Aylesford Bulls (20)
v (27) Dover
Played on 17th Novemeber 2007
Dover won this EDF Senior Vase game against a much changed Bull’s team to the one they beat in the opening league game of the season. For 60 minutes Dover controlled the game and were cruising to victory until a catalogue of injuries struck which saw the Bulls make a determined fight back leaving the Sharks to fight for their lives.
The first half started with a number of errors being made by the visitors.
A penalty kick was missed by the Bulls and Dover took advantage from
thereon. The defence was excellent and the Sharks smaller pack were
creating all sorts of difficulty against their heavier opponents. 
Ricky
Mackintosh continued his fine run of form when he collected a kick
from the Bulls inside half 15 metres inside his own half. 
Mackintosh
ran the 65 metres through a wall of red and blue without one tackle
being made and touching down for a simple score. Martyn Beaumont converted
easily. Dover increased the lead further which started from a superb
break by Trigger Davison. Dover were awarded a penalty and Beaumont
continued his fine run with the boot by striking it beautifully. Straight
from the kick off Dover allowed Aylesford back into the game and from
a quick tap from a free kick the Bulls scored a relatively easy try.
Dover didn’t panic and they continued to play the better rugby.
On the 23rd minute Ben Murray broke blind with Gus Surendorff in support
making some 60 metres up field. From the resulting scrum Beaumont fed
winger Jamie Phillips who cut a great line and a clever backward pass
to Beaumont saw the latter touch down under the posts and also convert
the score. 
The Bulls had their share of possession but the tackling
by the Sharks was impressive and Dover’s counter attack looked
promising. Beaumont converted another penalty before half time and
the Sharks were in a great position at the interval.
The second half should have been much easier with the slight slope
to Dover’s advantage. However the play was scrappy and Aylesford’s
response was positive scoring a penalty early on to close the gap.
Davison was the first to leave the field with an injury and Lee Tonks
was in difficulty shortly afterwards also being forced off. Charlie
Denning made his first outing of the season at 9 with Murray dropping
to centre. Thankfully Dover dug deep and they had a piece of fortune
when Beaumont chipped forward and the awkward bounce gave the Bulls
full back little chance with Beaumont collecting the ball to touch
down and again convert. A little niggle set in and Dan Robinson and
a Bulls player were binned for handbags. The Bulls also suffered a
number of injuries and the game was taking its toll on both sides.
Buster Collins followed shortly with the visitors now being devoid
of both flankers. Props Shane Moore and Greg Hewer filled the holes
and the next 15 minutes saw the Bulls make a valiant fight back scoring
two well worked tries. Ed Close had soldiered on with an injury however
he was unable to fully continue and with no subs left the last minutes
of the game seemed to last a life time. Dover’s defence was breached
with numerous tackles missed and they hung on to grim death and secured
in the end, a very narrow victory. The game certainly wasn’t
perfection but it was a win and against a team who have played some
excellent rugby in recent weeks. The passion and commitment was tremendous
and Jamie Phillips should be delighted with a faultless performance
in his first full outing with the senior side.
Team; Moore, Savage, Stanley, Robinson, Tonks D, Collins, Davison, Surendorff, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Sedgwick, Mackintosh, Phillips, Close, Hewer, Lucas, Denning.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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