Cobham 1st XV (17) v (21) Dover 1st XV
Played 10th October 2009
Dover travelled to Surrey with some apprehension and with the knowledge that they faced an opponent whom they classed as the best team that they faced last season. Further changes from last week’s contest were quite rightly made and the team needed to be on top of the game if they were to come away with anything.
The opening 20 minutes saw Dover under pressure loosing 6 line-outs, 1 scrum against the head and 3 penalties. Dover were very lucky to be only 5 points down which was from a well worked try from the hosts after 2nd phase ball. The ball was passed through the hands of the Cobham back line to the wing with the conversion missed.
Cobham created more chances but were unable to penetrate the Dover defence, with the third new centre pairing, in as many weeks, of Ben Sedgwick and Justin Marx impenetrable.
The back row of Ben Vick , Gus Surendorff and Buster Collins had to work overtime to negate the wave of attacks that Cobham threw at them. Dover weathered the storm and finally got to grips with the pace of the game and they started to put some good phases of play together. The Dover pack were making good ground with Greg Hewer, Collins and Jack Tomlinson leading the way and this pressure lead to Dover first score with the ball spread wide to Mark Beaumont who finished a fine move. 
Nick Ford added the extra’s 7-5 to Dover and with only a minute to go before half time. Cobham applied more pressure through their large forwards and after the pick and go near the Dover line the inevitable happened when the Cobham number 8 powered over for a good forwards try with the extra’s added. The referee whistled for half time and Dover could consider themselves lucky not to be further behind.
The second half saw Dover with new vigour and determination and they put Cobham to the sword, with good line-out play and they were holding their own in the scrum department against a much heavier set of forwards. 
Within the first 10 minutes Dover forwards were able to give the back line some good ball which created some entertaining back play with Ricky Mackintosh and Ford making some excellent runs, which lead to the 2nd try for Dover and the first for Nick Ford who also added the extra’s - 14-12 Dover.
From the receiving kick-off Dover were back on the attack and in Cobham’s 22, but for some excellent scrambling defence which kept the score line down. The first 20 minutes was all Dover with their line-out now functioning well and the visitors were getting to the breakdown first in numbers. Further pressure was applied on the Cobham line and after a number of phases full back Ford appeared from nowhere to take a pass between the centres and score under the posts and also adding the extra’s.
Cobham wasn’t going to let Dover have all the fun and with 15 minute left on the clock there was some excellent forward play passing the ball out of contact and integrating with the back line and the centre broke through a chocolate arm to have a free run to the try line. Fortunately for Dover he scored out wide and the conversion was missed. 21-17 Dover.
The final ten minutes was all Cobham applying the pressure with line-out and scrums near the Dover line. Dover’s defence were putting themselves on the line and Captain Martyn Beaumont left the field having been knocked unconscious. Dover had one last attempt at the Cobham line from a scrum. The ball was won and scrum half Ben Murray, who had another excellent game, chose to kick the ball out and the referee blew the final whistle.
This was an excellent performance and credit must be given to Dover who showed heart and determination to come away with the points.
Team; Bartley, Tomlinson, Hewer (Stanley), Tonks, Blowers, Surendorff, Collins, Vick (Sluman), Murray, Beaumont Martyn, Beaumont Mark, Marx (Close), Sedgwick, Mackintosh, Ford.
Photos By Ian Shilston
Report by: Graham Tonks
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