Dover U16's Win Bowl At Kent Youth Festival
Played on 16 March 2008
Dover went into last weeks' Kent youth festival looking to put the
indifferent form of the last few weeks behind them and were keen to
establish themselves amongst the counties elite. Dover turned up with
a near full strength squad and were drawn in a tough but winnable group
along with maidstone and tonbridge juddians. First up were judd's who
scored almost immediately from the kick off after repeated infringements
led to dover being marched back to their own line where a quick tap
was taken and judd's big number 8 crashed through dover's shell shocked
defence. This spurred dover into life and they proceeded to dominate
for the remainder of the game. unfortunately on the 2 occassions they
crossed the judd's line the referee pulled them back. Final score Dover
0-5 Tonbridge Juddians in a game that dover really should have won
comfortably.
Next up were an improving Maidstone outfit. Again dover started slowly
and found themselves under pressure for a majority of the opening period.
However Dovers' defence was excellent, especially Chris Yarrow and
Nathan Annakie who both had commendable tournaments. Dover started
the second half in a much more positive manner and had much the better
share of this half. Unfortunately a moment of ill discipline cost dover
as Ben Rix was over eager in defence and was sent to the sin bin for
a spear tackle which was a harsh decision. Dover's dissent to the referee
that followed was inexcusable and they were marched back and another
tap penalty led to the only try of the game. Despite again being the
better side and going down 5-0 for the second game in succession dover
had begun to play in the manner that was required.
Dover's next opponents were Whitstable in the quarter final of the
bowl competition. Dover recorded their first win of the day in resounding
fashion scoring 4 tries, 2 of which Phillips converted for a 24-0 victory.
Dover started brightly and produced some of the fast paced running
rugby they are used to and ran out comfortable winners.
Dover's semi-final opponents were a very big and powerful Sevenoaks
team. Both teams were clearly fired up for this contest, a fact underlined
by the ferocity of the defence on both sides, with Yarrow and Coughlan
smashing anything unfortunate enough to get in their way. Despite an
equal share of possession Dover showed their pace and class by scoring
3 well worked tries, 2 well taken by the impressive Foggarty and the
try of the day for lock Nathan Annakie who finished off a move involving
the whole team in one way or another. The ball was excellently kept
alive by Dover and 12 passes later Annakie was under the posts. Final
score Dover 19-0 Sevenoaks. Dover would face Gravesend who narrowly
edged out Deal in the other semi-final.
The Final that took place at Aylesford on sunday was scheduled to be
a full length game but was cut to 20 minute halves in an attempt to
save the pitches which were taking a battering from heavey rain and
a strong wind.
Dover won the toss and captain Merrit elected to play up the slope
in the first half, with the wind blowing clean accross the pitch. Dover
started brightly and drove the gravesend pack deep into their own half,
the dover pack providing a text book example of how to play the conditions.
The platform set by the forwards allowed fly half Phillips the time
and space he needed to set himself for a drop goal attempt which he
executed perfectly for a 3-0 lead. Gravesend came back strongly and
put dover under pressure but superb defence from wing sam wheeler saw
him bundle his man into touch. Dover began to exert pressure of their
own with great driving runs from Hubbard, Bradley and Hayden Annakie
in particular, supplementing the defensive work of Coughlan, Merrit
and Ward. It was then Dovers turn to be caught short as mercurial lock
Nathan Annakie intercepted a stray pass and sped off towards the line,
only to be brought down inches short by the covering winger who made
a superb tackle, injuring himself in the process.
Dover were back on the attack soon after and the vision of Dan Norris
was superb as his grubber kick caught the Gravesend full back out of
position and sent Yarrow and Fullback Capon speeding after the ball.
Yarrow got their marginally ahead of the fullback and did excellently
to chip the ball on. It was now a foot race between Capon and the Gravesend
winger which Capon duly won, touching the ball down for a try that
the enterprise of the dover backline warranted. Phillips slotted the
conversion for a 10-0 half time lead. Dover started the second half
with the advantage of the slope but, the wind was now blowing ferociously
in their faces. The back three supplemented by winger Clarke did supremely
well dealing with the abundance of ball kicked to them as Gravesend
looked to use the wind to gain territory to fight their way back into
the game. Gravesend were pressing hard but could not find a way through
Dover's resolute defence. Dover looked comfortable until a routine
clearance was charged down after good work from Gravesends' blindside
flanker, and their scrum half touched the ball down. Gravesends' kicker
did superbly given the conditions to convert making the score Dover
10-7 Gravesend. Rix then entered the fray for dover and his work in
defence was commendable, as was the lineout throwing of Hookers Sam
Stott and Jamie Trevor. The remainder of the game was evenly contested
in the middle of the park, neither side able to produce quick, quality
ball due to the worsening conditions. Dover played out the remainder
of the game in a proffessional manner to win the match and the Kent
youth Bowl 10-7. Credit to Gravesend who made it a very good game.
This caps an excellent season for this young sharks side as they add
the youth festival bowl to the Kent cup they won in December. Dover's
next fixture is away to Thanet on the 30th march.
Festival Squad: Keen, Bradley, Stott, Hubbard, Ward, H. Annakie, Merrit,
Rix, N. Annakie, Coughlan, Anthony, Stan, Trevor, Beresford, Keane,
Phillips, Norris, Yarrow, Foggarty, Clarke, Wheeler, Capon.
Reported by Daniel Gill
