Dover U17s (21) v (0) Westcombepark U17s
Played 23rd November 2008
A Dover team missing 8 players welcomed a Well drilled Westcombe park outfit
to a very soggy crabble on sunday and despite the conditions and absentees
confidence was high after dismantling a lacklustre Beccehamians side the previous
week. Both teams started quickly as they each sought to get the upper hand
but conditions were attrocious and both teams' endeavour was often stunted
due to handling errors forced by the weather. Dover were excellent in defence
as they looked to avenge the 63-0 defeat they suffered at parks' hands last
season with man of the match Jamie 'Trevor' Goodbun and Nathan Annakie to the
fore with numerous thunderous tackles. As the first half wore on it became
more and more of a midfield arm wrestle until 5 mins from the break when Park
were awarded a penalty for an infringement at the ruck. Park found a good touch
on the dover 5 metre line and after winning the resulting lineout spread the
ball wide. Yarrow and Wheeler were excellent in defense in midfield but park
recycled quickly and thier giant 2nd row drove over for the only score of the
first half from a matter of inches.
Dover started the 2nd period brightly with a number of penetrating drives from
Critcher, Rix and Hayden annakie causing the visitors all sorts of problems.
Park were defending fiercely and always looked to attack when they got the
ball but the all action flank combination of Coughlan and Ward were excellent
in stiffling them. Dover were next to score after excellent forward play led
to a penalty 5 metres from the park line, quick thinking scrum half Jones tapped
quickly and dived over but was adjudged to have scored with a double movement
so it was ruled out.
This close shave seemed to galvanise Park who began to play the conditions
well and kept dover pinned back in their own 22 for long periods. With the
wind, slope, and rain against them dover showed tremendous heart and passion
to deny park a score, at one stage defending thier line constantly for 15 minutes
without a breach. Eventually though park did cross dover's line in the corner
after good work from thier giant 2nd row allowed their winger to squeeze in
the corner. Dover again rallied and threatened the Park line on a couple of
occassions but real chances were few and far between for both sides as the
weather took its toll. Park scored a final try with only a couple of minutes
remaining after a clearance attempt was charged down leaving park with a simple
run in try.
Dover showed tremendous spirit in this game and should hold their heads high
for a creditable performance in such torrid conditions against a very well
drilled side. Though they deserved to win the 21-0 score flattered park and
it would be interesting to see if the result is the same when conditions are
more favourable to dover's running game when the sides meet later in the season.
Team: Critcher, Goodbun, Bradley, Annakie, Ward, Annakie, Coughlan (C), Rix,
Jones, Beresford, Keane, Yarrow, Wheeler, Hewer, Sean, Clarke, Merrit, Richard.
Report by: Daniel Gill
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