Back to winning ways....
DOVER 56 v Trojans 15
After a lean October, Dover got back to winning ways on the first weekend of November. They faced a Trojans side that had travelled up from Southampton. John Walker-Smith made a stunning first team debut in this emphatic eight try victory.
Captain Dale Tonks won the toss and elected to play up the Crabble slope for the first half, Trojans got the game under way with a kick into Dover's 22. Farris received the ball and the forwards secured possession, Phillips kick failed to make touch and Trojans had an early chance to attack. They strung 10 phases of play together but unlike recent weeks Dover's defensive line was solid and could not be breached. Jamie Townley turned over possession in the tackle and quickly advanced play 40 metres up the pitch, an attempted offload failed to go to hand and Trojans would have the scrum. Dover's pack had been beefed up by the presence of debutant Walker-Smith and they proved far too strong for their Trojan counterparts. They powered them off the ball to put Dover back in possession. Again the pack dominated as they kept things tight and push forward, Walker-Smith making good ground supported by Ambrose and Tonks. Trojans soon sneaked off side giving Phillips a shot at goal after 5 minutes.
Greg Phillips
The kick good Dover should have started to settle with a 3-0 lead. Trojans restarted play and had the better of the next exchanges Dover's lineout was a little shaky which seemed to lift the visitors. They seized their first scoring opportunity Dover this time offside the Trojans penalty was sent through the posts to level the scores at 3-3. Dover pressed hard from the restart and did steal possession but was again offside and penalised; Trojans took a quick tap and managed to make 20 metres before being tackled into touch by Halls. Dover's lineout was back on cue with Blowers taking possession. Dover set the driving maul and made good ground, Sedgwick at scrum half set off the backs, Ayling going through on a crash ball. The Dover forwards were quick to the breakdown and again advanced up the pitch. Again Trojans had no answer to the "Pick and Go" and were penalised for offside. Phillips kicked to the corner for a Dover lineout. Blowers again gained possession and Dover set a driving maul halted 5 metres out, Walker-Smith reacted and took on the ball he was stopped just centimetres short but Jon Foster as ever was there in support to score Dover's first try, Phillips added the extras as Dover moved to a 10-3 lead. Trojans again kicked the restart deep with Halls carrying the ball back to the support of the pack Dover looked to advance again. Phillips kicked for territory but the ball came straight back hanging in the low winter sun it was not seen till late. Townley did brilliantly to scramble the ball clear picking up an injury in the process; this forced an early change with Erskine on and taking his place at scrum-half with Sedgwick moving to the wing. Dover stole possession at the lineout through Foster and Dover could again attack, as they opened up play Trojans halted proceedings knocking the ball forward but Dover had the scrum on halfway. A blindside move from Farris, Sedgwick and Eldridge was bundled into touch in the Trojans 22. Trojans won the lineout but couldn't clear the ball and full back Eldridge joined the backline to score the try. The conversion missed Dover increased their lead to 15-3. Dover inexplicably again slipped into slumber mode a missed tackle increasing the pressure Dover were penalised just 5 metres from their line. Still not focused on the task in hand Trojans saw the chink in the armour a quick tap and they were in under the posts for a converted try, 15-10. With the skippers words ringing in their ears Dover again started to play rugby. Winning a penalty on halfway Phillips kicked to touch 15 metres out. The Dover lineout was now on fire with Tonks controlling the ball the pack set the driving maul, it was Walker-Smith who broke off the back to score a superb forwards try, Phillips converted to take the halftime score to 22-10.
John Walker-Smith
Dover would now have the advantage of the slope for the second half, Phillips got play underway with a superb kick which Dover failed to capitalise on. With players assuming that others were going to make the tackle they allowed the Trojans fly half to skip through half a dozen tackles as he advanced 50 metres up the pitch, Eldridge and Ayling finally pulling him down and turning over possession. Townley back on from his injury was quick to react as he took play back into the Trojans 22, supported by the always supporting Foster who in turn fed his back row partner Farris to open the second half scoring and secure a bonus point, Phillips converted 29-10. Dover were back on the front foot from the restart, Foster again at the centre of things he made 30 yards before Blowers took play into the Trojans 22, Dover had plenty of options Trojans again infringed and Dover had the penalty in front of the posts. Phillips added the points as Dover moved 32-10 ahead. Coach Tonks made a change; Walker-Smith earning a rest was replaced by Robinson. Somehow as Dover re-organised Trojans scored a try against the run of play 32-15. Trojans looked to move the ball wide again from the restart but Jack Ayling again turned over possession in the tackle quick ball again found Townley he evaded 3 tacklers as he went in to score, the conversion missed, 37-15. Dover now dominated throughout again they put Trojans under pressure from a 5 metre scrum, again it was a classic forwards try this time Blowers being driven over for a try, converted 44-15. Dover made another 3 changes with skipper Tonks, Lucas and Lee Tonks making way for Walker-Smith after his breather, Sluman and Halls. Dover were soon again on the front foot Trojans had seeming given up as the evasive Foster crossed the line to score his second of the afternoon Phillips converted 51-15. It was up to Dover's new recruit to have the final say of the afternoon. Trojans looked to have stopped Dover scoring but Walker-Smith seized the opportunity to pick up and power his way over with three defenders hanging off him to underline an awe inspiring debut. Phillips just missed the conversion but Dover now has their confidence back with this impressive 56-15 win.
The Dover performance was superb in many areas and this week there were two Man of the Match awards with the two recipients truly outstanding. Walker-Smith was immense in the close combat and Foster cleared up everything that was lose which kept Dover going forward.
John Foster
This victory cements Dover into mid-table. Dover is away to Maidstone in the second round of the Kent Cup which will be played on Sunday with a 2pm kick off.
Team: LUCAS, AMBROSE, WALKER-SMITH, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER,FARRIS, CHANDLER, SEDGWICK, PHILLIPS, HALLS, AYLING, L TONKS, TOWNLET, ELDRIDGE, ROBINSON, SLUMAN, ERSKINE.
Scorers:
TRYS: FOSTER x2, WALKER-SMITH x 2, ELDRIDGE, BLOWERS, FARRIS, TOWNLEY,
Conversions: Phillips x 5
Penalties: Phillips x 2
