Dover kicked off the 2014/15 league campaign away to Basingstoke. Dover named a young vibrant team with 4 debutants (Shane Pile, Luke Garnham, Harry Moore & George Moore) plus a further 4 under the age of 20 (Joe Cooper, Jason Mallory, Ed Lewis & Harry Sayers).

Ed Blowers led his team onto the pitch in bright sunshine, the Dover Sharks attacking down the slope for the first half. Harry Moore at fly half got the game under way. Dover Sharks soon turned over the ball and played with structure running through 8 phases testing the home side defence. They were rewarded with a penalty 40meters from goal, Jack Ayling opted for post, the ball just sliding wide.

A knock on from the dropout giving a scrum to Basingstoke. The home side spinning the ball wide to attack the flanks taking play into Dover Shark's 22. The defence holding firm although Dover were penalised, Basingstokes full back kicking the goal to give them a 3-0 lead on 11 mins. Dover continued to play good rugby and were awarded another penalty on halfway, Ayling's kick just dropping below the bar. Frustratingly the home side added 3 points to their tally and then increased the lead to 13-0 with a converted try on 20 minutes after a mistake from an offload. The Sharks however were playing the better rugby but not taking their chances until awarded a penalty just outside Basingstokes 22. Quick thinking Ayling took a tap and set Harry Sayers away, who drew in the defence to put Charlie Halls in at the corner - unconverted, but Dover Sharks had points on the board 13-5.

Play resumed with both sides pressing for the next score, unfortunately the home side gaining a late penalty to take the half-time score to 16-5.

At half time head coach Graham Tonks encouraged the players to up the tempo and convince them they could turn it around.
Dover responded as requested and played with pace and vigour, forwards and back stretching Basingstoke's defence and gaining an early penalty kicked by Ayling, 16-8. Dover Sharks made a change, Jamie Townley replacing Nathan Annakie in the centre. The spark was back in Dover’s play and they were soon on the attack again, a deliberate knock on giving another penalty and Dover were within 5 16-11.

Basingstoke were now under pressure but Dover seemingly let them back in the game with a lack of concentration. A miss pass went to ground and 'Stoke managed to run in for a converted try 23-11. Skipper Blowers rallied his troops and they responded well, Mallory was replace by Charge, with George Moore going on to play at fullback.

Dovers dominance upfront was paying off and Dover were soon camped on the home sides 5m line. Winning the scrum Luke Garnham picked up from the base and powered over to score, the conversion good from Ayling, 23-18 with 18 mins to go. The Dover Sharks continued in the same vain and drew the scores level, Aaron Cooper using his strength to score, the conversion wide 23-23. What a turn around, Dover continued to press Basingstoke having to concede another penalty to thwart Dover’s advances. Ayling kicking the goal and the Dover Sharks had taken the lead 23-26 for the first time. There seemed to only be one team in it until the referee made a game changing error. Dover were again on the attack, the Basingstoke no.6 deliberately knocking on the ball and hacking it up field. Everyone believing play would be stopped the referee was lost in the moment, Blair Charge retrieved the ball although isolated he held on and was given a yellow card for preventing a try. The resultant penalty kicked and Dover down to 14.

Again the Dover Sharks pressed, Sayers knocking back the restart. Dover attacked down the centre, Basingstoke were caught offside, Ayling kicked the penalty, 26-29 with 3 minutes to play. Basingstoke retained the ball at the restart and attacked from side to side, a try saving tackle from Cooper bundling the winger in to touch. A secure lineout and Ayling cleared to halfway although the kick didn’t make touch. Basingstoke span the ball wide the ball dropped for what should have been a Dover scrum but the referee allowed play to continue and Basingstoke went in under the posts, a converted try making the final result 33-29. Basingstoke's coaches and Chairman consoling handshakes reiterating the fact we had been robbed!!!

The whole team should be immensely proud of this performance despite the defeat. On the day every man played for each other and the badge and although disappointed this stands them in good stead for the season. There were many outstanding performances; Dave Sluman at 6; Joe Cooper at 7 worthy of a mention. But man of the match went to debutant Luke Garnham at no.8.

TEAM:
AARON COOPER, KIRK SAVAGE, SHANE PILE, ED LEWIS, ED BLOWERS(Capt.), DAVE SLUMAN, JOE COOPER, LUKE GARNHAM, JASON MALLORY, HARRY MOORE, CHARLIE HALLS, JACK AYLING, NATHAN ANNAKIE, HARRY SAYERS, BLAIR CHARGE, CHRIS DENGATE, JAMIE TOWNLEY & GEORGE MOORE

SCORERS
TRIES: C HALLS, L GARNHAM, A COOPER
CONVERSIONS: AYLING (1)
PENALTIES: AYLING (4)