Dover U16s (10) v (0) Thanet U15s
Played on 18/11/2007
Thanet were the visitors to crabble this sunday in the semi-finals
of the kent cup.
Dover started at full throttle as they looked to banish the disappointment
of last weeks narrow 7-3 defeat away to Deal, and spurred on by the
prospect of a place in the final. Dover looked in control from the
out set with centre and man of the match Sam Foggarty fielding the
kick-off and beating three players before finally being tackled. The
backs who ran well all day continued to look sharpe in the first twenty
minutes with mazey runs from Foggarty and Norris backed up by the bulldozing
charges of fullback Capon and fly-half Phillips. The forward packs
were evenly matched at ruck and maul which made for a good contest
but it was off-loading in the tackle that saw Dovers' forwards shine
and it was good forward support play that saw four or five quick off-loads
send fullback Jamie Capon over in the corner. Phillips narrowly missed
the conversion from the touchline making the score 5-0 to Dover. Dover
continued to play all the rugby in the first half and only solid last
ditch tackling from thanet halted good runs by Bradbury, Norris, Rix
and Clarke who were all brought down just short of the line. 5-0 at
half time.
Thanet regrouped at half time and started the 2nd half well-a good
interception by the Thanet centre following a speculative pass by the
Dover backs saw the tackle of the match by fullback Jamie Capon as
he dumped his man into touch just short of the line. This shocked Dover
back into action and the pack began to punch holes round the fringes
through Bradbury, Rix and Hayden Annakie who all made great yards.
Nathan Annakie and Mikey Merrit were solid in the rucks and mauls and
Sam Stott was solid at lineout time in very testing conditions. Credit
also to scrum half James Beresford who had a very good game and was
'general like' all day. Dover were exerting more and more pressure
and it looked only a matter of time before another score would come
but Thanets' defence was commendable as they stopped all comers-even
prop Tom Hubbards' twinkle-toed effort to side step his way to the
line! After consultation between the coaching staff Dover decided to
call on the cavalry in the form of substitutes Ward, Yarrow, Hewer
and Ross who all had very impressive games. Indeed it was good play
by Ward on a destructive run that sent mercurial flanker Coughlan on
his way to the line, Yarrow was there in support but was brought down
inches short, only for the ball to be played to Hubbard who smashed
over out wide for a 10-0 lead. The last 15 minutes of the game were
played with ruthless efficiency by Dover who kept Thanet at bay with
strong defence and excellent tactical kicking from captain Phillips
who constantly kept Thanet in their half. Despite the pressure Dover
were unable to breach the Thanet line despite Rix going close again
and Phillips a-judged to have knocked on while grounding the ball.
The final point scoring oppurtunity came with 5 minutes left when Thanet
gave away a penalty for killing the ball after a strong burst from
Ross. Phillips missed narrowly with another tough kick. Thanet then
had there best spell of the game coming close out wide on two occassions
in the dying seconds but Dovers' nerve held and the game finished 10-0
to Dover. Credit to Thanet who made it a very good game, but Dover
deserved the win so well done all involved-bring on the final!!!
Team: Hubbard, Stott, Bradbury, Annakie x2, Merrit, Rix, Coughlan,
Beresford, Phillips, Wheeler, Norris, Foggarty, Clarke, Capon. Subs:
Yarrow, Ward, Ross, Hewer.
Reported by Daniel Gill
