Dover 1st XV (45) v (3) Maidstone 1st XV
Played 18th April 2009
Dover completed their first season in London 2 South, with a comfortable victory against Maidstone and therefore finishing in an impressive 5th position. The conditions were ripe for an expansive game, unfortunately that wasn’t to be the case and the crowd were left to witness a stop start affair which effectively ruined the fluidity of the contest.
Maidstone started well and capitalised on a number of errors and they kicked a well deserved penalty after 14 minutes. Dover’s response was pretty rapid when following a number of phases of play by the forwards the ball was spread from left to right with left winger Ben Sedgwick coming off his position to create the extra man and scoring a well worked try. 
Blair Charge added the extras. From hereon Dover took control of proceedings and despite Maidstone gaining some territorial advantage they rarely looked threatening. The second try was scored on 20 minutes. Buster Collins won the ball in the lineout and passed to Jon Foster who found Jamie Phillips taking a good line before offloading to Mick O’Donnell
to dance his way through the visitors defence
for his first league try with the conversion to follow. Dover’s forwards were having to work hard and the front three of Aaron Cooper, Jack Tomlinson and Shane Moore, 
with an average age of only 20, were immense. The third try came from a scrum that Dover turned over on the halfway line. Foster broke blind and popped to Ricky Mackintosh who powered his way up the line before passing inside to the influential Ben Murray 
to cross and the conversion was added. 
Martyn Beaumont finished the half with an individual try running from the halfway line and piercing the defence in customary style. Charge slotted the conversion beautifully.
The second half was somewhat disappointing for the home supporters who were of the opinion that the floodgates would open. Although the game was won the play was constantly held up frustrating both camps. 
Beaumont scored his second on the 56th minute shortly before him and Ricky Mackintosh were shown a yellow card at the same time after a minor spat. Dover was forced to battle for 10 minutes with 13 men and the Stones were unable to penetrate. Mackintosh returned to the fold and was soon on the score sheet when he was fed by Murray on the blind to race 30 metres. The last try came from an over ambitious pass from Maidstone which was intercepted by Jamie Phillips to sprint 70 metres and touch down with Charge completing his good work for the day. This was a just finish for Phillips, who has excelled into a super young player over the past two seasons. He is likely to join the British Army during the next few months and he will be a major loss to the club. All at Crabble wish Jamie well in his future career.
As the 1st XV Manager I would like to congratulate the squad of player’s, the coaching and physio staff for their efforts in what has been a marvellous season for us. We have proved that we can compete with the best in this league and the signings of Ben Vick, Mick O’Donnell and Jack Tomlinson during the season has further enhanced the talent already at the club and it is hoped that further recruiting will take place. As a mark of our success Martyn Beaumont, Buster Collins, Jack Tomlinson, Shane Moore,Ricky Mackintosh and Dale Tonks have been selected into the senior Kent squad of 30, for the forthcoming county fixtures.
On behalf of the team I would like to thank our team and individual sponsors for their continued support and generosity and of course our faithful supporters. We trust we have provided you with some worthy entertainment over the past 8 months.
Team; Moore, Tomlinson, Cooper, Tonks D, Sluman, Collins, Foster (Hewer), McNamara (Vick), Murray, Beaumont, Phillips, O’Donnell, Sedgwick (Coughlan), Mackintosh, Charge.
Report by: Richard Collins
Pictures by:Ian Shilson
