Dover Rugby 2012-13
- 6 September 2012 07:59190214Here is a report of the first match of the season with a few photos.
Chichester 41 V Dover 8
Dover kicked off their 2012/13 league season with a long away trip to Chichester. New signings Richard Eldridge, Lee Ambrose, Josh Erskine and Leighton Docherty all made their debuts with glorious conditions let the season begin.
Greg Phillips got the game under way and it was he who put Dover on the scoreboard at the earliest opportunity. Dover turned over a scrum through Erskine causing his opposite number to fumble the ball, with Chi scrambling they conceded a penalty 45 metres out. Phillips opted for posts and converted his chance confidently to give Dover a 3-0 lead. The Chi restart was fielded by Foster, Chichester were again penalised at the ruck and Phillips boot rewarding Dover with a lineout on half way. Dover's lineout was plucked out the air by Matt Suter but as Dover set the drive the ball was knocked on returning possession to the home side.
Chichester were starting to win some good possession but didn't use it effectively the backs handling letting them down as Dover pressed hard in defence. Dover however didn't seize their opportunities all too often handing possession back to their opponents within 2 phases. Dover allowed the Chi forwards to start to dominate the set piece their No.8 in particular always making the gain line when in possession. Slowly Chi made their way into Dover's 22.
Dover did defend valiantly but it at a cost firstly Charlie Halls slightly unfortunate to be sin binned for an attempted one handed interception that was knocked on, Dover conceded a succession of penalties which led to a second sin bin this time Suter for collapsing a maul. Dover were now up against it with only 13 players on the pitch gaps started to appear, Chi exploited this as attacking the spaces, a dogged Dover rear guard began to creak eventually relenting as Chi forwards drove the ball over the line to score the try out wide, a good conversion saw Dover trail 7 -3. Dover continued to soak up the pressure with success and with the sin bins both back on looked to try and move the ball but they lacked the killer instinct to add points on the board. Chichester was enjoying a higher proportion of possession and when their backs managed to string some passes together they looked dangerous. Richard Eldridge preventing a certain try with a tackle which secured Dover possession and a chance to clear the danger. Dover started to show some belief and took play back to the Chi 22 but when it mattered Dover didn't attack with numbers and their threat was snuffed out. The first half drew to a close with Chichester holding a slender 7-3 lead, Dover could take great heart from this considering they had played a 16 minutes of the half without a full complement of players.
Head Coach Tonks spoke about passion, desire and belief at half time this game was for the taking but Dover would have to nullify the threat of their dominant No.8.
Chi got the second half under way and managed to steal possession from indecision at the restart. Chris Lucas managed to steal it back and took play back over halfway, Foster took over to make 20 metres but a lack of support saw him exposed in the tackle and Chichester would have the put in. Dover's pack fired and turn over the ball but the backs were to flat as they tried to attack wide. Dover retained possession but lost yards. Dover were however awarded a penalty out wide, Phillips opted for posts and was unlucky not to score with the ball hitting the posts. Chichester scrambled the ball to touch, Dover however were still in the danger zone. A solid lineout Dover set the maul, Chichester managed to stop it but the ruck was set and Dover looked for quick ball, Chi prevented this and Dover were awarded another penalty but Dover's indiscipline saw the decision reversed with Cooper trying to take the law into his own hands and sent to the sin bin. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Dover and put wind in the sails of Chichester. The home sides backs started to fire with plenty of quick ball they soon rattled up 3 tries and a conversion whilst Dover were depleted in numbers taking the score to 24-3. Dover's heads started to drop with too many players blaming others rather than shouldering some of the responsibility themselves. Things didn't get any better as Cooper returned with Chi seemingly scoring at will running in two further tries.
Now all Dover could do was play for pride. It was one of the debutants that stole the show, Richard Eldridge at full back joining the line and show great pace and awareness as he sidestepped through three potential tackles to score a fine try. The conversion missed Dover trailed 34-8. Chichester had totally outplayed Dover in the second half and were deserved winners as they ran in a final converted try for a 41-8 victory.
Despite the result there were some good performances notably Eldridge at full back, Nathan Annakie who tackled hard all game but Dover's man of the match is awarded to Prop Chris Lucas for a solid performance.
Next week Dover host Sidcup at Crabble with a 3 o'clock kick off. A large home support is expected with only a point splitting the two sides last term its sure to be another nail-biting encounter.
TEAM:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), SUTER, DOCHERTY, FOSTER, BLOWERS, ERSKINE, PHILLIPS, HALLS, N. ANNAKIE, TOWNLEY, McNAMARA, ELDRIDGE, CRAWFORD, M.BURR & l Tonks (unused)
Scorers:
Try: Richard Eldridge
Pen: Greg Phillips
- 6 September 2012 08:14190220Excellent report and pictures above there Ian. Well done with that, good to have it. Have just seperated the paragraphs a wee bit for easier reading. Great photos too.
email: dover7@msn.com - 6 September 2012 10:47190254thanks ian, seems a long distance to travel, is the league set out geographically?
- 6 September 2012 12:32190299Yes Howard, they play in London 1 South. This season the furthest fixture is against a team
called Trojans from Southampton. Others include Basingstoke, Gosport, Havant. We have a few closer games
against Sidcup and Beckenham. - 12 September 2012 18:32191107The 2nd game of the season for Dover Rugby 1st Team
Dover 24 V Sidcup 20
Crabble basked in the sunshine, great for the large crowd but not for the players. This was Dover's first home game of the new season was always going to be a tough one against a competitive Sidcup side. The Dover squad had been strengthened following last week's performance, new signings Logan Chandler and Jamie Farris added to the back row for their debuts and Pat Sykes and Ben Sedgwick added to the centres. Dover won the toss and opted to play up the slope for the first half in the energy sapping heat.
Sidcup got the game underway, the kick was not taken charge of by a Dover player and the ball bobbled around dangerously in the Dover 22, Eldridge at full-back cleared up the danger setting a ruck for Phillips to clear 30 metres towards halfway. Dover started to settle and turned over possession at the breakdown, a rolling maul and then a scrum set up a good field position but their first chance to attack saw the back line too flat which created slow ball. Dover did manage to recycle the ball, a Sedgwick chip over the top there was a glimmer of an opening when he almost retrieved the ball with a brilliant inside flick to Halls but Sedgwick had put a foot in touch. Sidcup breathed a sigh of relief and kicked the ball clear, Dover scrambled in defence but conceded a penalty to give Sidcup a lineout 5 metres out. Dover managed to steal the ball and clear to 20 metres but Sidcup attacked again another penalty and another 5 metre lineout. This time they caught and drove to open the scoring with a converted try. Phillips restarted play and Sidcup knocked the ball on for a Dover scrum. Sidcup wheeled the scrum through 90 degrees and used the hand over to again apply the pressure. Initially the Dover defence was solid Sykes and Chandler putting in some huge bone crunching tackles. The pressure grew and as Dover started to scramble they were penalised at the ruck 20 metres out. Sidcup added the three points to lead 10 - 0 after 21 minutes. Dover were trying to play their style of rugby but at the crucial time a pass didn't go to hand, this only mounted the pressure on Dover again Sidcup found themselves in the bottom corner. Dover conceded penalties for infringements at the ruck and Ed Blowers being sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the lineout. Sidcup used there extra man to score another try again converted Dover now trailed 17 - 0 with 3 minutes of the half remaining. Unlike last week Dover's heads didn't drop and again secured possession at the restart. A lineout then a scrum saw them 10 metres from the Sidcup line. At last Dover fired young Charlie Halls moving from the wing to take a pass and power through the centre as he drew the defenders Richard Eldridge was in support to scamper over in the corner, the conversion missed Dover had points on the board half time 17 - 5 to Sidcup.
Dover had the advantage of the slope for the second half and were soon in the ascendency. They dominated the breakdown and were awarded a penalty. Phillips took play into the 22 but Dover's lineout failed and Sidcup cleared the danger. Dover worked hard to regain possession. Sedgwick seized the ball and broke through the centres Halls again cut in off the wing to take up possession to power to 5 metres out, Jon Foster was in support to score the try which Phillips converted for Dover to trail by 17 - 12. Dover now believed, when they played their style of rugby they were unstoppable. Again the dominated at the ruck and the set piece was starting to bear fruit. Dave Sluman back from injury replaced skipper Dale Tonks in the second row. Dover continued to press, it was Sidcup who were making the mistakes and as the pressure mounted their No.8 was sent to the sin bin for a tip tackle. The penalty awarded Phillips kicked to the corner for a 5 metre lineout. Blowers secured the ball and Dover set the driving maul powering over the line for Sluman to touch down, the conversion slipped just wide but Dover had drawn level at 17 - 17 with 20 minutes to go. Frustratingly Dover were penalised from the restart and Sidcup took the opportunity to add 3 points to their tally and hold a slender lead. It was not long before Dover moved into the lead for the first time. Chandler broke from the back of a ruck to make good yards again Halls moved off his wing to join the line Sykes feeding him the ball to then set Sedgwick free to go over to score in the corner. Phillips added the conversion for Dover to lead 24 - 20 with 15 minutes to go. Inexplicably Dover started to relax and Sidcup much to their credit put Dover under extreme pressure. Brilliant defence saw Dover thwart the danger as Sidcup tried to turn the screw continuously for the remainder of the game. Dover in fact didn't clear the ball over half way until a minute to go when they broke out of defence and where stopped 10 metres out, the referee called last play and Dover kicked to touch. Dover 24 - Sidcup 20 final score. This was a great confidence builder for Dover a bonus point win over one of the leagues stronger sides. There were many good performances on the day but young Charlie Halls stood out as man of the match playing a huge part in three of Dover's four tries. Next week Dover travel to Hove kick off 3pm.
Team
COOPER, SAVAGE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, CHANDLER, CRAWFORD, PHILLIPS, HALLS, SYKES, SEDGWICK, TOWNLEY, ELDRIDGE, SLUMAN, ROBINSON & ANNAKIE
Scorers:
TRIES: Richard Eldridge, Jon Foster, Dave Sluman, Ben Sedgwick
CONV: Greg Phillips x 2
- 12 September 2012 18:57191118excellent report and pictures ian, clearly the slope plays a big part and dover decided to play against it in the first half.
sounds like a dangerous ploy, the visitors could have taken the game away from them by half time.
sounds like it was a good game to watch with a nail biting finale. - 12 September 2012 19:09191122They do tend to make it a nervy ending sometimes Howard, unfortunately not always in there favour.
This Saturday at Hove will be tough. Don't know what it is about them but we've never seemed to do well there.
Hopefully this season will be different. Like most teams, we suffered with injuries last season but the players that have
been added have given us more depth in the squad. - 17 September 2012 20:51191955Hove 12 V DOVER 13
After last week's stunning victory against Sidcup Dover faced the away trip to Hove at the weekend. This is never an easy game indeed Dover have failed to win there for the last 3 seasons but fortunately all 18 players played with the pride and passion which epitomises this team and Dover came away with the spoils.
Hove kicked off the first half with Dover playing into the sun, the kick was deep Phillips gathered the ball and kicked to touch 40 metres from the Dover line. Dover were penalised at the lineout and Hove took play to within 15 metres with the kick. Dover had started slower than desired and were soon on the back foot, a succession of pick and go's at the ruck from Hove applied the pressure and although the defence looked solid Dover were caught offside and Hove took full advantage kicking for goal from the penalty to take an early 3 point lead. This seemed to wake Dover up, a good kick chase at the restart saw Dover steal possession through Farris, Dover pressed forward but the ball went forward in the offload as they attempted to sneak through a gap. Dover's set piece had improved week on week and indeed this week the forwards had started to dominate their opponents from early on. Dover had soon taken play into the Hove 22 and with solid quick lineout ball won by Blowers it was time for the Dover backs to get into the game but the danger was soon snuffed out with them too flat to put any real pressure on the Hove backline and the home side scrambled the ball clear. It was obvious that the Hove backs were the main danger indeed when their forwards could win them the ball they moved it wide quickly to attack the Dover fringes but Dover's back 3 of Halls, Jaggar and Eldridge were more than equal to the task forcing them into touch. Hove looked to attack again through the centre again they hit the Dover brick wall but Dover were penalised again at the ruck to concede a penalty in front of the posts. Hove opted for goal and were again successful taking a 6 - 0 lead after 20 minutes. Dover again looked to steal the restart and were awarded the penalty for a trip, Phillips kicked to within 15 metres for a Dover lineout. Dover played through a couple of phases before releasing the backs and this time they attacked with pace only a high tackle stopping Eldridge at full flow. Hove again managed to scramble the ball clear and attacked from deep using their pace in the backs. Dover again defended valiantly but were penalised at the breakdown once more and Hove added another 3 points to their total to lead 9-0. Eldridge had to leave the field through injury and Sykes replaced him at full back. The remainder of the half saw no further scores. Dover trailed 9-0 despite all the hard work of their forwards, the Dover backs needed to show what they had in attack if Dover were going to turn things round.
Dover started the second half with fire in their bellies after the usual encouragement from Head Coach Tonks at half time. Phillips got the second half underway another good kick chase saw the Dover forwards win possession. Lucas and Cooper carried the ball forward and Dover was soon awarded a penalty as Hove scrambled in defence. Greg Phillips put Dover on the scoreboard 9-3 with a successful kick at goal. A solid start but Hove came straight back and Dover were reduced to 14 players when Halls was sin binned at the breakdown, unfortunately for the player it was a team yellow for persistent offending at the ruck. Hove's attempt at goal was missed but Dover didn't learn their lesson and conceded another penalty shortly afterwards, this time successful they again trailed by 9 points. Dave Sluman replaced skipper Dale Tonks at 2nd row. Dover played with composure for the 10 minutes until Halls retook his place on the pitch. Dover were now totally dominating the lineout with Sluman and Blowers stealing opposition ball and taking all of their own. Jamie Farris injured in the tackle was replaced by Danny Robinson and his passion inspired the Dover scrum.
Dover turned over a Hove scrum, awarded their own Dover looked to strike, Chandler picked up from the base to take play in field Pat Sykes in support skittled through the Hove defence with Halls then Jaggar in support a superb Dover move was finished with Jon Foster scoring the try, the conversion slipped wide for Dover to trail by four points with 20 minutes to go.
Jon Foster
Dover could scent victory and it wasn't too long before Dover again crossed the line. Again a solid platform was set by the forwards and again Sykes was too hot to handle powering his way through the Hove backline to score, the conversion missed Dover had a slender one point lead.
Pat Sykes
Could this be 4th time lucky for Dover. Hove again showed why they are so hard to beat at Hove wave after wave of attack was met by a dogged defensive display. With minutes to go it looked as if they had breached the Dover line out wide but a brilliant covering tackle from Josh Erskine saved the day. Dover then kept possession in the forwards and slowly moved back into Hove territory until the referee called final play and Phillips kicked the ball dead. A momentus victory Dover's first in four attempts at Hove. After their first week's performance Dover have during the last two weeks shown their real mettle. There were some outstanding individual performances on the day but this victory at Hove was about the whole team. Pat Sykes was awarded man of the match for a dominant second half display although there could have been 18 of them in truth.
Next week Dover return to Crabble to play Old Colfeians a large home crowd support is expected for the 3 o'clock kick off.
Team:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, CHANDLER, ERSKINE, PHILLIPS, HALLS, N ANNAKIE, CRAWFORD, JAGGAR, ELDRIDGE, ROBINSON, SLUMAN, SYKES
Scorers:
TRIES: Jon Foster, Pat Sykes
PENS: Greg Phillips x 1 - 17 September 2012 20:58191959they like cutting it fine ian, last week 4 points - just 1 point this week but i seem to remember you saying that hove is not a happy hunting ground for the sharks.
the toss seems to be an important thing over the last 2 games with the slope at home and playing into the sun away.
where do old old colfeians hail from? - 17 September 2012 21:11191962From Lee, SE London Howard.
They've lost there opening 3 games but all have pretty close as they have 3 bonus points. - 26 September 2012 18:22193152DOVER 41 V Old Colfeians 3
After last week's battling display away to Hove the Sharks were back at Crabble hoping to continue their winning run. The team led out by skipper Dale Tonks adorned in the new strip supplied by local business DH Empire Motors to entertain the large crowd to a six try feast.
Old Colfeians kicked off playing down the Crabble slope and started the game better than Dover. The OC's pack was their main strength and it put Dover under pressure early on from the lineout using the catch and drive tactic and although Dover's pack was combative in defence the referee penalised them for offside. The early shot at goal was pushed wide by the OC's fly half but Dover again were soon under the cosh. Dover tried to take play into the opposition half but penalised again they had to defend a 5 metre lineout. Fortunately for Dover OC's lineout failed and Foster came up with the ball. Phillips tactical kicking was superb and Dover at last could set a platform to attack. Phase after phase they advanced up the pitch, Ben Sedgwick at scrum half orchestrating the pack until the backs could be released. Dover created the overlap and should have gone in at the corner but the ball was knocked forward and they would have to build again. OC's had cleared the ball back to halfway but slick lineout ball and the back row trio of Foster, Farris and Chandler combined to advance play 30 metres quick ball at the ruck and OC's defence was scrambling, they were penalised 10 metres out in front of the post, Greg Phillips duly obliged to give Dover a 3-0 lead after 20mins. The OC's restart was again deep, Foster secured the ball and Phillips found touch with his trusty boot to take play 30 metres from the Dover line. OC's won the lineout and again tried to use their forwards to push Dover back, Dover's defence was again solid but OC's had set the ruck and their fly half had the space to slot a drop goal from 25 metres 3-3. OC's seemed to gain some inspiration for this and for the next 10 minutes Dover were on the back foot although as in recent weeks their defensive line was solid and they held the visitors at bay. It was then Dover's turn to cut loose firstly stealing the ball at the lineout through Chandler and the back row again combining to take play into the 22. Three, four, five phases Dover pushed on until Ben Sedgwick spotted the gap at the side of the ruck to score the try, the conversion slipped wide but Dover were back in front. Charlie Halls was again performing well and it was he that managed to turn over possession in OC's 22 following another fine territorial kick by Phillips. Dover should have scored again but a loose ball was knocked on with the try line begging. This was the first time this season Dover had reached half time with a lead and with them having the advantage of the slope it was time for the floodgates to open.
Dover didn't start the second half as desired and OC's pinned them back with the boot, indecision was putting Dover under pressure and they were fortunate to win a penalty to relieve the pressure and take play back to halfway. Dover won the lineout and pressed forward in the backs but again spilt the ball forward. OC's won the resultant scrum but quick thinking from Lee Tonks saw him intercept a pass at inside centre to run clear supported by his centre partner of Nathan Annakie who went in to score under the posts , Phillips added the extras and Dover had moved to a 15-3 lead with 3 minutes of the second half gone. Dover were now totally dominating all areas of the game but seemed to take their foot off the pedal, OC's to their credit threw everything at Dover but the home sides defence was a brick wall.
Pat Sykes replaced Annakie in the centre to fire Dover back into life, it didn't take long. Dover won a scrum on half way, Sedgwick set the backs away and Sykes powered through the centres supported by L Tonks who fed No.8 Chandler to score the try, Phillips again added the extras as Dover advanced to a 22-3 lead. Dave Sluman replaced D Tonks in the second row and Dover looked to go again. Dover were now playing in perfect Harmony and OC's had no answer as seven players combined this time Foster the beneficiary as he went over to score Dover's fourth try to secure the bonus point, Phillips added the conversion and Dover were now 29-3 ahead. Points difference is always important in the league and Dover needed to take the opportunity to keep the scoreboard ticking over as well as shutting the visitors out. This was made a little harder when L Tonks was shown a Yellow card for being caught offside in the red zone but as in recent weeks when Dover had a man in the sin bin everyone else raised their game. A succession of 5 metre lineouts for OC's were again defended brilliantly and Dover scrambled the ball clear through Phillips. Dover stole the ball again at the lineout but over extravagance again saw the ball knocked forward. Dover's scrum had been solid all afternoon and Foster stole the ball to feed Sykes who powered his way down the pitch to score a try out wide, the conversion missed Dover led 34 -3. All credit to OC's they continued to try and attack but Dover pounced on any mistakes. The ball loose on the floor it was Sluman who was first to the ball and managed to hack it forward, again first to the ball he hacked forward again and Farris following up gleefully pounced on the bobbling ball to go over for Dover's sixth try under the posts, Phillips added the extras for a 41-3 lead.
Robinson replaced Farris and Townley by Annakie for the final minutes. Dover should of scored again Eldridge breaking through the line with only the full back to beat but his pass to Annakie didn't go to hand. The referee blew the final whistle Dover had advanced up the league to joint 3rd after this six try feast. There were once again many outstanding performances on the day but Ben Sedgwick was selected as man of the match by match ball sponsor PSL Freight for orchestrating the backs and forwards in perfect harmony. Next week Dover face another tough away trip at Havant who last season were in the national league.
Team:
COOPER, SAVAGE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, CHANDLER, SEDGWICK, PHILLIPS, HALLS, L TONKS, N ANNAKIE, TOWNLEY, ELDRIDGE, ROBINSON, SLUMAN, SYKES
Scorers:
TRIES: BEN SEDGWICK, NATHAN ANNAKIE, LOGAN CHANDLER, JON FOSTER, PAT SYKES, JAMIE FARRIS
CONVERSIONS: PHILLIPS x 4
PENALTIES: PHILLIPS x 1 - 26 September 2012 19:36193165top class report and photos again ian, at least there was no nail biting finish to leave the supporters on edge. you mention there being a large crowd there, as it is free admission there can be no way of assessing exact numbers but would be your estimate?
- 26 September 2012 19:49193171I would hazard a guess somewhere between 60 to 80 which doesn't sound a lot but it is for us.
We get more when the club host a dinner for the VIP's. - 27 September 2012 11:12193235Ian..oh dear! some of your early pictures in the thread have gone. You probably have deleted the codes from the upload box. Best not to do that as once these codes are deleted the pictures go with them leaving blank spaces or red x's depending on which system viewers are using. And they are excellent pictures too.email: dover7@msn.com
- 27 September 2012 13:41193244Thanks Paul, I'll keep that in mind in the future.
- 1 October 2012 08:38193669HAVANT 26 V DOVER 27
Dover's trip to Havant at the weekend wasn't made any easier with many changes to the starting line up even as late as Friday night and to cap that the M25 meant the journey to Havant took 4 ½ hours. The hosts Havant and the referee agreed to a half hour delay in kick off so that Dover could have a quick warm up before the start.
Havant kicked off and Dover settled quickly testing the Havant defence with a succession of pick and go's this seemed like a useful tactic but were penalised 30 metres from their own goal. Havant opted to kick for early points but it slipped wide. Dover were soon back in possession a knock on from the 22 drop out earning Dover their first scrum. The scrum wheeled through 90 degrees and Havant were given the put in, they looked to kick to the corner but Richard Eldridge at full back bosses his 22 accepted the ball and advanced 50 metres up the pitch. Unfortunately there was a lack of support at the breakdown and Havant came back at Dover. The next 10 minutes saw possession ebb and flow both sides making crucial errors when they seemed to be in the ascendency. Dover's first real chance came after 13 minutes a penalty 30 metres out but Dover opted for touch rather than goal, the lineout was won but the ball was knocked forward and Havant could again relieve the pressure. Dover were first to correct the errors and started to play with real composure. The forwards settled things down with four pick and go's, this sucked in the opposition defence, Greg Phillips spotted the gap to dart through with Nathan Annakie's intelligent line of running opening up the defence and he received the ball to score a well-constructed try under the posts, Phillips added the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Nathan Annekie
Greg Phillips
Dover should have capitalised on this as they started to dominate but the long journey made them lethargic which added to the mistakes. They earnt another penalty from the Havant second row's high tackle which earnt him a yellow card. Again Phillips kicked to the corner but Dover's lineout failed another opportunity missed. This buoyed Havant into a response quick ball saw them advance to halfway, Pat Sykes was sin binned for holding on in the tackle and Dover too were down to 14 players. Havant seized their opportunity and attacked wide to score in the corner although it looked like Eldridge had bundled the winger into touch before the ball was grounded, Havant added the conversion from out wide to bring the scores level at 7 - 7. More pain was to follow as the half drew to a close, Dover were again on the attack but some indecision in midfield saw the ball intercepted, the Havant centre sprinting the 70 metres to score under the posts, the try converted Dover trailed 14-7 at half time.
Dover got the second half underway knowing that if they cut out the mistakes they could turn this around. Havant started the better and were soon on the offensive only a try saving tackle from Sam McNamara saving the day. Dover were still under pressure and concede a kickable penalty which was missed. Both sides were back to 15 and Dover shuffled things round Farris was replaced, Lewis Hopgood took to the field for his league debut at full back, Sykes was back into his favoured centre role, Chandler back into the back row and Eldridge moved to scrum half. As the players settled into their new roles Havant seized the opportunity to score another converted try, Dover now 21-10 down with 30 minutes to go. Dover need something special so that they could start to attack. It was Richard Hayward that had the intelligence and audacity to kick and chase from his own 22. The ball bobbling 10 metres from the Havant line Annakie, McNamara and Hayward applied the pressure on the fullback and stole possession, quick ball from Eldridge to Phillips the ball was sent wide to winger Charlie Halls to score his first ever league try out wide. Phillips conversion was again good as Dover moved to within 4 points.
Charlie Halls
Greg Hewer replaced Lucas at prop to try and steady the scrum. Dover were soon within a point Phillips kicking for territory and as Havant scrambled in defence they conceded a penalty in front of the posts, Phillips kicked the goal the score now 21-20. Dover looked to be in the ascendancy again but they started to make mistakes as they pushed for a winning score. Havant were making a real game of this and came back at Dover helped on their way by a large partisan crowd. Dover were now under the cosh Havant relentless in their pursuit for victory, it looked like they may of sneaked it with 5 minutes left on the clock, using their forwards to batter their way to the try line and score. It proved crucial that the conversion was missed with Dover still within a converted try. Lucas made his way back on the pitch for Hewer. Phillips restart was high and Dover applied the pressure as Havant tried to control possession, it was Chris Lucas that stripped the opposition of possession and set the platform for Dover to attack. Quick ball from Eldridge found its way to Pat Sykes to power over and score under the posts 26 - 25, Phillips added the conversion as Dover moved into the lead 26-27 with 3 minutes to go.
Pat Sykes
Kirk Savage replaced Lee Ambrose at hooker for the final minutes. Havant still thought they could win and threw everything at Dover but the Sharks held firm for a superb away win. Man of the Match this week was a hard call all 18 players playing their part in particular Greg Phillips 100% accuracy with his boot but the award goes to Richard Hayward for a solid performance at No.8 which steadied Dover and provided them the impetus for Dover to get back in the game.
Richard Hayward
This victory has given Dover their best ever start to a London One South campaign next week they face Wimbledon at Crabble who are one place above the Sharks, kick off is at 3pm.
Team:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), SLUMAN, BLOWERS, FARRIS, HAYWARD, SYKES, PHILLIPS, HALLS, CHANDLER, N.ANNAKIE, McNAMARA, ELDRIDGE, HEWER, SAVAGE, HOPGOOD.
Scorers:
TRIES: Nathan Annakie, Charlie Halls and Pat Sykes
Conversions: Greg Phillips x 3
Penalties: Greg Phillips x 2 - 1 October 2012 15:12193715cut it fine again there ian taking the lead with 3 points remaining, reading these reports suggests that the teams in this league are well matched, only last weeks game was won comfortably.
excellent report and photos again, hopefully people looking in may go along to a match to see for themselves. - 1 October 2012 15:56193729Dover are at home this Saturday against Wimbledon who are one place above us in the league in 3rd.
Should be a close game. Hopefully not as close Saturdays game. - 10 October 2012 17:58195256DOVER 14 v Wimbledon 45
Dover were in buoyant mood after four straights win but unfortunately Wimbledon brought them back down to earth with a bump at Crabble on Saturday. Influential captain Dale Tonks was missing through injury, Lee Ambrose taking on the role as Dover took to the pitch on yet another sunny afternoon.
Aaron Cooper
Wimbledon kicked off playing down the Crabble slope with the sun on their backs and within two minutes opened the scoring. Wimbledon threw everything at Dover from the start and was awarded an early scrum from which they produced quick ball, stopped initially in midfield Dover had no answer to the speed in which the ball was moved wide for the visitors to score in the corner, the conversion missed Dover looked shell shocked behind 5-0. Wimbledon again dominated from the restart as Dover appeared to be a yard of the pace. In the early exchanges the normally dominant scrum was creaking and it was from one of these that saw Wimbledon gain their second try after 10 minutes after a succession of missed tackles, the try converted Dover now trailed by 12-0. Wimbledon added more within minutes of the restart. Dover did make the tackle but were caught offside on halfway the referee played advantage which Wimbledon appeared to kick away but with Dover back in possession the official pulled play back for the penalty unfortunately for Dover he had forgotten were the offence took place and awarded the penalty 10 metres further up the pitch which made the shot at goal far easier as Dover slipped 15-0 behind. Wimbledon were playing with true professionalism pouncing on any Dover mistake and moved further ahead after 20 minutes, a succession of missed tackles saw Dover's defence scrambling conceded only their second penalty of the afternoon 5 metres from the Dover line. As Dover try to organise a quick tap saw their flanker cross Dover's line for another converted try 22-0. Things did improve for Dover as they brought on the old guard of Robinson & Hewer to steady the rocking ship. At last Dover started to move forward, Richard Eldridge giving Dover some territory from his boot. Dover won only their second lineout of the day from 10 metres out and the pack combined to push closer to the line. Three consecutive penalties 5 metres out Dover continued to push, Hewer looked to of crossed the line but was stopped from grounding the ball. Wimbledon's defence was rock solid and when Dover did gain the upper hand they would slow play down or deliberately kill the ball, the referee did award the penalties but after eight offences in 12 minutes surely a card would have prevented it from continuing. Dover limped towards half-time having managed to stem the purple tide but with no points of their own.
Dover had come back from similar margins already this season but this was not to be. As Phillips got the second half under way there was some hope as Dover took play down to the bottom left hand corner looking for their first score but Wimbledon were more than equal and when they stole possession moved swiftly up the pitch to score their fourth try as Dover slipped 29-0 behind this was looking like a whitewash. Dover brought on Pat Sykes for Sam McNamara but even that didn't stem the flow. Wimbledon were dominating all areas except the scrum and as in the first half were happy to concede penalties to slow any Dover attack down. This frustrated the home side although the referee did sin bin the Wimbledon prop for stamping on a Dover player at a ruck an offence which on another day seen the colour of the card red. Although down to 14 Wimbledon continued to play their game and added to their tally with a fifth try, converted 36-0 all Dover had to play for was pride. Pleasingly Dover did muster some pride and again took play to within 5 metres of the Wimbledon line again they were penalised their 21st offence which again saw one of their players sin binned. Dover fought on although initially choosing wrong options as the pieced together four phases of play prop Aaron Cooper found himself in the backline as he danced through the Wimbledon defence to score under the posts, Richard Eldridge added the conversion 36-7. Dover now had the upper hand and were winning plenty of ball and crossed the line again within minutes this time Pat Sykes crashing over, Eldridge again adding the extras to take the score to 36-14. Unfortunately that was Dover's last points of the afternoon; Wimbledon added 3 late penalties to take the final score to 45-14.
On the day Dover were beaten by a better team and there is no shame in that. Richard Eldridge won the man of the match for Dover for his tireless efforts in both defence and attack. Dover will dust themselves off over the week in preparation for another tough game away at Basingstoke this Saturday.
Richard Eldridge
TEAM:
COOPER, AMBROSE (Capt.), LUCAS, BLOWERS, SLUMAN, FOSTER, CHANDLER, HAYWARD, SEDGWICK, PHILLIPS, McNAMARA, L TONKS, N ANNAKIE, TOWNLEY, ELDRIDGE, HEWER, ROBINSON & SYKES.
SCORERS:
TRIES: AARON COOPER, PAT SYKES
CONVERSIONS: ELDRIDGE x 2 - 10 October 2012 20:07195262i suppose that stuffed would be a good summing up of the result ian, thanks again for the excellent write up and photos, brings it all to life for us.
