Report by Dick Collins

Pictures by Ian Shilson

For the second consecutive week a large crowd, with a huge contingent from Sidcup, witnessed another great game of rugby between the second and third placed teams in London South 1 who were both playing for a place in the play offs.

Dover’s preparations were severely disrupted when skipper Martyn Beaumont was left stranded in Australia owing to the travel chaos and matters were further compounded when vice captain and pack leader Dave Bartley was taken ill and withdrew on Friday. Sidcup have been the in form team in the league having had a fantastic run of victories, including the scalp of Gravesend, and the hosts were again under no illusions as to the task that faced them. Following last week’s close encounter Dover thankfully rediscovered their form and they turned out to be full value in this energy sapping spectacle which saw them take the points which gives them second place in the league and the play- off spot that they had so desperately battled for.

Sidcup had the advantage of the slope in the first half and they were first on the score board with a penalty after only 2 minutes of play. Dover soon rallied and the crispness of their attacking backs and a true spirit from the pack was soon on display. A penalty was missed but on the 10th minute Dover’s rucking provided quick ball which was fed through a number of hands to Jamie Townley, who threw a great dummy before offloading to Buster Collins who sprinted 25 metres to touch down with Charge adding the extras. The pressure continued and on the 22nd minute Dover stretched the lead further. With Ed Blowers supplying good lineout possession the ball was being spread wide. Hooker Jack Tomlinson drove up field the ruck was set and the ball was fed on the blind to stand in skipper Ricky Mackintosh, who powered up the right flank. Townley was in support and he took his opportunity superbly with Charge slotting the conversion. The visitors wasted no time and from the kick off Dover failed to secure the ball and the heavy Sidcup pack showed the damage that they could inflict with their rolling maul and they scored a well taken try with the conversion to follow. A penalty by Sidcup soon followed and Dover were in urgent need to increase the intensity, which they did. From another lineout won fly half Charge looped perfectly and with the ball being spread wide full back Ben Sedgwick joined the line to score another fine unconverted try. At the interval the hosts were leading by 19 points to 13. The heat and the hard ground was taking its toll, however the hosts were displaying an admirable character and there was still a number of twists and turns before the conclusion of this contest.

Dover had the slope in their favour and apart from the hosts going close early on, the first 20 minutes of the second half belonged to Sidcup. The burly forwards took the opportunity to keep possession of the ball which starved Dover who for some time were helpless and unable to get the hands on the ball. Sidcup missed one penalty but their trusted kicker slotted two to even the scores and he then kicked another, with Dover now in a state of panic and multiple errors and indiscipline creeping in. A section of the visitors supporters were having great fun with their musical melody with each mistake made by Dover and every positive piece of play from their own side. With their backs to the wall the home side were having to dig deep to stop the rot. The defence was good and although Sidcup were reliant on their kicker they were having difficulty in breaching the wall of blue. With the game in the balance and the banter between the two sets of supporters growing stronger the hosts forced their way back into the game with some excellent passages of play. Discipline improved and the belief in their ability was reignited. The front five of Arron Cooper, Tomlinson, Chris Lucas, Blowers and Dave Sluman, later replaced by Dan Robinson, had been immense against a much heavier and well organised opposition, some of whom were feeling the effects of the intensity of the game. The back row of Ben Vick, Jon Foster and Collins were doing their graft clearing out and turning ball over and generally being a menace around the park. Dover turned up the heat and from a lineout won 10 metres out Dover secured the ball and with the assistance of several backs they drove forward and eventually Danny Robinson touched down. The killer try came minutes later when a strong run through the midfield and again down the right flank produced another forward and backs interaction with Ben Murray taking the honours on this occasion. With a nine point cushion and the game almost won the ‘dur dur dur’ choir boys were now in a stunned silence and it was the turn of the Dover supporters who were now repeating the lyrics to the opposition. Dover pressed on. Charge struck another penalty and the game was won and Dover’s goal for the season achieved.

Both sets of players exchanged best wishes and each individual should be pleased with their participation in this marvellous contest. Sedgwick and Mackintosh were the pick of the backs and Collins for the forwards. The referee Mr Gibson was at Crabble for the second consecutive week and he must be thanked for his contribution. Senior Coach Graham Tonks was both delighted and relieved and he commented ‘we have taken the second spot in the league and proved that we can compete against some fine sides. The last 20 minutes of the game was excellent, we competed at every phase and our commitment and attitude was encouraging. We can look forward to the play off next week with our confidence and spirits high’.

Dover travel to the Civil Service from London North 1 on Saturday to challenge for promotion to National 3 South.

Team, Cooper, Tomlinson, Lucas (Moore), Sluman (Robinson), Blowers, Collins, Foster, Vick, Murray, Charge, Beaumont, Tonks, Townley, Mackintosh (Ford), Sedgwick.