Dover 1st XV (28) v (14)Old Colfeians
Played 20th September 2008

Dover recorded a well earned but tense victory against Old Colf’s in a day that was filled with a variety of emotions and most spectators present would agree that this fair but bruising encounter provided everything that makes this game so entertaining.
C’s arrived late for the start owing to traffic but were the early pace setters with some excellent handling and Dover were initially on the back foot.

The defence, as a whole, continued on from last week and a try scoring opportunity was missed by C’s, which would have given them an early advantage. Dover responded and a move up field was halted with Dover losing Lee Tonks and Ben Sedgwick after only 8 minutes from that particular passage of play.

Blair Charge moved to fly half, with back –row forwards Jon Foster and Adam Wallace moving to the back line. Dover re-adjusted and held tight and after 18 minutes Jamie Phillips swooped on a mistake from C’s midfield and fed Jamie Townley to sprint 35 metres for a breakaway try.

From the re-start Dale Tonks collected the ball and set the maul. Buster Collins appeared with ball from nowhere unchallenged and ran 30 metres before chipping over the full back with Ricky Mackintosh in support to collect and touch down in the right hand corner.

The play flowed from one end to another with some superb defending from both sides. Dover increased their lead from a penalty by Charge and the response from C’s was immediate. Jamie Phillips was fantastic in defence but unfortunately in the process received an injury to his neck that not only interrupted play for some time but required two ambulances before being transferred to hospital some time later. The veteran Lee ‘Shrek’ Bowditch appeared for his second outing this season with young back-row forward Sam McNamara moving to the wing .The signs were now even more ominous for the hosts, although to be fair C’s also had their injury worries.
The game was moved to the second XV pitch and the score line remained the same until the interval.

The second half initially saw Dover in the driving seat with a delightful try being scored with swift hands across the three quarters to Mackintosh who sprinted the distance to touch down. With a commanding lead Dover tended to sit back and let the play come to them, which gave the visitors an opportunity to respond. Although the wall of blue had been immovable the pressure mounted and during a seven minute period C’s had scored two tries and converted both. With only a four point cushion and 15 minutes remaining Dover had to find the additional energy to ensure that the two points were not lost. The front row of Bowditch, Greg Hewer and Shane Moore supported by their donkeys, Chris Lucas and Danny Robinson worked tirelessly against an extremely well drilled Colfs pack. Dale Tonks had moved to blind side and he and his fellow flanker Chris Lacey were covering every piece of ground and skipper Collins was possibly the pick with a dominant role all afternoon.
Dover’s efforts were rewarded with a penalty with Ben Murray taking a quick tap and earning another that was slotted by Charge. C’s however refused to sit back and again returned to the Dover 22. A constant barrage from C’s was continually thwarted by some stubborn resistance and again there were some massive hits from Foster, Wallace, NcNamara and Townley. C’s were awarded a penalty and the lineout that followed on the 5 metre line was knocked on by C’s. Dover controlled the scrum and the ball was eventually kicked forward and with a slice of fortune the bounce favoured Dover with Mackintosh taking possession with Wallace in support to score a wonderful try under the posts with Dover’s only conversion to follow. This had been a valiant effort by every player in extremely difficult circumstances and this is another taste of what can be expected week on week in this league. The referee Miss Patrick should also be commended for her contribution to the game.
Jamie Phillips was subsequently released from hospital with severe bruising and the club wish him well in a speedy recovery.

Team: Lucas, Moore, Hewer, Robinson, Tonks D, Lacey, Foster, Collins, Murray, Sedgwick, Mackintosh Tonks L, Charge, Phillips, Townley, Bowditch, Wallace, McNamara.

Dover faces Sidcup away on Saturday kick off 1500 hours.
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