Dover 2s had every right to be confident ahead of this fixture despite missing 6 regulars to 1st team call ups and another 12 missing from the 1st and 2nd team squad through illness or injury after their solid start to the season.
Judds are a well financed outfit with good playing resources to call on and this was evident from the 1st whistle as they went about their play like the well drilled outfit they are, causing dover problems with their strong, pacey and direct backline. Dover stated brightly themselves and immediately showed their attacking intent with a number of quick drives from Haywood, Savage, Gill and Robinson pushing Judds back into their own half. Dover looked to move the ball wide but a loose pass was scooped up by the judds fullback-their standout player all game-who went on a strong run down the centre of the field to put judds on the front foot. Dovers' defence recovered but were adjudged to have infringed at the breakdown and Judds took the shot at goal to lead 3-0.
Dover Kicked off and almost immediately found themselves under their own posts again as Judds slick backs clicked into gear. The ball was spread from one side of the pitch to the other and the judds winger was able to dot down in the corner for an unconverted try and a 10-0 lead.
Some stern words from Gill and Robinson seemed to spark Dover to life as they started to take the game to Judds. Forwards and backs started working together well, Half backs Richards and Marx working well and finding holes to put runners into. Dovers lineout was solid all day with the excellent Annakie and Surrendorf not losing one all day and doing a good job of disrupting judds where possible. Dover were Looking sharper and almost opened their account after a flowing move led to Gill diving over, only for the referee to rule it held up. The resultant scrum saw the ball shoot out the side with Judds quickest to react. They again showed their efficiency in attack as they made it to the Dover Line before being awarded a penalty as Dover were judged to have killed the Ball. 13-0 Judds after 20 Mins.
The next 20 mins was Dovers strongest period of the game as their aggressive defense put Judds on the back foot and allowed Dover to Work their way down the pitch. A Dover scrum 10 meters from the Judds line was won well and the backs came to the fore as excellent dummy running led to Marx striding over un-opposed for a well deserved score. Haywood added the extras 13-7 Judds. HT.

Dover lost captain Gill and Gaughran at Half-time to injury and Dover were forced to re-shuffle. They returned to the fray full of confidence but Judds are a good side who punish mistakes and Dover made to many in the second period. Judds further increased their lead 5 mins after the break. A promising Dover attack breaking down in the judds half allowing the TJ's fullback to thunder forward with the ball, his offload set the winger free and he was able to dot down after a dover player slipped in the defensive line. 20-7 Judds. Judds added another penalty to lead 23-7 before their next try which was a well worked score that involved forwards and backs to score another converted try to lead 30-7. Dover never gave up and debutant centre Danny Russell is to be commended for his excellent defensive performance. Dover kept trying to throw the ball around and looked dangerous on attack, Haywood, Surrendorf and Landman particullarly to the fore, but all to often Dover missed scoring chances by not seeing the final pass. Dovers work rate on defence started to show and gaps began to appear as Dover tied towards the end. Judds next score was nothing if not direct. Their big number 8 was fed the ball and after a long run up he swatted aside the otherwise excellent Richards to score and give Judds a 37-7 Lead.
Dovers' fighting spirit shone through and they notched the next score after Richards made 25meters from a quick tap the ball was moved along the line to Haywood who spotted the Gap. He got in Behind the Judds backline and sent Landman on his way to the line and he dived over under pressure out wide for an unconverted try. 37-12 Judds.
Judds finished off the scoring with a try at the death which was well converted to give judds a deserved 44-12 victory.
Dover are to be commended for a gutsy performance given the number of absentees this week and the players that made the step up played very well. The return fixture i'm sure will be a different story.
Team- Mcmeniman, Gaughran,Gill,Robinson,Surrendorf,H.Annakie,Savage,Richards,Marx,D.Burr,Russell,Landman,Coughlan,Dean,Hicks,Wheeler.