Old Colfeians 9 V Dover 13
With Dover showing some decent form of late they travelled to bottom side Old Colfs on Saturday anticipating a win. Dover had a few players unavailable which offered an opportunity for two players to make debuts, Aaro Katainen and Mauno Konnitila both Finnish internationals developing their skills with Dover rugby club and a welcome return on the wing for Charlie Halls. As the first real blast of winter chilled the bones Dover attacked down the slope with the wind for the first half.
Old Colfeians kicked off with the ball going straight to touch Dover had possession with the scrum back on halfway. Dover's attacking intent was obvious from the first play Lee Tonks hitting a crash ball to make good ground. Dover's pack flexed their muscles winning phase after phase. Greg Phillips attempted chip went straight to touch and Old Colfeians could take a breather or so they thought with their lineout. Dover's defensive lineout has improved game bt game and again Ed Blowers stole opposition ball. Jamie Farris provided the link and as Dover started to doiminate OC's were penalised 20 metres out for being offside. Greg Phillips boot ensured Dover took an early 3-0 lead. Old Colfeians were still in cuckoo land the restart finding Jon Foster who combined with Dave Sluman and Dale Tonks to set a ruck as they crossed halfway. Ben Crawford saw the space and his box kick was gathered by a rampaging Lee Ambrose supported by Aaron Cooper who although was stopped 5 metres from the line had Jamie Farris on hand to pass to and he scored the try under the posts.
Phillips added the extras and Dover had strolled into a 10-0 lead. OC's again restarted and were put back under pressure as Blowers gathered the high ball and Phillips sent the ball back into the 22. Dover pressed hard over exuberance at the ruck giving a penalty to OC's. They kicked to touched to ease the pressure but the lineout not straight and Dover were again in possession. The scrum as solid as ever sloppy passing in the backs meant Dover were well behind the gainline, Richard Eldridge was there to clear up but his run was halted by a slip and the ball rolling from his grasp. It would be fair to say that Dover had found the early exchanges easy but a lack of concentration had meant the score hadn't increased despite all the possession. It was 20 minutes before OC's posed any threat, a missed tackle in midfield put them on the front foot and as Dover scrambled in defence they were caught offside. OC's took the opportunity for a shot at goal, accurate Dover had a 10-3 lead. Dover's restart from Eldridge gave Dover a chance to pressurize OC's straight away, Ambrose unlucky to knock the ball forward for an OC scrum just outside their 22. The referee was starting to spoil the game and from then on it never flowed, at every breakdown he blew his whistle ( maybe it was a Christmas present) this did nothing but frustrate both sets of players and spectators alike. Dover were penalised once too often and Foster was sent to the bin for preventing a quick penalty. With a numerical advantage OC's seemed inspired putting Dover under the cosh. It paid dividends with the help of the referee, another penalty and 3 points for the home team 10-6. Once Foster had returned Dover could again look to attack in numbers which the did when the referee allowed although his baffling decisions continued, Dover continually penalised without any explanation the referee unwilling to instruct the players. Finally Dover won a penalty of their own again for no reason except the referee hadn't used his whistle for 90 seconds. Phillips opted for posts from 35 metres the wind sending it wide. The ball dead and OC's had a 22 dropout, if the ball went dead it would be halftime, Oc's would have been delighted to get there just 4 points down but a schoolboy error from the dropout saw it go to touch without crossing the 22 and Dover were gifted a penalty in front of the posts. Phillips this time accurate Dover lead by 7 points 13-6 at the break.
The half-time team talk was about possession and composure with these Dover could secure another away win. Johnnie Walker-Smith replaced Lee Ambrose in the front row with Aaron Cooper moving to hooker. The second half started very slowly OC's game plan was to use the wind to kick and hope. It was a tactic that could of worked but Eldridge was as safe as ever at fullback and when OC's did get the bounce of the ball Dover's mighty pack was there to clear up the trouble. As the scores stayed the same coach Tonks made a second change Aaro Katainen replacing Dave Sluman in the pack. Dover were still camped in their own territory but the packs dominace paid dividends and the referee let the game flow at last. Dover attacked from right to left sucking the defence in as the ball came back the other way Charlie halls supported by Nathan Annakie and Farris crashed into the 22. Dover arrived in numbers the referee blew for a Dover penalty , it was presumed for the punch Lee Tonks had received from the OC's No. 9 but the penalty was reversed as Tonks tried to free his assailants grip. Worse than that he was shown a yellow card his assailant unpunished. As Lee walked from the field questioning the decision the referee stamped his authority by issuing him a red card. Dover down to 14 players for 25 minutes this was going to be no picnic. OC's kicked the penalty to touch on halfway but they had forgotten Dover's defensive lineout was superior and again Dover stole the ball. Dover had no option to keep it tight starving OC's of any ball. Dover made a third change Mauno Konnitila on for the injured Jamie Farris.
The game ebbed and flowed Dover not allowing OC's any quality ball and when in possession the pack ground their way into OC's territory. This may not of been textbook rugby but it proved effective as OC's failed to cross halfway except with the boot. It was Dover who came closest to scoring Annakie on the crash supported by Chandler stopped just short of the line. Dover continued to press through Chris Lucas and as Dover put on the drive to get him over the line the referee had again spotted something from deep inside the maul. A scrum his decision but rather than it take place the whistle was blown for one last time, Dover victorious.
Away wins are always difficult to achieve and this one was well deserved. Dover proved themselves a team as they worked hard together in the face of adversity, the Dover pack led by their skipper was immense and it is no surprise that one of those unsung heroes picked up the man of the match award. Prop Chris Lucas dominated his opposite man and worked hard all game to help the team reach their goal. We know that the game can't take place without a referee and indeed I take my hat off to them but it would be more palatable if Saturday's had realised the game is about the two teams and not the individual.
Next week Dover entertain Havant at Crabble with a 14.15 kick off. The game promises to be another thriller as an in form Havant side look to get their own back on Dover's smash and grab raid back in October.
