Gravesend 1st XV (22) v (16) Dover 1st XV
Played 5th September 2009
Dover travelled to Gravesend for the opening game of the season in the newly formed London South 1 League. Pre- season preparation had been good and debutants for the game were prop Dave Bartley, fly half Nick Ford and winger Justin Marx. The squad has grown steadily over the past 18 months and it is hoped that Dover can improve upon their success of last year.
The G’s are a well organised team and the contests of recent years have shown that there is little between the two sides. This game in fact turned out to be virtually a carbon copy of last years fixture at this venue, with the G’s again taking the 2 points. G’s had the better of the first half with the advantage of the wind and the slope and Dover were left making the running in the second half.
Dover will rue this missed opportunity and they can have no complaints in the score as the game was lost in the first 40 minutes. Unforced errors, indiscipline, missed tackles and some aimless kicking allowed the G’s to be on the front foot and Dover were left with a massive hill to climb in an effort to claw themselves back into the game.
Dover started well with the opening passages of play looking promising. Unfortunately G’s scored the opening try on their first attack, from a controversial forward pass, and from hereon they punished Dover with some conviction by capitalising on the numerous mistakes and errors and at half time they were 22 points ahead.
Dover had a fair amount of the ball but possession was easily lost on too many occasions and the G’s backs spread mayhem across the field as they were merciless in punishing Dover’s sloppy play.
Dover’s pack however were holding their own and Dave Bartley had a superb debut causing havoc up front against his opponent. Dover’s scrummaging was strong and apart from some loose lineout play the pack worked hard throughout the game.
Jack Tomlinson tackled and battled well and Buster Collins was prominent about the park.
The half time team talk was positive and a few changes were necessary in view of minor injuries. Dover started the half in a dominant fashion and it was the G’s who were forced to defend for the majority of the half. G’s were penalised constantly, particularly in the red zone and it was surprising that a card was not shown for the continued infringements.
Blair Charge kicked an early penalty and Dover were now on the score board. Mick O’Donnell’s run of injuries continued as he left the field shortly into the second half with a nasty injury to his arm.
The team were re-organised with several players playing out of position but Dover were on the ascendancy and they were further in front shortly after following a powerful run from Ricky Mackintosh.
Martyn Beaumont collected a loose ball and he scored with Charge adding the extras. 
Dover continued to push hard and Charge slotted a further 2 penalties and narrowly missed another by striking the post. In the closing minutes Dover continued to pressurise and in the last play of the game they were adjudged to have made a forward pass as they were in reach of possibly winning the game, leaving the visitors players dismayed by this decision. Both sets of supporters clapped the teams from the field of play acknowledging the efforts put in by all.
Senior Coach Graham Tonks commented ‘Gravesend punished our errors with some good tries and the opening half was quite frankly embarrassing. The second half was excellent but we had left ourselves in a position that I don’t want to see again. We move forward and I’m looking for an improvement against Maidstone next week’.
Team – Bartley, Tomlinson, Lucas, Sluman, Tonks D, Collins, Foster, Vick (Hewer), Murray, Ford (Marx), Tonks l, O’Donnell (Robinson), Mackintosh, Charge, Beaumont.
Photos By Ian Shilston
Report by: Richard Collins
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