Dover 1st XV (12) V (17) Tunbridge Wells 1st XV
Played 4th October 2008
A minutes silence was observed prior to kick off as a mark of respect to Derek (JD) Thomas, who died last week at the age of 88. His personality, support and his vast knowledge of the game will be sadly missed by all at the club following his 62 year association with Dover RFC.
Dover didn’t get the victory that they hoped for, however the performance
and attitude was a massive improvement on the events of last week and I am
sure that most persons present would agree that Dover deserved a little more
on the day.
The first half conditions favoured the visitors although Dover started with
some confidence. The Wells were the first to open the scoring, against
the run of play, following an interception in the middle of the park which
lead
to a try with the conversion to follow. Dover responded positively and
on 20 minutes Gus Surrendorf set up a ruck that was fed left through a
number
of
hands with winger Ben Sedgwick on hand to touch down in the corner for
a well worked try. The conversion was narrowly missed. Dover had a superb
opportunity
to edge past sometime later when following a knock on by Wells in their
22, Buster Collins took possession of the ball with a golden opportunity
with
players
in support, only for the official to prematurely blow without any advantage
being gained. Wells came back into the game and they took the lead with
a well taken penalty from nearly 40 metres out. Dover’s defence had held strong
with some superb tackling. The Wells had played some fine attacking rugby and
had the better share of possession in the first 45.
The conditions of the second half favoured Dover and in essence they territorially
dominated proceedings for much of the remainder of the game. Both sides
appeared to be well matched against each other and there was always going
to be little
to separate them at the close. Dover’s scrummage worked well and there
were some useful passages of play from both sides. Young Sam McNamara had an
exceptional game at blindside and he continues to shine week on week. Dover
took a deserved lead when the ball was released from the base of the scrum
to Ben Murray to feed Ricky Mackintosh who sprinted some 40 metres before passing
inside to Jon Foster to touch down with Martyn Beaumont slotting the conversion.
It was at this point that Dover had the advantage; although they did not heed
the warning from Wells who always looked dangerous in attack. The Wells left
winger was provided with an overlap on the 66th minute and he ran the distance
and although a number of the hosts defenders were available he managed to score
for what was a crucial try at a decisive moment. Dover finished strongly and
Beaumont was rightly adjudged to have had his foot in touch before touching
down, which would have at least drawn the game. The home side will rightly
be disappointed that they were unable to make the best of their possession
and Wells can be delighted with their 2 points. Both teams played in good spirit
in at times difficult conditions and they should be complimented on some outstanding
defensive qualities.
This was a huge improvement against a side that drew with Sidcup recently
and this should give the team the confidence to travel to Cobham next
week.
Team: Lucas, Foster, Moore, Tonks D, Robinson, McNamara, Collins, Surrendorff,
Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Sedgwick, Hewer, Lacey, Charge.
Report by: Richard Collins
back to 1st XV Home Page
