Folkestone 2nd XV (6) v (14) Dover 2nd XV
Played 12/01/2008
Dover travelled to the Polo field looking to secure
2 more points against a young and powerful Folkestone outfit. With
a strong blustery
wind and sodden pitch it was always going to be a forward battle
with little chance for the Dover three quarters to show their flair.
Folkestone with the slope advantage and wind at their backs started well and took the lead after a constant spell of pressure led to Dover conceding a kickable penalty. Folkestone continued to attack but with a resolute Dover defence led by the back row of Finn, D Meredith and Burr smashing everything that moved the tide soon started to turn.
A Dover rolling maul was stopped illegally and the quick thinking Denning took a tap and fed the ball down the line for Beaumont to go over in the corner. The celebrations were to be short lived with the referee pulling play back for not going though the mark. With the element of surprise gone the ball was given to Marsh to level the scores with his first kick of the day. Beaumont was not to be denied for long, within 5 minutes of the re-start the ball was spread wide again. Beaumont showed his opposite number a clean pair of heals and Dover were 8-3 up.
Disappointingly with half time imminent Dover conceded another penalty to bring the scores back to 8-6.
The second half was dominated by Dover's forwards, they kept the ball tight and played intelligent rugby with the evergreen Bowditch picking and driving at every opportunity. Amazingly with all the procession and territory with 5 minutes left on the clock Dover had only managed to extend their lead by a solitary Marsh penalty to give a fragile 6 point lead. With the time ticking away the forwards rolled up their sleeves 1 more time and drove into the heart of the Folkestone 22. The inevitable penalty followed but the kick was missed and Folkestone were still within 1 score. Dover need not have worried as almost immediately Burr turned over Folkestone ball for the tenth time and Marsh sealed the win with a sweetly struck drop goal.
On a day when Dover struggled to show their normal handling skills they should be extremely happy with the result and defensive commitment shown with barely a tackle missed all game.
Folkestone with the slope advantage and wind at their backs started well and took the lead after a constant spell of pressure led to Dover conceding a kickable penalty. Folkestone continued to attack but with a resolute Dover defence led by the back row of Finn, D Meredith and Burr smashing everything that moved the tide soon started to turn.
A Dover rolling maul was stopped illegally and the quick thinking Denning took a tap and fed the ball down the line for Beaumont to go over in the corner. The celebrations were to be short lived with the referee pulling play back for not going though the mark. With the element of surprise gone the ball was given to Marsh to level the scores with his first kick of the day. Beaumont was not to be denied for long, within 5 minutes of the re-start the ball was spread wide again. Beaumont showed his opposite number a clean pair of heals and Dover were 8-3 up.
Disappointingly with half time imminent Dover conceded another penalty to bring the scores back to 8-6.
The second half was dominated by Dover's forwards, they kept the ball tight and played intelligent rugby with the evergreen Bowditch picking and driving at every opportunity. Amazingly with all the procession and territory with 5 minutes left on the clock Dover had only managed to extend their lead by a solitary Marsh penalty to give a fragile 6 point lead. With the time ticking away the forwards rolled up their sleeves 1 more time and drove into the heart of the Folkestone 22. The inevitable penalty followed but the kick was missed and Folkestone were still within 1 score. Dover need not have worried as almost immediately Burr turned over Folkestone ball for the tenth time and Marsh sealed the win with a sweetly struck drop goal.
On a day when Dover struggled to show their normal handling skills they should be extremely happy with the result and defensive commitment shown with barely a tackle missed all game.
Reported by Wayne Matcham
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