Deal & Betteshanger IV (15) v (15) Dover IV
Played 22/12/2007
Dover IV's were involved in a festive battle with their close neighbours
on a bright sunny day in Deal. The game was always tight and a draw was a just
result for both sides who fought hard for eighty minutes.
Deal possesed the weight and experience in the pack to control both the line
outs and scrums. Dover demonstrated sound defence to repel the territorial
advantage of the home side. Eventually Deal opened the scoring following a
long period of sustained pressure. Driving forward play and a missed tackle
allowing the Deal centre to go over for a try. Dover continued to be under
the cosh, however super handling from the backs allowed Gareth Speakman to
score in the corner. At half time the game was 5 V 5 but Deal had dominated
the half. The second half started in a similiar vein and it was no suprise
when Deal added a penalty following Dover infringements incurred by persistent
pressure. Deal then added a converted try thanks to further forward pressure
and a beautiful dummy by the outside half. Dover seemed to be out of the game,
but their superior fitness changed the game in the final quarter.Once gain
fine handling along the threequarters allowed fullback Stuart Dean to crash
over the line in the corner. It was now Dovers turn to camp on Deals line thanks
largely due to the driving play of Dave Pellet and Greg Hewer.Chances went
begging as white line fever set in but finally the Deal line was breached.
Fly half Paul Price picked up a loose ball from the base of the scrum, he stood
up his man to send Bowman into space who then slipped a pass to Mike Sampson
who accelerated over 20 metres and then slid over the line near the corner
flag. The difficult conversion was just missed and the game ended in a draw.
Report by: Chris Bowman
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