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Latest report from Dover Rugby 1st Team.
Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the game as had a prior engagement so no photos this week.
Basingstoke73 v Dover 0
After last weeks defeat Dover travelled to Basingstoke to try and get things back on track but by the final whistle Dover had been derailed leaving players and coaches scratching their heads in disbelief.
Dover played into the sun as Basingstoke got proceedings under way. Dover failed to gather the kick and Basingstoke took full advantage using their bulky pack to take play into Dover's 22. The sucked in the Dover defence in and spun the ball wide to open the scoring with a converted try after just 2 minutes. Things didn't improve, Phillips restart found its way into the hand of the Basingstoke pack who dominated Dover in the loose enabling the ball to be shipped wide, McNamara and Townley forcing a knock on for a Dover scrum. Dover's scrum creaked and turned through 90 degrees to hand possession back to Basingstoke. Dover's pack almost turned over possession but the ball again found its way out wide, Dover defended well but were penalised for offside and the B's opted for a shot at goal. The ball slipped wide but it didn't stop the onslaught. Phillips 22 dropout was run back at the Dover defence and again it was sucked in as the ball was moved wide for the winger to scorch over in the corner, 14-0 after 8 minutes. Phillips got the game back underway, Ed Blowers bursting through to secure Dover possession. The forwards played through a couple of phases and Eldridge set the backs away but they were a little static and the B's defence soon snuffed out any danger. Dover tried to attack again this time from a lineout, they set a rolling maul which made initial inroads but once stopped the ball wasn't recycled and Basingstoke were back in possession. A combination of speedy backs and missed tackles added to Dover's woes as the home team added their third try of the afternoon despite the best efforts of Jon Foster. Dover looked shell shocked and things didn't get any better. Basingstoke exploited the gaps and crossed Dover's line for a fourth time shortly after. Dover now trailed 28-0 after 25 minutes. Dover's players looked round for inspiration, Nathan Annakie turned over possession in midfield and Dover were on the front foot. Charlie Halls was stopped 10 metres out and Dover played through the phases winning a succession of penalties which saw the B's no.7 sent to the sin bin. Dover continued to press and indeed had the better of the final 15 minutes of the half but they couldn't make the advantage count. The half time score 28-0 there was still some hope for Dover, the pack had started to gain the upper hand at the set piece an injection of pace and urgency would be needed to reward their hard work. Dave Sluman replaced Jamie Farris and Phillips got the second half underway.
Basingstoke started the half using their pack to set the platform and move the ball wide. Dover seemed to have learnt a lesson from the first half and put their bodies on the line, they were unfortunate to concede a penalty for offside and Basingstoke added three more points to their tally. Phillips again restarted play and again Basingstoke turned the screw, again the defence held firm and again Dover were penalised. Basingstoke kicked for touch and although the ball had crossed the line in goal the referee awarded them a 5 metre lineout. Dover competed well but were again penalised, Basingstoke took a quick tap Lee Tonks making the tackle but sin binned for being offside despite starting from behind the try line. This injustice knocked the stuffing out of Dover as B's scored another try and Dover were down to 14 players. Danny Robinson replaced Chris Lucas in the front row as Dover tried to stop the rot. This was to be an afternoon when nothing worked and any mistakes were compounded by Basingstoke scoring at every opportunity. Even when Dover were in the ascendency somehow Basingstoke could get from one end of the pitch to the other with little resistance. The score ticked on 45-0, 52-0 but pleasingly Dover refused to give up trying. Lewis Hopgood took to the field for the final 10 minutes with Jon Foster leaving the field battered and bruised having given everything he could. The scoreboard continued to tick over eventually reaching 73-0 before the final whistle blew. Dover had suffered their heaviest London One South defeat and despite this there are a few players who deserve special mention for their efforts Foster, Blowers and Cooper were the pick of the forwards whilst winger Halls when he did receive any ball always crossed the gain line.
Dover may have suffered a heavy defeat but you can be assured all involved are digging deep for answers to the failings on the day and all will learn the lessons and move forward together. This Saturday Dover faces East Grinstead who are currently undefeated this year. Kick Off at Crabble will be 3pm.
Team:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, CHANDLER, ELDRIDGE, PHILLIPS, HALLS, L TONKS, N ANNAKIE, McNAMARA, TOWNLEY, ROBINSON, SLUMAN, HOPGOOD.
