Beccehamiens (0) v (41) Dover 1st XV
Played 21st February 2009
Dover progressed to the next round of the Kent Cup with a win against London 4 side Beccehamiens. The score line would seem to suggest that this was a more than comfortable victory, however for the fist 60 minutes of the game that was far from the case.
This venue has always proved a difficult hunting ground for Dover in their previous meetings and the home side, although not having a good league campaign, provided a strong resistance to the visitors. Dover started well when Jack Tomlinson scored the opening try within the first minutes of the game and Martyn Beaumont slotted the conversion superbly.
Beccs came back defiantly and for the remainder of the half Dover struggled to sustain any momentum in their play. The host’s front row caused some real difficulty and their open side worked continuously throughout. Dover potted a penalty and Beaumont added to his tally with a breakaway try.
At the interval a few harsh words were exchanged and a number of changes made. Once again Beccs battled bravely and their young left winger made a number of dangerous runs. Dover eventually got to grips with their business and in the last quarter scored four excellent tries with some scintillating rugby, courtesy of Rocky Murray, Ben Sedgwick, Ricky Stanley and Mick O’Donnell, with three conversions added.
The highlight of the afternoon was to see Dover’s Coach Graham Tonks taking to the field, for the first time in a number of years, for the last 10 minutes of the game. Old habits were still apparent when he was penalised within minutes for hands in the ruck, nothing knew there! He enjoyed the comeback with his ‘boys’ and to cap his day, just prior to the final whistle, he slotted a conversion, from all of 40 metres! No doubt the zimmer frame will be used to good effect for the next few days.
Dover return to league action next week with a difficult contest against Sidcup.
Team; Moore (Stanley), Tomlinson, Cooper, Tonks D, Surendorff, Savage (Tonks G), Collins, Vick, Murray, Beaumont (Dean), Tonks L, O’Donnell, Phillips, Sedgwick, Charge.
Report by: Richard Collins
Photos by Ian Shilson (as annotated)
