Dover
U13s (21) v (21) Whitstable U13s
Played
Sunday 7th December 2008
The ground at Crabble was very hard and conditions less than ideal for rugby on this bright if icy Sunday morning. Still waiting for the sun to thaw the pitches, Dover took to the field ready for action. However Dover again failed to switch on quickly enough and found themselves 0-7 down within the first 5 minutes. Nerves and a lack of confidence was getting the better of the young Dover sharks and it was Whitstable who looked the more awake and determined side throughout the first half. Another try was dully converted to bring the score to 0-14 in favour of the visitors at the break. Tough reassurance from the coaches at half time helped to fire the team up.
The second half looked to be more of the same and again in favour of the visitors. Whitstable broke the Dover defence and converted their third try. The score now at 0-21.
This was to at last be the catalyst for Dover to wake up! Good forwards play and resilient backs tackling helped turn the tide in favour of the sharks. Some great build up play with hard work at the rucks and mauls set the platform for a forwards drive; the reward for these sterling efforts was the first try of the day for Dover by Josh Glew converted by Allen. This was the turning point and confidence flowed through the young sharks side. The team gelled and further tries followed by Kallum Allen and Joe Cooper both converted by Allen. The last 5 minutes of the game saw Dover getting ever closer to scoring a winning try and Harry Moore came extremely close at the death right in the visitors corner, had it not been great last ditch defending by Whitstable which put Harry into touch, it would have sealed a great first win. We can take nothing away from the Dover team and the result of 21-21 at the final whistle was a welcomed score line, given the half time deficit.
Man of the match goes to the entire team who dug really deep and showed that they are starting to really get what is required to win matches. Much training is still needed and new players are welcome to train this Thursday between 18:15 - 20:00 at crabble
Team : Kallum Allen, Robin Jenkins, Matt Saunders, Josh Glew, Angus Killin, Joe Cooper, Kieron Hopper, Matt Ribbans, Harry Moore, Finley McMunn, Derren Russel, Fraser Shields,Tyler Walledge, Cory. (Jordan Annakie, George Smith - sick notes, Shamu - Mascot).
