Dover’s first league fixture at Crabble of 2012 saw their most cohesive performance of the season so far. Dover was buoyed by the welcome return of Pat Sykes to the club.

Dover’s intent was obvious from early on keen to put recent defeats behind them and move away from the relegation zone. The home side playing up the slope for the first half attacked at every opportunity. Sutton & Epsom tried to pin Dover back with the boot but with Foster at full back he seized every opportunity to run the ball. Jamie Townley and Kurt Jaggar combined early to go close and this set the scene for the half. The Dover forwards drove forward with aplomb, Aaron Cooper as usual punching the holes supported by the back row of Hayward, Blowers and Davison. Ben Crawford enjoying his first appearance at scrum half orchestrated proceedings providing perfect synergy between the forwards and backs. Although Dover had dominated from the start it was 15 minutes before they opened the scoring. Dover played through the phases with composure until the gap appeared, Jon Foster attacked the blindside with Jaggar and Foster finished the move scoring the try, Ben Sedgwick converted and Dover moved into a 7-0 lead. Dover controlled possession from the restart and moved straight on the attack. Ben Crawford sniped up the blindside to release Mark Beaumont who combined with Townley and Sedgwick to take play into the 22. Dover’s over eagerness to recycle quick ball saw them lose possession, Sutton & Epsom cleared back to halfway. A well executed lineout and quick ball off the top Dover were away again. Sedgwick chipped the defence and Pat Sykes reclaimed possession and popped the ball to the supporting Sedgwick, stopped 5 metres short he returned the favour to Sykes to crash over for the try, the conversion slipping wide Dover lead 12-0. Dover win a scrum from the restart, buzzing with confidence they again attack the blindside through Davison, Foster and Jaggar taking play to within 30 metres of the visitors line. From the breakdown Dover won a penalty which Sedgwick kicked to the corner for a 5 metre lineout. Dover missed this opportunity to increase their lead Sutton & Epsom showing some resistance to a driving maul. Sutton & Epsom clear the danger and make their first meaningful foray into Dover territory. Foster Dover’s last line of defence is more than equal to the challenge making the tackle and securing possession for Sedgwick to clear the ball to halfway. Sutton & Epsom look to attack from the lineout, a ferocious tackle from Sykes sees the ball spill loose. Crawford pounces and gets Dover moving forward, Kirk Savage on hand to scythe through the remaining defence to score under the posts, Sedgwick converts to extend the lead to 19-0. Dover relaxed from the restart and opened the door for Sutton & Epsom. A succession of penalties and 5 metre lineouts initially defended well by Dover saw the visitors open their account going in under the posts for a converted try to reduce Dover’s lead to 19-7. Skipper Dale Tonks encouraged his troops on and normal proceedings ensued. Ed Blowers almost secured the restart, Sutton & Epsom again launched the ball down field. Dover again ran it back. The forwards and backs combining to move back over half way. Sutton & Epsom try to slow down the ball but Crawford feeds Davison who made 30 metres before being stopped by 3 defenders. Sedgwick is as always in support to receive the pass to scamper home unopposed to score Dover’s fourth try under the posts, Sedgwick adds the conversion to move Dover 26-7 ahead. The bonus point secured by half time. Unfortunately for Dover winger Kurt Jaggar enjoying his best performance of the season suffered a broken ankle as he pushed forward from the restart and with that a scintillating half of rugby drew to a close.

Nathan Annakie replaced Jaggar for the second half. Dover moved straight into attack, Davison receiving the ball in his own 22 again drove forward, Cooper in support took up proceedings powering his way into the 22 and fed Foster who went over for Dover’s 5th try, Sedgwick again adding the extras Dover moved 33-7 ahead. Sutton & Epsom have no answer to the onslaught. They do earn a lineout on halfway but Dover’s dominance is abound, Davison stealing the ball and galloping forward, eating up the 50 metres to score a well deserved try, Sedgwick again accurate the scoreboard moves on to 40-7. Every time Dover has the ball they look dangerous, Sluman and Tonks driving forward to set the platform for Dover to attack. Play seemed to move with consummate ease into the danger zone, the pack dominant orchestrated by Crawford. It was not long before Dover crossed the line again, from a 5 metre scrum Davison picked up and drove on the blindside, stopped short the ball was popped to Sykes to bundle his way over the line, Sedgwick converted to move the score to 47-7. Dover made their last changes Matt Suter on for Hayward and Chris Lucas allowing Cooper a well deserved rest. Dover miss their next opportunity to score a momentary breakdown in communication much to the relief of Sutton & Epsom. This handed the visitors their first possession of the half and they did manage to make a rare visit into Dover territory. Dover hadn’t forgot how to defend and were back in numbers to turn over possession. Shane Moore moved the ball forward setting the base for Crawford to release the backs for a vintage try. Annakie started the move on the left wing, the ball was moved quickly seven sets of hands to Beaumont on the right wing, he broke into the 22 with Townley inside he fed the latter to cross for Dover’s 8th try and extend Dover’s lead to 52-7. With 15 minutes left to play Dover could and should have increased the score line but decision making saw the chances slip by. They didn’t however concede Sutton & Epsom’s only visit into Dover’s 22 was in the last minute. There were several notable performances on the day, No.8 Davison was a constant menace, Sykes,Foster and Sedgwick were always dangerous but Man of the Match has to be awarded to Ben Crawford for his first ever performance at scrum half, it was poetry in motion.

This bonus point win moved Dover two places up the league. All involved should be encouraged by the performance but tougher challenges lie ahead starting this Saturday with an away trip to 4th placed Basingstoke.

Team:

COOPER (LUCAS), SAVAGE, MOORE, TONKS (Capt.), SLUMAN, BLOWERS, HAYWARD (SUTER), DAVISON, CRAWFORD, SEDGWICK, JAGGAR(ANNAKIE), SYKES, TOWNLEY, BEAUMONT, FOSTER.

SCORERS:

TRIES: FOSTER 2, SYKES 2, SAVAGE, SEDGWICK, TOWNLEY, DAVISON

CONVERSIONS: SEDGWICK x 6