Dover Rugby Club

Dover travelled to Thanet on Saturday for a top of the league clash. As it turned out never has the phrase a game of two halves been more apt. From the kick-off Dover took the game to the home team and were soon 3-0 up after the metronomic boot of Marsh slotted a penalty from just inside the halfway. With the returning Holdsworth & O'Dell in the centres creating space & time at will Dover soon notched up their first try when the ball was moved wide for Dean to ghost over in the left hand corner.
With Thanet struggling to hold on another penalty was conceded and Marsh duly obliged with a great kick from the far touch line. With the forwards containing Shaun McAdam on an outstanding debut presenting great ball and the backs running amok Blair got a chance to show his pace and went over for Dover's second try after the centre pairing had created a perfect overlap. The half finished as it had started with Marsh kicking a penalty to give Dover a 23-0 half time lead.
A further penalty at the start of the second half left Dover feeling safe and the experienced & powerful Bowditch was replaced.This turned out to be the turning point in the game. Thanet's forwards realized Dover now had a soft under belly and put the ball up their jumpers and started taking their opposite numbers on in the tight. After a strong rolling maul they crashed over for their first score. Worse was to follow as May was sin binned and Thanet managed to score 2 more tries following good work by their pack to bring the score back to 26-19.
Thankfully time ran out and Dover breathed a huge sigh of relief and were grateful for another 100% kicking match (6 out of 6) for Marsh. Dover will work on the games weak points and will look for improvements next week when they have the chance to avenge their only defeat of the season against Whitstable.