Although the torrential rain had subsided by the time the game kicked off, the gale force winds made the likelihood of a classic game of running rugby somewhat remote. However both sides should be congratulated on trying to run with the ball albeit with regular handling errors. Despite playing against the gale force wind it was Dover who looked the most threatening with the Colf’s front row unable to deal with the srummaging of Robinson,Ambrose and Cooper and their lineouts being disrupted at every opportunity by Dave Sluman. The only surprise was that it took The Sharks twenty five minutes to break the deadlock when, from good line out ball, Dale Mercer left his wing to join the line at speed and power through several rather inept tackles. Despite the gale, Number 10 Greg Philips who put in a superb match performance, calmly slotted the conversion. With ball in hand Charlie Denning was also kicking well and Dover were good value for their 7-0 half time lead. The referee must have decided at half time that he should raise his profile in the game as he suddenly started brandishing cards. Only three minutes of the second half had elapsed when the referee very harshly sent Denning to the sin bin for being offside but despite this The Sharks continued to attack and, after a good run by Billy Plews, Dale Mercer again found space in the mid field to burst through with Philips adding the points Colf’s centre was then carded which resulted in a Dover penalty some 3 metres inside their own half. With the wind now in his favour Philips easily got the distance and a further three points to make the score 17-0 with thirty minutes still to play. Unfortunately Dover then had no 8 Sam McNamara red carded for foul play followed five minutes later by a yellow card for Sluman as a result of Dover players being warned for constant offside. The fresh legs of Sam Wheeler, Jimmy Chambers and Dan Burr were introduced but with only thirteen Dover players on the field Colf’s now upped their game and despite great defence, especially from Sam Coughlan, it was no surprise when they breached the Dover line for a converted try. A further penalty by Philips made the score 20 – 7 but with only four minutes left OC’s again crossed with their best move of the game and Dover were visibly relieved when time finally ran out for the home side.

Team – Robinson,Ambrose,Cooper,Grayson,Sluman, Gorgrahn,Landman,McNamara,McPherson,Philips,Plews,Denning,Coughlan, Mercer,Dean,Wheeler,Chambers,Burr.