Dover 1st's seal an opening league weekend victory

(pictures to follow) - Report Written by Chris Lucas

Finally the day had come, after what feels like forever but in fact had been 5 long months, rugby returned for the 1st XV in their opening league fixture. On a late summer day with the temperatures soaring Dover welcomed the newly promoted Crowborough to the Crabble Athletic Ground, fresh off their champion season in London 3 South East. Dover knew that this first game was going to be a stern test and one that proved as such in a tail of two halves.

After losing the toss Dover started the game down the slope with a team itching to get playing after a tough preseason. In the starting line Dover welcomed new signing Garin Price on the left wing making his debut with Luke Allen called up on the bench for his debut following impressive displays for the 2nd XV.

After a cagey opening 5 minutes with both sides sizing up their new opponents the game burst in to life, Dover’s set piece was starting to get the upper hand and following a couple of phases in the middle of field head coach & fly half Martyn Beaumont shimmed his hips and rolled back the years to burst the defensive line of Crowborough and break to score the opening try of game from the half away line, Beaumont added the extras. Another fine set piece from the pack lead by skipper Haydn Annakie created great ball for the backs, a slick handling move released Price to score his first for the club, extras again added by Beaumont.

Dover’s tail was now firmly up, a penalty for an infringement at the breakdown allowed Moore to put the ball deep in to the Crowborough 22 for a Dover lineout. Excellent work once again from Bowman allowed an easy win in the air and the ball was quickly set to the back of an unstoppable rolling maul, vice captain Piddlesden was never going to let the opportunity drop and scored in the corner, unfortunately the extras were missed and score line read 19-0 after the opening 25 minutes.

Dover were on fire and playing the rugby that their coaches knew they were capable of, a number of big runs from loosehead Rix helped to create great go forward ball to allow Dewing to release Beaumont who sprinted away for his second of the game and converted the score for a 26-0 lead after 35 minutes.

Crowborough looked slightly shell shocked by the pace and intensity Dover were bring to the game, once again camped in the Crowborough 22 another Dover score looked a certainty, what could possibly go wrong? As the ball was moved wide a missed timed pass lead to Dover spilling their perfect opportunity, all of a sudden the Crows winger pounced as the ball bobbled along his own 5 metre line, as he picked up the ball he pinned back his ears and sprinted the 95 metres to score under posts.

From the resulting kick off Crowborough regathered the ball and put phases together and pressure on the Dover line, a penalty for slowing the ball down at the ruck lead to
a yellow card for Foster, Crowborough didn’t need a second invitation and scored their second of the game. The half time whistle came much to Dover’s relive and as the teams turned round the score was 26-14.

Crowborough’s believe was now starting to show and they continued to use their numerical advantage as they started to show why they led their league in points scored last season, a quick move lead to another score which was converted to bring the scores closer at 26-21, luckily the return of Foster to field was just around the corner and he fully repaid his team mates. Slick hands from the Dover back line created the space and an offload back in side sent Foster bursting the line to score beneath the posts, Dover now led 33-21 and looked to regain control.

Crowborough were refusing to lie down, another backs moved released their winger, Beaumont covering to stop the try made a tackle that was deemed high and was sent for a 10 minute sit down by the referee. Once again Crowborough made their numbers count and pressed the Dover line. Dover still intent on playing attacking rugby despite being a man down attempted to shift the ball wide, Crows backline read this perfectly and intercept the ball to score. Under the posts Dover attempted to regather their thoughts and ensure they saw out the game, however from the resulting kick off the Crows 6 who never seemed far from a high ball gathered and broke the line the score untouched straight from the kick off, the try was converted and scores were now level and Dover were letting the game slip from their grasp.

With Beaumont back on the field Dover started to show their killing edge from the first half and were camped in the Crowborough half looking for the win. A silly tip tackle from Moore lead to Dover’s 3rd yellow card of the game but their day was not done, they continued to press the Crowborough 22, a penalty allowed Beaumont to put the ball on to the Crowborough line. The Dover line out was once again excellent and a rolling maul was set up, Dover were on the move and it seemed that nothing could be done to stop it, Crowborough had no option but to pull down the maul and gave little choice for the referee to make but to award a penalty try with what was the final play of the game.

Following the game head coach Beaumont said:

"It was great to get a first win under our belt. The first half saw us play some of the best rugby seen at the shark time for the last 3 years, free flowing and high quality. We took our foot off the peddle a little 2nd half but our team showed great strength in finishing the game off. Our pack were immense, with our set piece winning us the game. Still lots to work on as we move forward but it is good to get the cobwebs out and a W on the board".

Dover’s next game is on the 21st September and sees them travel to face a familiar foe in Gravesend with Dover 2nd team at home to the same opposition