So close but only 1 point caught this weekend

Written by Chris Lucas

This weekend Dover travelled to Gravesend where their last 2 visits have resulted in a 43-13 & 53-3 losses they always knew the going was going to be tough. A number of changes were required from last weeks winning start to the league, Will Morrison made his debut on the wing, Baker getting his first start of the season & Cooper playing in the unfamiliar role of a second row.

Dover knew the task ahead was going to be tough and the pack picked right up from where they had left off the week before. Good work in the tight led to Gravesend giving away a penalty after 10 minutes which was slotted home by Beaumont to make the score 0-3. However shortly after it was Gravesends opportunity to get on the scoreboard following an infraction at the lineout to make the score 3-3.

Dover at this point had weathered the early storm from the home side and grew in to the game, Dover attacked the Gravesend 22 with power and pace, Beaumont tactically kicked to one corner which was recovered by Dover and then kicked to the opposing corner where Cooper put pressure on the Gravesend winger and Morrison forced a turn over. Good driving by the forwards in the tight lead to Cooper crossing the line for the first try of the game as he was throughly enjoying his new role. Beaumont faced a difficult kick from out wide and some how managed to split the posts to make the score 3-10 to Dover. Almost straight from the kick off Dover lost their concentration and conceded a penalty to allow Gravesend to bring the score closer at 6-10.

The Gravesend experienced fly half started to show his experience with some astute tactical kicking to the corners which started to turn the Dover back line and peg them in their own 22. However it was a much more straightforward kick down the middle of the park that lead to their next score. Dover inexplicably allowed the ball to bounce, Gravesend gathered and with a couple of offloads were in under the posts on the stroke of half time. Dover were some how down 13-10 after so much good work.

Gravesend entered the second half looking to pile on the pressure with the advantage of the slight slope, however as per last week Dover were victims of their own mistakes. As Gravesend attacked substitute Curtis rushed the 10 who sidestepped the on rushing player, Curtis accidentally but instinctively stuck out a leg and tripped the player and earned himself 10 minutes in the sin bin. With the numerical advantage Gravesend took advantage using the extra man in the scrum, good work from their pack helped them stretch the lead to 20-10.

In the past this Dover team would of let their heads drop but this team is now made of sterner stuff! Curtis rejoined the fray and Dover upped the anti and the pressure. The forwards were on top, the driving maul making yards with Gravesend on the back foot. Around the breakdown the pack attacked the fringe causing multiple advantages to be played by the referee, as the forwards drew the Gravesend pack in on their own 5 meter line the ball was spun wide, a step by Beaumont and young Bowman was sent though a gap as wide as the English Channel to score under the posts, Beaumont converted and Dover were right back in to the game.

With little more than 10 minutes left in the game Dover were in the ascendancy probing the Gravesend line. Once again great work from the forwards allowed space for the backs to attack, old snake hips Beaumont spotted a gap, turned a number of defenders insid out and crossed the whitewash to score a try to cap off his birthday week (age unknown.......!). The kick was relatively simple but only just managed to sneak over after hitting the post to move the score to 24-20 in favour of Dover!

Gravesend now sent on their big ball carriers, Dover were now under pressure to repeal the attacks as an enthralling finish looked likely. Dover were doing their best and putting their bodies on the line, an injury to skipper Annakie led to a break in play to which Gravesend supporters showed that the spirit of rugby lived on by shouting for him to get off the pitch, however after a warriors effort he wasn’t willing to give in.

Dover looked to control the last remaining minutes of the game but as Beaumont threw a pass to a surprisingly speedy prop he intercepted the ball and sprinted from the halfway line and only just managed to get stopped on the 5 meter line. Dover were now under their posts defending for their lives, however it wasn’t meant to be, quick play from the Gravesend backs sent in their ball carriers who crashed in under the posts, the conversation was slotted to make the score 27-24.

With barely enough time left on the clock Dover were unable to get their chance at getting another score. Despite the result Dover left the game with their heads held high, an immense performance from their pack once again and a number of players stepping up from the 2nd XV left plenty for Head of Rugby Beaumont to be pleased with. Following the game he said "the pack were excellent yet again, set piece was a real strength and their commitment to our game plan is really paying off. Our discipline, despite some silly yellow cards has been superb and I am pleased with where we are at. The game could have gone either way at the end but sometimes it does not go your way. John Foster was clearly man of the match, but many of our boys put their hat in the ring. We move forward confidently in to our next home game which will be a tough and physical affair against Haywards Heath"

Dover now have 2 home games on the bounce, first of all against the unbeaten Haywoods Heath on 28th September which is a 3 o’clock kick off.