DOVER 23 V HOVE 16
After a three week Christmas break rugby returned to Crabble. What a superb start to the year with Dover fielding four sides in their respective leagues and all four sides victorious. Dover's first XV buoyed by a victory over Sidcup pre-Christmas trained hard through the break and it paid dividends against an in form Hove side who sit just above Dover in the league.
Skipper Dale Tonks won the toss and Dover elected to play up the Crabble slope for the first half. Hove starting proceedings with a high kick which caught Dover napping and accidentally off side with a scrum Hove the result. Hove won a scrappy first set-piece but they showed there intent spreading the ball to the backs, Dover were equal to the threat Lee Tonks turning over possession and Greg Phillips clearing the ball up the pitch with his boot. Hove returned the kick only to the arms of full-back Richard Eldridge. Dover settled and used the pack to pick and go up the park, although slow progress was being made it was effective with Dover awarded a penalty as Hove dived over the top at the ruck. Phillips opted for posts from 35 metres just pushing the kick wide. Hove's 22 dropout passed halfway Phillips returning the kick looking for territorial advantage, the development a game of aerial Ping-Pong until Hove found touch 10 metres from the Dover line. Dover's lineout improving week on week secured the ball and the forwards trundled out of their 22 only to be penalised for holding on in the tackle. Hove seized the opportunity to put points on the board and took a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Phillips restart was high and Dover arrived in numbers Jon Foster stole possession and Dover were soon within 5 metres of the Hove line. Dover again secure lineout ball through Dale Tonks the drive going nowhere the ball was spread to the backs, as the gap developed the ball was knocked on; Dover had missed an opportunity for a perfect repost. Dover did manage to bring parity to the score line with their next foray into Hove territory. Again the pack doing the donkey work, well marshalled by scrum-half Ben Crawford. Hove penalised in front of the posts and Richard Eldridge slotting the ball over for 3-3. Hove came straight back at Dover, although winning the ball they again played it tight to suck in the Hove defence but players became isolated and Dover were penalised in front of their own posts Hove frustratingly back into a 3 point lead within 2 minutes. Phillips restart was again high and effective, Dover winning a lineout within 15 metres of the Hove line. Again secure ball Hove managed to somehow turnover possession on the floor and kick the ball clear. Dover were showing signs of frustration and the discipline slipped, a penalty was kicked to touch 30 metres out and Hove regained possession to attack through the backs. There was a missed tackle but the cover was good and the danger looked to have been neutralised as Dover turned over possession but the referee had spotted an offside 20 metres from play on the wing. Hove initially signalled posts and Dover lined up to cover this for the kicker to tap and go to score in the corner, initially the referee awarded the try until it was pointed out the tee had entered the field of play for the previously signalled kick for goal. The try ruled out Hove kicked the penalty at goal to move 6 points ahead with 5 minutes of the half to play. This seemed to give Dover a kick up the backside and they worked hard to win the ball back as Hove crossed halfway. Dover a little flat in the backline had few options Phillips placing a speculative chip over the top for Ben Sedgwick to run on to. Hove looked favourites as two of their players arrived at the ball first but Sedgwick swooped like an eagle to scoop the ball and run the final 10 metres to score under the posts, Eldridge added the conversion Dover had finally taken the lead 10-9 as the half drew to a close.
Head Coach Graham Tonks made two half-time changes prop Chris Lucas replaced by Johnnie Walker-Smith and Dave Sluman replacing Jamie Farris.
Richard Eldridge got the second half underway, Dover defensive line pressed hard putting pressure on Hove it was Jon Foster who again stole the ball. The pack played two phases sucking in the Hove defence. Crawford released the backs slick hands and straight running Sedgwick found the gap to scamper within 10 metres, finding Logan Chandler outside him as he took the tackle Chandler went over to score in the corner, the conversion missed Dover led 15-9 but lost Sedgwick through injury, Nathan Annakie replacing him in the centres. Dover came straight back from the restart Walker-Smith battering his way up front supported by Tonks and Sluman. Dover was rampant and pressed forward into Hove's 22. The visitors did manage to slow down Dover's advance but Eldridge added to his tally with a drop goal from 25 metres 18-9 Dover. Hove did dust themselves off and come back at Dover forcing a 5 metre lineout. Dover's defence was again solid kicking to touch 20 metres up the park. Hove won their lineout and used the backs to attack. Again solid defence Dover stole possession and looked to of opened up the Hove defence again the ball just passed forward for a Hove scrum on halfway. An early engagement saw a free kick awarded to Dover, Hove expected the kick but Dover ran the ball, quick thinking and good hands Phillips Tonks and Foster combined and Davison was sent through the gap at pace 30 metres out. Townley was always in support as Davison powered over to score in the corner, a difficult conversion was pushed wide, Dover now 14 points ahead. Dover were forced into a change Lucas back on Ambrose off with Cooper moving to hooker.
Dover continued their dominance and should of increased their lead with a 5 man over at the breakdown. Unfortunately for Dover Lee Tonks took the law into his own hands to be sent to the sin bin and Hove kicked the penalty within 10 metres of the Dover line. Hove threw everything at Dover as they defended a man short. Eventually a penalty was conceded Hove desperate to take it quickly were prevented from doing so and Dover snuffed out the danger. The referee brought play back for another penalty and Sluman was sent to the bin for a professional foul. Dover now down to 13 players couldn't keep Hove out and with four minutes to go they scored a try also converted to move within 7 points. This was going to be another nail-biting end for Dover. Eldridges restart was deep and Dover did turnover possession and press the Hove line. Indeed Dover won their own 5 metre penalty but rather than keep it tight opted for posts. Eldridge's attempt missed and Hove preventing the ball going out of play attacked at pace. Hove were just about to cross half way as the Dover tackles flew in from Phillips and Chandler. Dover now back in numbers forced the knock on and with that the referee thankfully blew the whistle.
This was a good performance from Dover after a long layoff. There are still many things to work on but Dover can move into next week's game at Old Colfeians with great heart. Ben Crawford was Dover's Man of the match the link between forwards and backs seemingly always making the right decision.
Team:
COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D. TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, DAVISON, CRAWFORD, PHILLIPS, TOWNLEY, L. TONKS, SEDGWICK, CHANDLER, ELDRIDGE, WALKER-SMITH, SLUMAN, N ANNAKIE.
Scorers:
TRIES: Sedgwick, Chandler, Davison
Penalties: Eldridge x1
Conversions: Eldridge x1
Drop Goal: Eldridge x1
