Dover 1st XV (50) v (7)
Old Mid Whitgiftians
Played 9th February 2008
Dover continued their winning ways courtesy of a free flowing 50 -7
victory over Mids. The game was just over 1 minute old when the first
try was scored. 
A scrum was awarded in Dover’s favour 25 metres
from Mids line. Number 8 Trigger Davison picked up at the base broke
on the blind and fed Ben Murray who released full back Ed Close who
with the help of a super swivel managed to touch down. On 7 minutes
the second try came from a lineout won by Dover. 
An overhead pass by
flanker Jon Foster was collected and the ball was passed from left
to right with the flying winger Ricky Mackintosh touching down. 
Mids
responded and the outside half hoofed a ball high with the ball being
dropped deep in Dover’s 22 and the loose ball was a perfect present
and 7 points were unfortunately lost. Dover rallied and their authority
was never really stretched much after this point. 
The third try came
after 21 minutes when Mids failed to reach touch. The ball was fed
to Davison who broke the line in one of his robust sorties before releasing
Mackintosh for his brace under the posts.
Martyn Beaumont added the
extras. Dover’s pack again provided the necessary platform for
their backs with the front five of Shane Moore, Kirk Savage, Greg Hewer,
Dan Robinson and Dale Tonks being solid and compact and the back row
of Foster, Buster Collins and Davison being a fair match against any
opponent at this level. In addition the handling skills and ball retention
from Dan Robinson and Dale Tonks from the Mids kick offs was also worthy
of mention. Ed
Close scored his second after some excellent handling in the threes
with the conversion to follow. 
Further opportunities
were on offer and there were some basic errors and Mids were trying
their utmost to get back in the game on the counter attack. The last
try came in the final minute of the half. Dover were awarded a penalty
just inside the Mids half. Murray took a quick tap and a delicate chip
from Foster had the Mids defence in all sorts of problems. Dover stole
the ball and after several phases of pick and go centre Jamie Townley
evaded a tackle and stormed over the line for Beaumont to convert.
The second half again saw Dover as dominant and their creativity was
plentiful with some explosive running; however in the early stages
Mids did question the defence and their efforts never wavered. After
53 minutes Mackintosh charged the ball down deep in Dover’s half
and the ball was passed through numerous hands before Murray was on
hand to race over for a converted score. Substitutions were made with
Jamie Phillips appearing on the right wing, Chris Lucas at prop and
debutant Jeff Finn having his first taste of the 1’s at openside,
which will give him the confidence to stake a claim in the squad.
There was a lull for a period in the half with a lack of focus and
concentration although control was not lost. Lee Tonks, back from a
weeks absence, looked sharp and his lines of running throughout the
game were superb. Skipper Martyn Beaumont left the field with about
12 minutes remaining with a minor injury and although a man down Ben
Sedgwick moved from the flank to outside half. His versatility in the
back line is priceless and he was rewarded with a well taken try on
the 75th minute which he converted. The last try came from a fine back
line move. From the resulting ruck situation Collins peeled off the
back and powered through several players to touch down.
Dover remains in second spot one point behind Gravesend but they have
a six point advantage over Deal Lions who had n excellent win over
Aylesford.
Dover travel to Chichester next week in what will be a tough encounter.
Team ; Moore, Savage, Hewer, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Foster, Davison,
Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Mackintosh, Sedgwick, Close, Phillips,
Lucas, Finn.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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