Dover 1XV 21 v 10 Tunbridge Wells 1XV
Wells travelled to Dover in this London 1 South clash with the side changed yet again as injuries and availabilities forced coach Paul Hathaway to ring the changes in an attempt to build a consistent team. This was possible to some extent in the pack but still depleted in the backs the town side had to bring Stuart Moreton back from University and play Dane Hurley and Ollie Allman on the wings.
Despite the changes the Wells backs looked sharp from the start on another dry day underfoot and a searing break from Sitiveni Turagaiviu, followed by a neat interchange with Stuart Moreton saw Turagaiviu score and James Warren convert for a second minute lead of 0-7.
As the game unfolded Wells held their own well in the loose and had no trouble in securing their own line out ball when they kept it simple but as the week before simple mistakes kept the pressure on when it should have been relieved. Dover edged back into contention on 16 minutes as Wells were penalized for going over the top and Ford struck the penalty 3-7.
Much of the first half was characterized by wells winning the ball but not quite getting their dangerous backs combination away and by Dover being tackled early by the Wells half backs and centres and dropping the ball in the contact. It was Wells who inched farther ahead on 26 minutes as it was Dovers turn to go off their feet and James Warren kicked a penalty from 35 metres 3-10.
The final move of the half saw Wells on the attack on the 10 metre line again after a Dover spillage in the tackle.
Before wells could draw breath in the second half flanker Rob Harrison was dispatched to the bin having been yellow carded for kicking the ball out of a ruck before it was over and Wells were up against it. Turagaiviu and Vander Meulen got away 50 metres up the left touchline and it looked like play might continue without a score whilst Harrison was off but Dover got the ball away to the left and although there was some doubt about the grounding left wing McIntosh was awarded the unconverted try 8-10 on 50 mins.
The rest of the game and the ultimate winners then hinged on one incident in the 62nd minute when Dane Hurley and Mark Wilson went close on the right and both performed miracles to recycle the ball which was handled rapidly to get to full back James Warren coming into the line. Warren swerved inside dived over the line but a swinging arm almost accidentally dislodged the ball in the dive and seven points and a potentially winning lead had gone.
Play returned to the other end where Vander Meulen was penalized for knocking the ball away and Ford nudged Dover into a lead they had not looked like securing 11-10.
As so often in these situations, and the game as close as it was, Dover went farther ahead on 69 minutes as Martyn Beaumont chipped ahead and the ball stopped perfectly for him to score the try 16-10. Wells continued to compete with replacement hooker Mark Higgins taking ball against the head and No 8 Chris Veall making several telling breaks but it was catch up rugby now and Dover taking advantage of the counter attack scored their final try through the other Beaumont( Alan) on 76 mins to seal a game which Dover had looked very likely to lose.
Wells can take heart at this performance as they take to the road yet again this Saturday to meet fourth placed Cobham, but should be desperately disappointed that they didn’t secure the points
Coach Hathaway has to reflect on 9 changes to the side that started the season but strength is beginning to build and over the next few weeks this side will add a winning streak to it’s current competitiveness, if it continues to train and play together.
SQUAD: Richard Sparks, Will Hancock (Mark Higgins 40mins), Mick Sedgwick James Gwinnett, Rob Harrison, James Lineham, Iain Bartley, Chris Veall, Mark Wilson, Jonte Van Der Meulen, Ollie Allman, Sitiventi Turagaiviu, Stuart Moreton, Dane Hurley, James Warren, Alan Maxted, Lee Walker.
TRIES: Sitiventi Turagaiviu
CONS: James Warren
PENS: James Warren
Y/CARD: Rob Harrison
For more pictures of this and other games visit Bruce Elliott's site
HERE
Tunbridge Wells 2XV 26 v 33 Dover 2XV
Wells 2’s were pleased to take this friendly fixture against Dover 2’s in order to gauge progress as a side over the past 6 months. Last season we were comprehensively beaten 47-8 in Invicta 1 by the same side, so anything less than a drubbing would have been positive. As it transpired both teams were extremely well matched, and provided the supporters with an excellent afternoon’s entertainment.
As usual injuries and unavailabilities meant lineup changes, and with the 1st XV really struggling for players, some creative selection was required. In came Phil Parr, up from the 3’s to stake his claim in the second row behind Billy Harvey, back from injury to replace Allan Maxted at prop. In the backs Paul Wheeler was called into 9 and John Crees was dragged out of semi-retirement to run out on the wing. New recruit Ben Tuite started at inside Centre and Andy Kemp returned at full back.
Given it was a friendly the call was for greater variety in our play, a more decisive and expansive game plan, and fewer errors. Largely we achieved all these things, and despite ultimately losing the game narrowly, the team left the field more than satisfied with the overall performance and with team spirit further enhanced.
The game, played on the 1st team pitch, started well, with Wells dominating the early stages and being rewarded with an early try for Crees, powering over from close range from an excellent blindside move from Steve Daly at Number 8. Steve then slotted a towering conversion from the side line. All the basics were being carried out with calm precision, scrummaging was excellent and our loose play outstanding, with Paul Miles, Ben Acklam and James Kenway ruthless at stealing ball in the tackle area. With plenty of possession it was disappointing that Dover were allowed back into the game, scoring through their elusive number 11 who evaded a multitude of missed tackles before touching down under the sticks.
Wells were soon back on top when Billy Harvey blue-balled from close range and somehow managed to ground the ball despite the attentions of 3 or 4 defenders. Daly nailed the conversion to extend the lead to 14-7. Whilst we had eliminated many of the basic errors that had disjointed earlier performances this season, one moment of sleepiness led to Dover’s next score. A penalty on halfway against Wells should have seen the team back-peddling to cover the tap and go, but was met instead by a mixture of statues and back chat to the ref. Meanwhile Dover did tap and go, straight through the middle to square up the score at halftime 14-14.
In the second half Dover looked a more efficient side, with their impressive number 8 causing plenty of problems, and the seemingly un-tacklable winger threatening every time he got the ball. The visitors were winning plenty of ball and swinging it wide quickly which was stretching our defences, which it has to be said, covered superbly. Eventually the pressure told as Dover broke through to score the first try of the second half.
A tactical change saw Mark Goff switch to 9 and Ollie Rogers come on at 10. This new combination was just the tonic for the backs, who had lacked the quick service required to ask Dover’s defences some tough questions. With quicker ball, both centres, Tuite and Richards, came to the fore, running great lines and punching holes in the Dover defence. Wells were soon back in the game when Rogers jinked through to level up the scores, only to see Dover power back up field and create a solid platform for the number 8 to pick and go from long range. He should have been brought down but wasn’t, scoring under the posts to edge Dover ahead 19-26.
The heads didn’t drop and the game continued at breakneck speed, great quality from both sides, and great to watch. Eventually it was Rogers again who broke free to score Wells’ fourth try and again, with Daly’s conversion, the scores were level.
Had the ref blown for full time it would have been a fair result, and one both teams would have been pleased with. As it was Dover still had the time and composure to settle the game with a final try for the mercurial 11, who once again proved unstoppable from distance. Nigel Follows came close but not quite close enough and the game finished 26-33.
So plenty of positives, with the debutants impressive, especially Ben Tuite in the centres. Andy Kemp had a fabulous game at full back, combining secure defence with great pace and flair in attack. Team-wise had it not been for a couple of lapses in concentration and tackling, and maybe a bit more lineout ball, we would have won against a quality side. We know our pack is strong, and with quick ball our back line started to look dangerous which bodes well for the future, if we can hold the side together!
TRIES: John Crees, Stephen Harvey, Ollie Rogers x2
CONS: Daley x3
Tunbridge Wells 3XV 5 v 36 Edenbridge 1XV
Report to follow
TRIES: Simpson
Tunbridge Well 4XV cancelled New Ash Green 3XV
Cancelled by New Ash Green
