Dover 1st XV (46) v (8) Beckenham 1st XV
Played 28th March 2009
Dover’s dominance in this game confirmed their position as 5th in London 2 South by posting a comprehensive victory against Beckenham. There was an abundance of skill and scintillating rugby on view and the home side should be pleased with this result, particularly following their acute hangover from last weekend.
Dover threatened from the outset and even though the visitors had the advantage of the slope in the first half they failed to penetrate allowing Dover to dominate proceedings. 
Ben Sedgwick was the first to score following a superb move across the field with the scorer rounding two players to touch down. 
Blair Charge secured the extras. 
Beckenham responded with a penalty to reduce the deficit before Martyn Beaumont scored a ‘forwards try’ after the hosts had penetrated from deep with the ball being fed through numerous hands before setting up the ruck on the Beckenham try line. On the counter attack Dover sliced huge holes in Beckenham’s defence and possibly more points should have followed from the possession gained. 
However there were some discipline issues for the home side to contemplate after the game and Dover’s tackling was on the whole below par; thus allowing the visitors to make headway and create unnecessary pressure. Charge kicked a further penalty before the interval to give Dover a useful lead.
The half time team talk discussed Dover’s shortcomings and the need for a more clinical finish from the possession gained.
The second half started with a greater vigour and within minutes Dover increased the lead when Beaumont’s almost pinpoint cross field kick enabled Sedgwick to juggle before securing the ball and touching down.
Dover were enjoying themselves and were firmly in front and although Beckenham’s response was physical and positive the game was now beyond them. Dover were using the ball to good effect and they scored again following some superb use of the ball from backs and forwards alike and Lee Tonks was on hand to touch down, with the conversion added. Dover’s pack didn’t have it all their own way against a meaty opponent but the front five held dug deep and held their own with the back row controlling their area of the game. Beckenham had their best 20 minutes from hereon and their hefty and mobile prop was the pick of their team making some useful runs with Dover’s defence uncharacteristically struggling by tackling far too high and allowing the visitors to make yards. Their efforts were rewarded when Dover failed to clean up from a lineout won against the head and Beckenham took their opportunity and scored a well deserved try. The penalty count against Dover was increasing; however they held their ground and cleared their lines with some stubborn defence.
The last 15 minutes of the game belonged to Dover with some excellent rugby. Ricky Mackintosh scored his first having collected a ball near the half way line and a little chip over the top followed by a deft kick forward saw him outpace his opposite number and touch down although a blatant trip, that surprisingly went unpunished, threatened to prevent the try. Dover’s discipline was constantly penalised in contrast to the visitors, which was questionable in view of Dover’s overall domination of the game and was subject of debate over a beer afterwards. Ben Murray and Jack Tomlinson both received injuries and had to leave the field with changes necessary for the key positions of hooker and inside half. Dover battled on regardless and continued to pressurise and Ricky Stanley 
was next on the score sheet following some excellent forward play and handling with Sedgwick and Buster Collins playing their part in the score. Charge converted. Dover finished their tally when the hardworking ‘donkey’ Dave Sluman
ran a good 20 metres through a fragile defence to touch down for a great try and the conversion followed. 
Senior Coach Graham Tonks was pleased with the result and commented ‘We have again showed how we can play and there was some brilliant rugby here today against a difficult and physical opponent. The lads have again proved how far they have come in a short distance and the game at Gravesend next week should be a real test of character’.
Team; Moore, Tomlinson (Hewer), Stanley, Sluman, Surendorff, Collins, Foster, Tonks D, Murray (McNamara), Tonks L (Townley), Mackintosh, Phillips, Sedgwick, Charge.,
Report by: Richard Collins
Pictures by:Ian Shilson
