Deal and Betteshanger (24) v (37) Dover 1st XV
Dover bounced back from last week’s disappointment with a solid performance against the league leaders Deal and Betts and they have now moved into fourth place in the league. It was an important game for Dover to win and once again the team can take credit for an effective and efficient performance against a very good side that never admits defeat until the final whistle is blown. The contest was no different from the games of the past with the rivalry fierce both on the pitch and on the side line. A good crowd turned out for the game and on the whole most would agree that Dover deserved the two points on the day.
Dover started well with the slight slope in their advantage. The early
play came to nothing and Tom Best kicked a penalty for the Lions. Martyn
Beaumont levelled the score on 12 minutes from a penalty and he kicked
second minutes later. Dover’s discipline was excellent in the
first half with the hosts penalty count mounting against them. Dover’s
forwards kept the ball tight in the mauls and the game plan was working
in their favour. The Sharks increased the lead on 21 minutes. From
a lineout the ball was fed to centre Jamie Townley who pierced the
defence and Trigger Davison was in support to break several tackles
and power his way for 20 metres to touch down with the conversion to
follow.
Dover increased the pressure but was met with a resolute defence.
The Lions were soon back in the game when a kick was charged down 35
metres from Dover’s line. The ball was fed along the line to
former Dover youth player Luke Armstrong to touch down. The encounter
was a tense affair but Dover still had more in their armoury. Gus Surendorff
and back row partner Buster Collins were immense and full back Ed Close
was his calm and composed self with some exquisite play both in defence
and attack. The next try was a beauty and started from a scrum with
the ball being picked up at the base with scrum half Ben Murray giving
quick feed to Beaumont who supplied winger Ben Sedgwick to score a
superb try in the bottom left corner.
The second half saw Dover again on the ascendancy with the forwards
dictating play in the loose. Dale Tonks and Danny Robinson worked tirelessly
in the engine room with Chris Lucas, Kirk Savage and Greg Hewer (on
for the injured Rick Stanley) more than holding their own up front.
Dover further increased their lead when Davison scored his second breaking
from the back of the scrum and with the assistance of a Lions tackle
he was able to power over the line to touch down with Beaumont converting.
The first two yellow cards were shown minutes later following a hand
bag scenario between Arthur Evans, another former Dover apprentice
and Collins. The Lions were soon back in contention scoring their second
driving over from a 5 metre lineout with Best converting. Dover dug
deep and their forwards pick and drive was working well and the pressure
back on the Lions. The flying winger Ricky Mackintosh was the next
on the sheet following the packs great work and from some super hands
from the threes for another fine touch down. Some of the home supporters,
mainly the pensioner brigade, were somewhat anxious at the proceedings
and two further sin binnings of Matthew Michaels and Steve Donnelly
didn’t quite meet their expectations. The killer try was again
clinical with quick hands across the threes with Lee Tonks supplying
Jamie Townley a super ball to touch down unfortunately receiving an
injury to his face whilst scoring. It was at this point that Deal and
Betts produced some of their best rugby with only13 men on the park.
Dover seemed to lose their focus and following some intense pressure
the Lions were awarded a penalty try which was again converted. The
fresh legs of Paul Cairns and Dan James were brought on and the Sharks
remained steadfast until the end. The league is totally open with any
one of a number of teams in contention and there being so little difference
between them. Dover travel to Aylesford next week for the next round
of the EDF Cup and Dover can again expect a huge challenge from the
Bulls.
Team; Lucas, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Davison,
Surendorff, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Sedgwick, Mackintosh,
Close, Hewer, Cairns, James.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
back to 1st XV Home Page
