
half for much of the half, however their defence was strong and Dover’s
frustration was starting to set in. Dover
were unnecessarily forcing the play which created mistakes and disrupted
their game plan. On
a positive note Ricky Stanley’s pack was again showing its strength,
particularly in their scrummaging technique and they looked certain
to score from a five metre scrum but to the amazement of most persons
present they were penalised for apparently standing up in the front
row? Just after the half hour Eastbourne made good ground up field
and were awarded a penalty that their hooker struck firmly to reduce
the deficit. Eastbourne finished the half only 4 points behind and
with the advantage of the wind in the second half Dover needed to regroup
and maintain possession of the ball to ensure a much needed victory.
In fact Dover took the ‘bull by the horns’ and they won
the game in the opening 15 minutes of the restart when the pack immediately
drove up field in a number of phases and on the 44th minute they were
awarded a penalty. From the resulting lineout the pack won their ball
and drove their rolling maul 20 metres forwards with flanker Jon Foster
touching down. Dover’s pressure continued and the backs then
took the applause for the third try. From a winning scrum centre Lee
Tonks received the ball and fed a perfect pass for Beaumont to exploit
a massive gap and score an excellent try with the extras added. Unfortunately
and within a few minutes Dover lost their way a little and following
an error Eastbourne were back in the game with an unconverted try.
The
game became a stop start affair and tempers became heated and some
inconsistent officiating certainly did not help the fluidity and management
of the game for either team. At one point Eastbourne’s number
5 punched his opposite number with a ‘right hander’ that
Ricky Hatton would have been proud of and he received a yellow? 
Although
I have no desire to see players dismissed for a moment of madness there
doesn’t seem to be a corporate understanding amongst referees
throughout the various levels of this great game. Eastbourne kicked
deep and to good effect and Dover had to work hard to prevent them
from scoring. Several good scoring opportunities were thankfully missed
and Dover should take credit for their efforts in this hard and physical
confrontation. The game was marred five minutes before time when pack
leader Ricky Stanley sustained a serious injury, breaking his ankle
in 3 places plus a dislocation, in a freak accident whilst tackling
a player. We all wish ‘Staggars’, one of the characters
of the club, well in his recovery in the months to follow. Dover did
force the game back to the opponents half with some excellent running
from Ben Sedgwick and youngster James Odell, who had replaced the injured
Beaumont. 
Buster Collins, who had assumed the captaincy role, was given
10 minutes following a request to the referee. The game petered out
with Dover hanging on to their deserved lead and they will be happy
with the two points generated. They still remain in second spot behind
Gravesend who had another comfortable win. Dover travel to Lordswood
next week for another huge contest – kick off 1500 hours.
Team; Moore, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Foster, Surendorff, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Phillips, Sedgwick, Odell, Hewer, Finn.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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