Written by Dick Collins

Dover made amends for last weeks disappointment with a hard fought victory over Colf’s, which now places them in 5th position in London 1 South. There were some harsh words exchanged following last weeks encounter and with a number of changes enforced through injury it was imperative that the hosts increased their level of intensity to overcome the visitors.

In brilliant sunshine and on a rock solid ground Colf’s had the advantage of the slope in the first half. The power of their pack was immediately on show when Dover’s no 8 was driven back 20 metres, with little support. Dover were subsequently penalised and from a lineout on Dover’s 22 Colf’s drove the distance for a well taken try. There followed a period of basic handling errors from Dover who were also turned over on a number of occasions which created further pressure. The hosts however rallied and their confidence gathered momentum and once the ball was spread wide the holes started to appear in the Colf’s defence. On the half hour Dover took the lead with an excellent score when full back Ben Sedgwick put Ricky Mackintosh into space and he bulldozed through the visitors defence. A superb miss pass followed and Mark Beaumont took receipt of the ball before passing to Lee Tonks for an easy touch down. Blair Charge added the extras. Colf’s pressurised and kicked deep into the Dover 22 and the home side defended well. Dover lost prop Chris Lucas to injury and he was replaced by the veteran Greg Hewer. In the closing minutes of the half a scuffle erupted in the scrum and although words of warning were given by the referee matters boiled over with Dover’s hooker Jack Tomlinson and Colf’s number 8 being shown straight reds for foul play. The Colf’s prop and pack leader’s unnecessary goading of the Dover player was the catalyst in the final flare up, which saw the visitor’s most influential player leaving the field for his involvement. Both packs had to re-arrange themselves and without a hooker Dan Robinson was forced to prop for the remainder of the game. The half finished with Dover in front with a narrow margin.

The second half started in Dover’s favour. Ben Murray was harassing his opposite number at the base and his work earned Dover a penalty that Charge slotted from 35 metres. Another penalty followed which again kept the score board ticking over. Dover were experiencing a few problems in the scrum but on the whole they held up well in the difficult circumstances. Open side Sam McNamara worked his socks off around the park and David Sluman and Dan Robinson were much improved with their work load. Colf’s heavy pack were making in roads and following a lineout from a penalty they again drove over with the conversion missed. Their best try of the day followed when they spread the ball wide for a very well taken try with the conversion added. With only 14 minutes remaining Dover were to lose Murray and Lee Tonks through injury. Colf’s continue to pressure and good work from Sedgwick turned the ball over on Dover’s 5 metre line. From the ensuing ruck Sam McPherson, deputising at inside half, produced a superb long range pass to Martyn Beaumont who was standing in acres of space. The skipper scored a brilliant individual try running the distance and dancing around a handful of defenders in the process with the extras added. With the bit between their teeth Dover continued with the pressure and Beaumont scored his second with a neat chip over the top outpacing the defence and collecting the ball for another great touchdown to secure the game.

Senior Coach Graham Tonks commented; ‘Old Colf’s are a good hard working side and the 2 points today have been well earned. It was a massive improvement on last week but unfortunately the win was tempered with the dismissal of two good players. We still haven’t performed to our best and the hard work must continue’.
Dover travel to Old Elthamians on Saturday.

Team; Lucas (Hewer), Tomlinson, Stanley, Robinson, Sluman, Surendorff, McNamara, Tonks D, Murray (Mc Pherson), Beaumont Martyn, Beaumont Mark, Charge, Tonks L (May), Mackintosh, Sedgwick

Photos By Ian Shilston

Report by: Richard Collins