Dover U16s (18) v (5) Dartfordians U16s
Played on 10/02/2008
Dover welcomed Dartfordians to crabble on sunday for a rare home game.
After last weeks woeful display in the narrow victory over folkestone
Dover started the game like they had a point to prove and duly dominated
the opening exchanges. Whilst camped inside the Dart's 22 for the opening
ten minutes Dover were being denied at the line by very good Dartfordians
defence. It took 15 minutes of constant Dover pressure before the first
break through came. Dover put immense pressure on a Darfordians' 5m
scrum which put them on the back foot, and an attempted clearance by
the opposition scrum half was well charged down by Hubbard and Lock
Nathan Annakie reacted quickest to pounce on the loose ball for the
opening score. Phillips missed narrowly with the conversion. Dover
then looked to add to their tally and looked to attack from everywhere,
particullarly through the jinky running of wing Liam Clark and No.8
Hayden Annakie who shared the man of the match award. Despite there
best efforts Dover were soon pegged back to 5-5 after good work from
the dartfordians' pack led to a try to the right of the posts. Dovers'
response was swift as they surged up field only to be stopped 15 meters
short by illegal means. Phillips slotted the 3 points and Dover went
into half time with a slender 8-5 lead. After some stern words from
the coaches at the break and a couple of positional and personnel changes
dover looked a more polished unit and began to exert constant pressure
on the Dartfordian's defence. Dover Twice crossed the white wash through
Hubbard and Bradley but the absence of a video referee saved Dart's
blushes and Dover had to make do with 3 points from a well struck Phillips
penalty. Dover were looking more and more dangerous as the game wore
on and with 15 minutes remaining Clark put the game beyond doubt. The
forwards set the platform with a solid maul, Coughlan and the Annakie
Brothers drove well up the blind side, especially Nathan Annakie who's
juggling skills are to be comended. Beresford released the backs and
deft hands from Foggarty and Norris put Rix into space and he sent
Winger clark on his way to the line, blasting past his opposite man
and the despairing full back to cap an outstanding personal performance.
Phillips converted from the touch line to bring the final score to
Dover 18 Dartfordian's 5. Well done to Dartfordians' who made the journey
down the M2 and made Dover work hard for the win. Next Sunday Dover
head to Maidstone for what should be a very entertaining game.
Team; Bradley, Stott, Hubbard, N.Annakie, Anthony, Stan, Coughlan,
H.Annakie, Beresford, Phillips, Hewer, Rix, Norris, Clark, Wheeler.
Subs; (ALL PLAYED) Capon, Foggarty, Merrit.
Reported by Daniel Gill
