Report by Dick Collins

Pictures by Ian Shilson

Dover completed their first double of the season with a comfortable victory over a fragile Maidstone side. Trigger Davison failed to recover from last week’s injury and he decided to rehabilitate by sadly spending the day fishing! Buster Collins returned to the fold and the only other change from last week was the addition of Gus Surendorff on the bench.

Dover showed their intentions straight from the kick off. Ed Blowers secured possession and after a minor misunderstanding Martyn Beaumont was fed the ball. A delicate chip over was collected by the skipper and a kick to the right wing saw Ricky Mackintosh take possession. A sweet pass to Jamie Townley in support saw the centre sprint along the touchline for the opening try. Nick Ford converted a beauty from the touchline. The pressure mounted and the hosts were penalised 3 times in the opening 5 minutes. The second try followed on the 10th minute. Dover’s forwards bulldozed their way forward and the ball was spread right and then left with Mark Beaumont on hand to out sprint the Stone’s defence for a well taken unconverted try. Nick Ford then kicked a penalty and the floodgates were beginning to open. Unfortunately Dover’s composure faltered and the let their foot slip off the accelerator and the Stones then fought back. A miss pass saw a gap open and a penalty lead to the heft Maidstone forwards being awarded a hotly contested penalty try for the maul being collapsed with the extras added. The game ebbed and flowed and Dover increased their lead on 27 minutes following more pressure with Lee Tonks on hand to cross over. Dover’s defence was again on the whole solid but the game had started to become scrappy with a penalty being awarded virtually every 2 minutes, with both sides equal in their indiscretions. A yellow card or two might have been the answer. From a spectators perspective one can imagine the frustration. The half finished with Dover leading by 20 points to 7.

The second half again started in Dover’s favour. Mackintosh had a strong run from deep in Dover’s half .The ball was re-cycled and Martyn Beaumont hoofed the ball forward outpaced all and sundry to touch down with Ford adding the extras. Ford looked composed at full back and the pick of the forwards was hooker Jack Tomlinson who carried well and showed his strength of character. Changes were made and Dover’s lead was increased further. Mackintosh took a quick tap penalty and again charged away catching the defence on the hop and Ben Murray was in support for an easily taken converted try. With the game beyond any reach of the hosts the visitor’s last try came from a mistake in the hosts lineout. Dover took the opportunity of securing the dropped ball and fed wide with Townley coasting through from a run of 35 metres to touch down and continue his fine return from a lengthy lay off. Maidstone responded well and at the death scored a deserved converted consolation try for their efforts. Although not a classic by any means Dover had tried to be positive with the use of the ball and scored some excellent tries. However it must be said they lost an opportunity of a far healthier score which is so important for them as they continue to build on their success. Gravesend still lead the league by 3 points and Dover now have a 3 point cushion over 3rd place Cobham who lost their second game on the bounce.

Dover face local rivals Thanet Wanderers at Crabble on Saturday. This fixture is normally a close run affair with some added physical spice and a game not for the faint hearted. I anticipate that this weeks training will be hotly contested with a number of player’s pressing their claim for the starting jersey. The Club would also urge as many supporters as possible to attend to cheer the boys on prior to a well earned festive break.

Team, Lucas, Tomlinson, Hewer (Stanley), Blowers, Sluman, Collins (Surendorff), Foster, Vick, Murray, Martyn Beaumont ( Marx), Mark Beaumont, Tonks, Townley, Mackintosh, Ford.