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SIDCUP 17 V DOVER 23
After three straight away defeats a tough trip away to Sidcup would need something special if Dover were to win on the road. Dover produced an awe inspiring second half performance to finally shake off the travelling hoodoo.
Dover played into the wind for the first half as Sidcup started the match. The game started with the usual vigour a deep kick fielded by Ryan Davison and cleared to touch by Greg Phillips back to halfway. Sidcup used there forwards to make yards but Dover held there advances. A succession of scrums from knock ons by both sides saw Sidcup have an upper hand in the set-piece. Although Sidcup gained territory they couldn't advance nearer than 10 metres of the Dover line. The ball was turned over at the ruck by Jon Foster with skipper Dale Tonks and Davison in support they took play 10 metres with Phillips on hand to clear a further 20 metres for another Sidcup lineout. Sidcup changed their plan and rather than run the ball the kicked for territory. Dover's defence again scrambled and cleared the ball to touch but only 10 metres from their line. Again Dover's defence was solid and turnover possession. Both sides embarked on a game of kicking tennis both looking for field position or a mistake. Sidcup sniffed a chance and ran the ball back a few wholes appearing in the previously solid line. Dover regrouped and seemed to of frustrated their hosts but they were caught offside and Sidcup had penalty within 20 metres. The kick at goal was good and Sidcup had taken the lead 3-0 after 18 minutes. The lead didn't last for long. Phillips restart dropped just outside their hosts 22, was back for a kick straight to touch meant Dover had the lineout on the 22. Skipper Tonks secured the ball, his pack attempted the driving maul, progress slow scrum half Ben Crawford released the backs, Annakies dummy run opened the space for blindside winger Logan Chandler to punch through with the full back to beat, he drew him into a challenge as he sent full-back in at the corner for a textbook try, the conversion missed by a whisker as Dover crept ahead by 2 points. The restart was again sent to touch by Phillips, a Sidcup lineout 40 metres out. Again Dover defended well as Sidcup advanced only 10 metres. Again they kicked for territory forcing Dover to concede a lineout 15 metres out. The tackles came in from Dover and Sidcup bided their time until enough Dover players were involved in the contact area to produce an overlap. Eventually it came, Sidcup going in at the corner for a converted try, retaking the lead 10-5. Head Coach Tonks made his first change, Ed Blowers replacing young Matt Suter in the second row. Sidcup had the better of the final 10 minutes and although Dover defended valiantly, the referee was getting frustrated by the penalty count eventually awarding the penalty try; an easy conversion Dover undeservedly trailed 17-5 at half time.
Dover rallied with a rousing half time talk from the head coach. He made his second change, Aaron Cooper replaced by the human wrecking ball John Walker Smith. Phillips got the game back underway and Dover started full of belief. Dover kick chase was superb forcing Sidcup into an early mistake and Dover had the scrum. The impact of Walker-Smith was immediate destroying his opposite man as Dover made good ground. Dover tried to punch holes through the backline but the home side defended for 10 minutes as Dover continued to press. Phillips finally saw an opportunity a delicate chip over the top causing problems for Cup's full back, Nathan Annakie pounced and stole the ball, the full back recovered to prevent him scoring but scrum-half Crawford was on hand to take the pass and score, Jack Ayling slotted the conversion Dover now trailing 17-12. Dover from then on controlled the game slowly they played from their 22 kicking to touch. Sidcup couldn't get the ball back over half way and Dover started to turn the screw. An error from Cup and Dover were awarded the scrum. Again Dover's second half dominance showed, Foster forcing a penalty and Jack Ayling volunteering for the kick 40 metres out. The kick dissected the posts Dover now just 2 points behind with 20 minutes to go. Dover could sniff victory, all fifteen players putting in a remarkable team performance. The backs complimenting the forwards and vice versa. Sidcup couldn't cope with the pressure Davison picked from the base of another dominant scrum making 15 metres the off load didn't quite reach Ayling and Sidcup had a minor reprieve. They managed to take play to 45 metres from their line but another Foster tackle with Farris in support Sidcup didn't release the ball and Dover had another penalty. Ayling again took responsibility and again the kick sailed through the posts Dover had taken the lead 17-18. The home support was vocal but the handful that had made the journey up from Dover could be heard. The atmosphere intense Sidcup conceded another penalty as Phillips was taken late from a kick ahead, Crawford didn't hear the whistle and continued to play sacking the Cup winger in his 22. This annoyed the hosts with both sides trading blows Crawford and the Cup winger were sent to the bin for a cool down and the penalty reversed giving Sidcup a chance to clear the danger. With 12 minutes to go Sidcup did enjoy a brief spell of possession, again unable to break the Dover defence they kicked into space just outside the Dover 22. The kicker was taken late the punishment a penalty 30 metres out. Sidcup failed to seize the opportunity the kick scuffed Dover cleared to touch through Eldridge. Dover rolled its final dice Dave Sluman replacing Ed Blowers in the second row for the final 8 minutes. Sidcup won the lineout and attempted a kick over the top, the ball was safe in Phillips hands and rather than kick it back Walker Smith took the ball on the charge knocking his opposite man 10 metres down the park, Dover again had the momentum. Sidcup managed to stop him Dover had the territory but lost possession. Sidcup could only find touch and with two minutes to go, the sin binned players returned the home supporters trying to urge their team on. Dover soon silenced them for good Walker Smith again smashing his way through Dover flooded the breakdown and Foster was on hand to score Dover's 3rd try. The conversion missed Dover led 23-17 with a minute to go. Sidcup did win a further penalty which they had no option than to run but again Dover stood shoulder to shoulder and shut the door. Sidcup knocked on and Eldridge kicked to touch to win the game.
This was one of the most remarkable second half performances I have been privileged to watch. To score 18 unanswered points and prevent the opposition from crossing halfway more than twice with ball in hand showed how dominant Dover was. All eighteen players played their part in a great team performance special mention to Jack Ayling for his amazing penalty kicks, Jon Foster for his menace at the breakdown but the Man of the Match undoubtedly was John Walker-Smith, his arrival for the second half turning the game on its head giving Dover the momentum to finally win away. Dover now has their festive break. They host Hove at Crabble on Sat 5th Jan kick-off 2.15pm, let's hope the first performance of 2013 matches the last of 2012.
Team:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS(Capt.), SUTER, FOSTER, FARRIS, DAVISON, CRAWFORD, PHILLIPS, CHANDLER, AYLING, ANNAKIE, TOWNLEY, ELDRIDGE, WALKER-SMITH, BLOWERS, SLUMAN
Scorers:
Tries: ELDRIDGE, CRAWFORD, FOSTER
Conversions: AYLING x1
Penalties AYLING x 2
