TJ’s perched on the top of the table before this fixture having won all of their league fixtures in the season so far. When the teams had last played TJ’s had smashed Dover by 75 points, humiliating a very depleted side.

This game was completely different though. The two sides were evenly matched and the first half was attritional. Neither side were able to grasp control and TJ’s won this half 9-7. Dover failed to find a rhythm and generate good ball. Dover’s try came from Dan Gill, an enterprising 1 yard flop.

At half time an alternative plan was formulated and the second period saw great improvement from the whole team. Dover structured their game better and started to threaten the TJ line more coming up the hill. Dave Bartley scored from a pick and go after great pack dominance - a dominance that started to turn the game in the Dover’s favour. The front row of Bartley, Ambrose and Cooper manhandled the TJ scrum, ruining their first phase possession whilst keeping a base which Dover could attack off.

The backs scored 2 tries in quick succession. Phillips and Sedgewick combined to put Charge over underneath the posts, then a few minutes later Sedgewick’s long pass found Phillips who dived in at the corner.

The game was far from over though and TJ’s hit back with a try of their own to set up a rousing finale. Dover were reduced to 13 men as Dan Robinson and then Kirk Savage left the pitch for misdemeanours and the last 15 minutes were fraught as TJ’s threw everything at the Dover’s line down the hill. Another TJ try brought them within touching distance of a win.

This was Dover’s day though and dogged defence and a warrior spirit brought the Dover team victory. It was a fine win and great testament to Dover’s strength in depth at 1st and 2nd team level.