Dover 1st XV (29) v (3) Chobham 1st XV
Played 7th February 2009
Dover will be delighted with a second consecutive victory at Crabble with another prominent performance against a Chobham side who have sat at the top end of the table throughout the season.
Both teams were suffering from numerous absences and a lack of training, owing to the weather of the past week, but on this display there cannot be any argument as to the victory. Dover welcomed the return of forward Ben Vick, a mini and youth player at the club, before moving onwards and to the West Country some years ago. His recent signing will be a huge benefit to the squad and his ball carrying and physical presence will provide further options for the coaching team to consider.
Dover started well with a score after only two minutes. Full back Stuart Dean secured the ball in the Dover half and set the ruck. Outside half Martyn Beaumont kicked a perfect cross field kick for the unmarked winger Ricky Mackintosh to catch and run some 55 metres, waltzing round one defender, to touch down. 
(Photo by Igor )
Beaumont slotted a superb conversion. As often happens in similar scenarios, Dover struggled for some 20 minutes or so and were unable to capitalise on the start.
(Photo by Igor )
Dover squandered possession on numerous occasions by basic handling mistakes, which did little to help their cause. Although the ground was sticky, the playing conditions were good and Crabble had held up quite well in the circumstances. Chobham kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit and their pressure continued. 
(Photo by Igor )
Chobham's fly half was thoughtful in his kicking and Dover were plugged back deep in their own half. The home sides defenders were tackling with tenacity and Lee Tonks lead the way with one superb crunching tackle. Several penalties were awarded in Dover's favour and the pressure was relieved. Dover increased their lead on the 27th minute that started from a Chobham lineout. 
(Photo by Igor )
Jack Tomlinson was sniping in the line and won possession. The ball was spread from left to right with Tonks taking the crash ball. From the resulting ruck the ball went wide with Dean joining the line and offloading to Mackintosh. Beaumont was in support to collect and score a well worked try. 
(Photo Igor)
Chobham continued to pressurise the hosts and territory wise they might have done better. 
(Photo by Ian Shilson )
They had a number of well worked moves and their three quarter line at times looked extremely impressive. Dover's third score came four minutes before the interval. Mackintosh took possession in his own half and a chip forward saw him crunch Chobham's scrum half with a mighty hit and collecting the loose ball. The ball was fed to the left and outside centre Jamie Townley showed a sweet dummy and found a gap to score, with the extras added. Dover conceded a number of penalties before the interval and several kicks from the visitors were missed.
(Photo by Igor )
The second half started with Dover missing two golden opportunities to score in the opening minutes. One dropped ball on the try line and an overlap not taken gave Chobham the opportunity to take a deep breath and try and get back into the game. The second half was at times scrappy with Dover being penalised on a number of occasions and two players, Lee and Dale Tonks were both given ten minutes for offside infringements. Dover however held firm and readjusted and the visitors were unable to break through the resilient defence. Dover's forwards were again excellent particularly in the breakdown contest. Young prop Aaron Cooper made his league debut replacing Chris Lucas who had a particularly impressive game.
(Photo by Igor )
The back row of Jon Foster, Gus Surendorff and Dale Tonks shone throughout and their efforts were a major contribution in this game. Hooker Jack Tomlinson took two scrums against the head and again the lineout was more than favourable. With the platform in place Dover's backs produced some excellent lines of running, often thwarted by Chobham's solid defence. The pressure finally mounted and Dover were awarded a penalty. 
(Photo by Igor )
Ben Murray took the quick tap in the visitors 22 and Jamie Townley was in support to score his second.
(Photo Ian Shilson)
The last try came from a scrum (one of the two against the head) with Blair Charge (replacement for Beaumont) feeding Jamie Phillips on the wing to race 35 metres and score another well taken try. 
(Photo Ian Shilson)
Senior Coach Graham Tonks was delighted with his team's performance and commented 'This was another convincing display against a good and well organised side that have had some noticeable victories this season. My forwards were excellent today and the platform that they created allowed the backs to score some great tries. There are however areas that we need to work on and we must make every effort to prepare ourselves for the home game against Cobham next weekend, a team that put us to the sword at our last meeting'.
Team; Lucas( Cooper), Tomlinson, Moore, Sluman, Robinson (Vick), Surendorff, Foster, Tonks D, Murray, Beaumont ( Charge), Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Phillips, Dean.
Report by: Richard Collins
Photos by Igor Kupco (as annotated)
(All Prints available for all Igor Photos contact him directly on 07731787485)
Photos by Ian Shilson (as annotated)
