Dorking 1st XV (20) v (15) Dover 1st XV
Played 25th January 2009
Dover played their first game for five weeks and there was an abundance of cobwebs that needed to be blown away. This was always going to be a difficult contest against the high flying Dorking side but once again the visitors proved just how close they are to competing with the top teams in this league. 
The pitch itself had drained remarkably well following the rain of late and with the sun shining for once a good crowd witnessed a close encounter, reminiscent of their previous game at Crabble some months ago. In fact Dover have only themselves to blame for not coming away with a little more and poor tackling, some indecision and aimless kicking were the differences between the two teams. 
Dover started well with the advantage of the slope and Martyn Beaumont kicked a penalty after only 4 minutes on the clock. Dorking responded well and they capitalised on a Dover error gained possession with their three quarters opening up a huge gap, following some hopeless defence, to score a try and the conversion followed. 
The game ebbed and flowed with possession shared and after 19 minutes Buster Collins intercepted a pass deep in the hosts half to score a try under the posts which Beaumont converted.
The home side levelled the score with a penalty soon after. There had been a number of promising counter attacks from the Dover backs, particularly from winger Ricky Mackintosh that unfortunately came to nothing. Dover’s lineout was working extremely well and the forwards were proving more than a match for their opponents. 
The second half was played in similar fashion to the first and although there was some unnecessary skulduggery committed, the official Mr Beech showed a common sense approach which was pleasing. The first few minutes of the half was difficult for Dover but they weathered the storm and hit back meeting a continued good defence from Dorking. The hosts took the lead following a scrummage on Dover’s 22 and again missed tackles allowed Dorking to take their lead with a well taken try and the extras added, which proved decisive at the final whistle. Dover took the game back up hill and there were a number of useful passages of play from Dover but some of the distribution of the ball was poor and the hosts had obviously targeted the area of weakness. Dover scored the next try, which was undoubtedly the pick of the day with hooker
Jack Tomlinson driving up the left flank and following some excellent handling from a number of support players, inside half Ben Murray spread the ball wide with winger Ben Sedgwick taking possession and throwing a dummy to score and reduce the deficit. 
The conversion was narrowly missed. Dover maintained their momentum for a short while before Dorking applied further pressure leading to a number of penalties against the visitors with one being nicely slotted from 38 metres. Dover still had sufficient time to win the game, which was on a knife edge, but they were unable to close down Dorking and in the last few minutes they lost a number of set pieces and any hope of snatching a late equalising try were lost. Senior Coach Graham Tonks commented – ‘Although disappointed we can take many positives from this game. We competed well throughout, turned over a quantity of ball and we created a number of good opportunities against an extremely good side. I look forward to the next three games, which are all at home but we must work that little bit harder to win these narrow encounters. We meet league leaders Basingstoke next week, which will be another fine test for us’. 
Team -; Lucas, Tomlinson (Savage), Moore (Stanley), Sluman (Hayward), Robinson, Collins, Foster, Tonks D, Murray, Charge, Tonks L, Beaumont, Mackintosh, Sedgwick, Townley.
Photos By
Ian Shilson.
Report by:
Richard Collins
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