Dover Ladies XV (17) v (17) Beccahamians Ladies XV
Played 2nd November 2008
Dover ladies were at home against Beccahamians on Sunday and true to
form the wind and the rain came just as the match kicked off.
Beccahamians were better prepared for the cold and it took Dover 20
minutes to warm up and look like a rugby team, but not before the visitors
could run in 2 tries, 1 converted.
The next 20 saw Dover camped in the opponents half and the forwards
eventually rumbled over for a try, with strong work from Ellen Sharman
and Lynne Frackleton allowing Denise Russell to claim the points. Julie
coles converted.
It was Coles too that added the next points with her own try, again
after some good work by the pack.
The backs, who were turning blue thanks to a forwards dominated game,
finally got some ball and produced some good rugby to get Dover close
to the line on several occasions, but conditions forced errors which
the visitors used to their advantage, kicking the ball back upfield
from whence it had come.
Going downhill Dover looked by far the more threatening team, and with
10 minutes to go Naomi Reene saw a gap, the defender blinked, and she
was cantering off down the wing, taking the full back for pace on the
outside. Support was arriving in the shape of Daisy Plews, but a well
timed cover tackle forced Reene into touch before she could get the
pass away.
The lineout was won and the forwards drove play further infield. Scrum
half Natalie Clarke marshalled them towards the line, and a pick and
go saw her burst through a gap to score under the posts to put dover
in the lead17 - 12.
It looked like Dover had clinched it, but weary legs meant that the
visiting no. 8 was able to burst through the mid field defence, wrong
- foot the full back and score in the last minutes to scrape a draw.
Dover ladies remain top of the table and travel to East Grinstead on 23rd November.
Report by: Jo Gordan
Photos by: Igor Kupco for Prints call him on 07731787485
More photos by Igor in the Gallery
