Beckenham 2nd XV (29) v (33) Dover 2nd XV
Played 19th October 2008
Another long trip into suburbia for the 2nd XV last weekend to face
last year’s Invicta league champions Beckenham. Bolstered by
the inclusion of Charge and Sedgewick into the back division, Dover
had a strong line up with skipper Matcham on the bench.
Chambers stood in as captain and the game got under way with Dover
playing into the wind and up the hill. The wind played havoc with Dover’s
gameplans and the first half was marred by many simple errors. Beckenham
chose to kick for position and used the wind cleverly to post a 29-12
halftime lead.
The second half proved a completely different matter. The Dover pack
dominated, rumbling down the hill menacingly. Haywood, Gill, Stanley
and Sluman punched holes in a weakening defence - every hit denting
and demoralizing Beckenham. They knew it would be tough up the hill.
Confidence swept threw the Dover side. Dale Mercer ran in two tries
to seal a thrilling hat trick and all of a sudden Dover were only three
points down.
The seemingly impossible was happening and it was Haywood that nailed
the coffin shut. Breaking from their own half Denning, Dean and Coughlan
combined to send Haywood clear. As he sprinted away, the Dover team
watched with breaths held seeing a winger quickly closing him down.
With a little shimmy, Haywood brushed aside his late challenge and
ran in beneath the posts.
Charge converted and Dover held on for a breathtaking win.
Dover: Dean, Coughlan, Burr, Sedgewick, Mercer, Charge, Denning, Cooper
(May), Gaughran, Stanley (Cattarmole), Gill, Sluman, Chambers (Matcham),
Landman, Haywood.
Report by: Jo Gordon
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