Dover 1st XV (5) v (0) Gravesend 1st XV
Played 26th January 2008
Dover’s young guns underlined their London South East 3 credentials
by recording a tense 5 – 0 victory against league leaders Gravesend.
This was a crunch fixture and the result crucial to both sides. Gravesend
termed the contest as their biggest in a decade and they were extremely
well supported on the touch line. Thankfully the local clan that followed
the Sharks was massive and there were in total some 300 plus at Crabble
to watch two good sides battling against each other in what can only
be described as one of the hardest fought contests in many years – and
free entry to boot!
Prior to the game Gravesend were fully in control at the top of the
league by three clear points. A win today would have undoubtedly given
the title to the visitors, whose confidence and consistency has been
unquestionable for much of the season and Dover’s preparation
had to be right. A repeat of last week was unthinkable and one must
give credit to the manner in which this game was played and ultimately
won.
The opening ten minutes of the first half proved a difficult time for
the hosts with Gravesend pressuring and looking dangerous in the three
quarters. 
There were a few awkward moments for Dover but there determination
was focussed. Pack leader Ricky Stanley controlled his forwards well
and it wasn’t long before they applied pressure up front with
there scrummaging and loose play providing the platform to release
the backs. That pressure remained intact for the entire game and proved
to the decisive factor in the result. 
The front five were superb with
Stanley, Kirk Savage and Shane Moore causing their opposition havoc
and the ‘donkey workers’ Trigger Davison and Dan Robinson
should be pleased with their individual efforts as they pounded the
opposition.
Gravesend were being pushed back and Dover took two scrums against
the head in the first half. The visitors 8 was forever on the back
foot and as soon as he or his two counterparts tried to break the game
line they had Dover’s back row of Gus Surendorff, Jon Foster
and Buster Collins all over them like a rash. Their contribution to
the game was colossal. 
The backs battle was a lot closer and in the first half Gravesend broke
wide on several occasions and they might have done better with a few
gaps and holes appearing in Dover’s line. Dover’s defence
however was on the whole excellent with wingers Ricky Mackintosh and
Jamie Phillips and the ‘quiet man at the back’ Ed Close
rock solid. Gravesend’s outside half missed a penalty and the
half was to end without a single point being scored.
The second half again started well for Gravesend who were awarded two
quick penalties. Dover weathered the storm and the intensity of the
tackling in the midfield was enormous. Dover’s centre partnership
of Lee Tonks and Jamie Townley were putting in some massive hits as
were their opposite numbers who had played equally well throughout.
One ex first team captain on the line commented that the defence on
display from both teams was as good as he had ever witnessed in all
his years at the club. Dover missed two difficult penalty chances and
it was questionable as to whether the stalemate would be broken. One
break from Gravesend looked a certain try and Dover managed to curtail
the charge and they were then on the counter. Greg Hewer appeared for
the injured Moore and he too was strong up front. There were a number
of basic errors by both sides which could be blamed on the intensity
of the game.
There appeared to be no way that the deadlock would be broken unless
there was a piece of magic. 
That took place after 72 minutes. Dover’s
forwards were camped deep into Gravesend’s half. After several
phases of play inside half Ben Murray, who had also had a fine game,
provided Martyn Beaumont with quick ball. 
Beaumont looped twice with
Tonks and Close moving from right to left across the park and with
a large gap opened in the Gravesend armoury Beaumont raced over the
line to touch down. Dover had managed to breach what seemed to be an
impenetrable gap with a fantastic try. The home supporters were ecstatic
and their presence was warmly felt by the home side.
The next 14 minutes
of play seemed to be an entirety but Dover managed to hang on and claim
the win against an excellent team who fought to the last. Gravesend
had the better of the chances and had failed to take their opportunities.
The league is now again in the balance and Dover must continue their
hard work for the remainder of the season taking one game at a time.
This was a hard and well fought contest and referee Mr Oliver should
be thanked for his contribution in his management of the game.
Team - Moore, Savage, Stanley, Davison, Robinson, Collins, Foster, Surendorff, Murray, Beaumont, Tonks, Townley, Phillips, Close, Hewer, Odell, May.
Dover face Essex side Rochford Hundred in the 6th round of the EDF
Senior Vase at Crabble on Saturday – kick off at 1400 hours.
The club would again urge their supporters to cheer the team on.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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