Chichester 1st XV (16) v (31) Dover 1st XV
Played 16th February 2008
Dover will be please with their two points from this game; however
they will need to take stock of their performance particularly in the
first half . This fixture was always going to be difficult in view
of the journey in reaching the destination and more importantly the
fact that Chi has a reputation of being a side that rarely lose on
their home turf.
Preparations were good and the squad met early for a meal courtesy
of the ‘Craddocks’. The importance of winning this game
was immense in order to preserve their hopes of challenging for the
title. 
In the opening minutes Dover started well and then the tide
turned and for the vast majority of the half Chi were pulling the strings
and the visitors were having to dig deep to prevent them scoring. 
Chi’s
number 8 was a menace and a number of first up tackles were surprisingly
missed. Ben Murray was binned after 16 minutes for alleged handling
in the ruck and Chi’s outside half kicked two penalties, the
second being an extremely harsh call, in quick succession. Dover were
struggling with their composure and were lacking good quality possession
to move the ball. Martyn Beaumont reduced the deficit with a well taken
penalty on the half hour. This seemed to inspire Dover who were now
starting to grow in confidence. Their pack was again strong up front
and hooker Kirk Savage managed to take two scrums against the head
although possession was lost in the line. Openside Jon Foster was turning
over ball and relieving the pressure being applied by Chi .
In the closing minutes of the half Dover were camped just inside the
Chi half. Some excellent work by both forwards and backs saw the ball
passed between a number of hands before Trigger Davison took the pass
and crashed though the defence to score. The extras followed. This
was a huge score which might have been the undoing of this strong and
physical home side.
From the restart Dover allowed Chi back into the game and a dropped
goal was immediately scored giving Dover only a one point cushion.
Chi maintained the pressure once more and they will be disappointed
at the manner in which they went behind. Winger Ricky Mackintosh took
possession of a ball deep in the Sharks 22. He made good ground and
brushed aside one player before cutting a path inside before passing
to Jamie Townley who hoofed the ball forward and Chi’s defence
were penalised for holding on. 
From
a resulting lineout the forwards drove forward and a slick move to
Lee Tonks saw him cut an exciting
angle and gallop over the line to score. Beaumont did the honours.
Dover increased their lead shortly after when Buster Collins turned
over ball just inside the Sharks half. The ball was again spread wide
through at least 5 pairs of hands before Murray touched down. The second
half was certainly more inspiring. Chi were still working hard and
Dover’s defence was again being tested.
On the 65th minute Dover
were awarded a scrum on their own 5 metre line. 
The
ball was won and fed to Lee Tonks with Beaumont on hand to take the
pass and motor past
the halfway line before Jamie Phillips joined the fold in support and
he released full back Ed Close on the inside for a fantastic try, with
the conversion to follow by Murray.
A number of changes were made by Dover which disrupted their formation
and Chi continued to pressurise and they scored a well deserved try
in the final minute of the game. This had been a hard fought game and
Dover will need to reflect on a number of issues relating to the performance.
Players cannot afford to be complacent at this time in the season in
light of all the hard work that has taken the team this far in such
a short space of time.
With Gravesend winning Dover remain in second spot, with the Deal Lions
in third place.
Team; Moore, Savage, Stanley, Tonks D, Robinson, Collins, Foster, Davison,
Murray, Beaumont, Tonks L, Townley, Phillips, Mackintosh, Close, Lucas,
Finn, Odell.
Dover play Collumpton RFC in Devon on Saturday in their quest to reach the semi-final of the EDF Senior Vase. The team travel on Friday and there are still seats remaining on the bus. The team would appreciate any support on the day.
Report by: Richard Collins
pictures by Ian Shilson
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