Dover 2nd XV (36) v (15) Thanet 2nd XV
Played 25th October 2008
A strong Dover 2nd XV made this fixture hard work on Saturday and were unable to find the fluidity of the previous week. Thanet fought very hard and never gave up, testing the Dover defence to the last minute. Dover started woefully, with Denning and Matcham responsible for a first minute calamity and try for Thanet.
Dover tried a new three-quarter combination with Landman, Marx and Couglan lining up together for the first time. An impressive Plews won selection through his hard work and good form, and the ubiquitous Morton also returned from injury. Their efforts in defence were enormous and they smashed back waves of Thanet sttackers. Craig May also scythed down Thanet attackers with his own brand of all or nothing tackling.
The Dover scrum was unshakable all afternoon and the heavyweight presence of Gill, Stanley and Hayes ensured 1st phase possession was solid the entire game. It was their forward colleague Gaughran who will take the plaudits, however following his blistering 50 yard break to score in the first half.
At the end of the afternoon Dover had won easily, but the nature of the victory was disappointing. Dover misfired in parts of the game, and solutions must be sought in training this week. 'The more you sweat in training - the less you bleed in battle.'
Tries: Matcham, Coughlan, Landman, Sluman, Gaughran, May. Conv: Hayward 3
Dover: Dean, Plews, Landman, Coughlan, Morton, Marx, Denning, Hayes, Gaughran, Stanley (Cooper), Sluman, Gill, Matcham, May, Hayward.
Report by: Charlie Denning
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