Dover
2nd XV (30) v (23) Sidcup 2nd XV
Played 20th September 2008
The first away game of the season took the 2nd XV to far-flung Sidcup, a club of similar standing to Dover. The 2nd XV sent a strong team, with captain Matcham continuing his impact role from the bench. A change to the game preparation saw the 2’s attack the first half with great determination.
Attacking up the slight hill and into a bright sun, Dover defended well against the highly organised Sidcup XV. Sidcup kicked for position frequently, choosing not to run at the determined Dover defence which was marshalled effectively by the muscular Holdsworth. It was a great kick from the Sidcup no10 that led to a Dover lineout 5 metres out. Sidcup stole the ball and drove over to score.
Mike Marsh kicked two penalties for Dover and Sidcup kicked one, making the score 8-5 at halftime. For the third consecutive game this season, the 2’s were down at half time.
Using the hill and the sun, Dover started well to the second half. Five minutes in and from five metres out, Denning sniped down the blindside to score and put Dover ahead. Confidence started to build in the Dover team, and the game started to break up. Tom Landman scored a beauty from his own half ten minutes later, beating 3 players to run in under the posts. Then Dale Mercer matched Landman’s feat with another brilliant try, again beating many Sidcup players.
Marsh kicked the conversions and Dover were 30-18 up. A late Sidcup rally saw them score a consolation try, but Dover held on for the win.
Captain Matcham was elated: ”That was one of the best performances I’ve seen from a Dover 2nd XV side,” adding “ but we’ll need to keep this standard up for the weeks to come.”
Team: Coughlin, Morton (Burr), Marx, Holdsworth, Mercer, Marsh, Denning, Cattermole, Gaughran, Gill, Cherrington (Matcham), Sluman, Chambers, Meredith (Landman), Haywood.
Report by: Charlie Denning
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