Dover 2nd XV (29) v (6) Westcombe Park 3rd XV
Played 29th November 2008
The onset of winter has brought a severe soaking to the Crabble turf. Once a lush field of grass, it quickly became a muddy battlefield on Saturday. 'Combe, a national league club, brought a strong squad of 18 down to Dover with the intention of taking 4 points home. Dover never let up in this game though and battled hard for the full eighty minutes in the thick mud. Conditions dictated and this match was never going to be one for the rugby purists.
Dover welcomed back the iconic Michael Marsh to their team, and he effectively won the game for Dover with a nineteen point kicking haul. He even helped out in defence this week much to his team mates' delight. Wayne Matcham and fellow OAP Hewer brought grunt up front, and James Cattermole had a great scrummaging game alongside solid loose play. Darryl Meredith also returned at 7, his steel and aggression spurred the pack on all game. Danny Russell and John Howard also had great games on Invicta league debuts, combining to make a robust and mobile second row.
Moment of the match belonged to Dan Burr and James Morton. Having received a reverse flick from Denning, Morton straightened and drew the defence in before releasing the rapid Burr into a gap. Burr sped past two 'Combe defenders and scored under the posts. Stu Dean added another score shortly after, sprinting away from 75 yards - a fine show of stamina.
'Combe were worthy opposition but lost their composure and the referee. The return fixture promises to be a tough tough game.
Dover: Dean, Morton (Plews), Burr, Landman, Mercer, Marsh, Denning, Cattermole (Cooper), Gaughran, Stanley, Russell, Howard, Hewer (Chambers), Meredith, Matcham.
Report by: Charlie Denning
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