Dover U12s (15) v (17) Folkestone U12s
Played at Crabble on 27th April '08
On
a bright and sunny Sunday morning at crabble the Dover Rugby Club's
U12s entertained local rivals Folkestone in what turned out to be a
game of two halves, a slope and one conversion! In readiness for next
seasons step up to15 a side rugby, the Dover U12s strolled confidently
out for the first time onto the full sized pitch. Dover with the kick
off 
and
slope in their favour couldn't have started any better with great piecing
runs by Prop Matt Sanders who caused problems for the
opposition all morning.
Early, pressure from the visitors was relieved
by quick ball from scum half Moore and great kicking by Allen 
allowing
for Cook to chase down the Folkestone fullback into conceding a 5 metre
sc
rum. A solid scrum created the platform for a great pick and go try
deep in the corner by powerful number 8 Cooper.
The conversion, whilst
it had distance, was only narrowly missed. The home side strengthened
their lead with an almost identical try shortly afterwards from a well
set ruck, it was again Cooper with another quick pick and run touch
down deep in the corner,Conversion again narrowly missed (10-0).
The visitors raised their game and were looking to get back into the
match before the interval by applying great pressure against the home
side forcing us back to the 10 meter line. However, the Dover lads
had other plans,with great team defensive resolve, the ball was ripped
out and won on the 10 meter line, this allowed for a great pop pass
out to fly half Allen. Allen jinked and darted his way a full 70 meters
out pacing 5 or six players including the Folkestone fullback to touch
down under the posts. 
With adrenalin running high, an unfamiliar kicking
tee together with an unfortunate rush of blood led to the conversion
being missed. Half time 15-0 to Dover.
The second half was a whole different story and saw a reversal of
the first half. The first points scored by either team was always
going
to be important, unfortunately for Dover, it didn't go our way and
following great pressure by Folkestone a mistake was made and the
visitors touched down in the corner, but no conversion(15-5). This
seemed to
have raised the visitors spirits with them starting to play some
very good rugby. Dover's heads dropped somewhat which led to a
repeat try
being scored in the corner again with no conversion(15-10). The score
was now within the visitors grasp, the Dover lads' frustration and
lack of fully committed tackling lead to another searing run by the
Folkestone winger who made sure of the touch down between the posts.
This time the conversion was made (15-17) taking the visitors into
the lead for the first time in the match. From the restart, a lack
of speed into the opposition half meant that Folkestone were able
to come straight back at Dover again, with pressure mounting, until
a
penalty went Dover's way on our 5 meter line. With the clock ticking
down a tap and go penalty was taken and great distance was made by
Cook until the breakdown, unfortunately insufficient continued pressure
at the ruck meant Folkestone were able to force play into touch for
the final whistle to be blown.
Well done to all the lads on an fantastic team performance. This was an excellent, exciting game of rugby and very closely contested throughout. If this is the kind of standard we are to expect for next season then we do indeed have a lot to look forward to!
Team: Kallum Allen(1), Jordan Annakie, Aidan Cook, Joe Cooper(2), Branden Forrest,Luke Frost, Josh Glew, Kieran Hopper, Robin Jenkins, Angus Killin, Finlay McMunn, Harry Moore, Matt Ribbans, Derren Russell, Matt Sanders, Frazer Shields, George Smith, Michael Walsh, Matt Young, Billy, Tyler.
Coaches Andy Allen, Trevor Hopper, Tim Moore.
Reported by Andy Allen
Pictures By Richard Jenkins
