DOVER U13 CROWNED EAST KENT CHAMPIONS!!!

For the second year in a row Dover have been crowned Champions of East Kent by beating local rivals Deal & Bettshanger 13 – 10 in a very closely fought Cup Final played at Thanet.

Dover beat Deal & Betts by playing more open rugby in what was a real team effort on the pitch and supported by the whole squad. Whilst Dover strived to play open attacking rugby Deals strategy was to get the ball to a couple of there massive 13 year olds. There No 8 who at over 6 foot and 16 stone is a real challenge to stop was stopped by Dover’s defiant tackling. There other man mountain that played at centre had more success in open play and scored two tries.

Dover through out played attacking Rugby and threatened Deals line on numerous occasions but Deal was determined in defence. The ball was linked well between forwards and backs with Jack Ricketts linking well. After 10 minutes Dover were attacking the scrum was won the ball passed out to the backs where Rob Godden was tackled 15 meters out. The ball was recycled quickly to Jarvis Otto who was tackled just short of the try line. Dover’s first try followed shortly where the ball was passed quickly along the line to Dan Eades who accelerated past the defence to score. Deal scored their first try just before half time to make it 5 all at half term.

In the second half Dover had far more ball than Deal and should have possibly scored more points. Dover now dominated in the scrum with the front five of Sturman, Castle, Yarnell, Smith and Ciano taking control and the back row of Jarvis, Moore and Norris were winning the rucks and mauls. From 10 metre out the ball scurried out the bak of a maul Sayers picked it up and tore through the defence to score the second try. Yarrnell converted a penalty to make it Dover 13 - 5. Deal then scored there second try to make it 13 -10 with a nail biting ten minutes to go. Dover maintained their lead to win the Cup for the second year in a row – a superb achievement.