Dover U13s (34) v (5) Kituro Under 13s
Played on 7th April 2008
On Sunday Dover U13s entertained Belgian touring side Kituro at Crabble.
From the kick off Kituro took possession of the ball and put together
some neat phases of play to take themselves deep into Shark’s
territory, but good defensive work from the Dover pack resulted in
turnover ball from a ruck followed by a long kick to touch. Kituro
won their own lineout ball and their wing took the blindside option
to make a searing run to register the first try of the match out wide.
Dover regrouped and after some 5 minutes in Kituro territory Oliver
Latham cut through the Belgian defensive line to bring the scores level.
Dover’s confidence boosted, they followed up the Kituro kick
with some fluid phases of play to again put themselves in striking
distance of the opponents try line, but the ball was intercepted by
Kituro who knocked on giving Sharks a scrum. The pack who have looked
strong in set piece play all season did not disappoint driving Kituro
over their line for number 8, Tom Johnstone to pick up and score the
home side’s second try.
In the second period the young Sharks continued to pressure Kituro,
competing for every ball and although the tourists made a number of
forays into Dover’s half well worked defensive moves and some
greatly improved tackling prevented their efforts being rewarded with
points.
During the last 20 minutes of play, the coaches and band of stalwart
supporters endured driving sleet to witness some of the season’s
best rugby from the team. Forwards were delivering quick ball to the
backs, who in turn exploited gaps in Kituro’s defence with quick
running and fluid passing. Connor Allen touched down under the posts
followed by a conversion from Tom Clark. Further Dover tries came from
Luke Rigden, Jos Crush and Jo Tonkin with another conversion by Tom
Clark.
A good solid performance from Dover against a well drilled and committed
Belgian side.
After the post match luncheon Shark’s Captain Shaun Field and
the Kituro captain exchanged club ties as souvenirs of the day.
Under 13s : Connor Allen, Luke Allen, Joe Bisset, Hal Bryan, Jordan
Caldwell, Tom Clark, Jos Crush, Robert Duffy, Shaun Field, Sam Gibbs,
Issack Goeghegan, Aidan Harper, Sam Harrison, Thomas Johnstone, Joe
Killick-Baker, Oliver Latham, James Moynan, Luke Rigden, Thomas Saunders,
Jack Smith, Oliver Thompson, Joe Tonkin
By Chris Bryan
Coaches: George Clark & Bob Thomson
Reported by Chris
Bryan
