Tunbridge Wells took to the field hoping that they could complete their first game of the New Year following weather postponements and the abandonment of the game through referee injury at Elthamians the week before.
Dover occupied second place in London 1 South having only lost 2 and drawn 1 of their first 16 league games. Yet despite this- having been close at Dover earlier in the season- the home side had always thought they had a chance particularly with creative runners like Ollie Rogers at fly half, Toby May at fullback and Siti Turagaiviu in the centre. With Mark Wilson rested and young David Coombes in at scrum half a disappointingly greasy pitch due to overnight frost helped neither side.
After a tentative start Wells dominated the line out, Dover took the scrums and the home side made their first clear break down the right from Rogers, Dane Hurley took the pass and drew the fullback and then to everyone’s horror kicked when Turagaiviu had a free run in. With memories of Wells having a potentially match winning try dislodged with a 2 man overlap in the game before Christmas everyone started to wonder if we were destined for another such day.
Much of the play for the next 25 minutes remained in mid field with neither set of relatively potent backs able to find accuracy of pass or kick. For the Home team everyone seemed to want to get in on the act and it was no surprise when eventually even Ben Acklam at hooker decided to try the chip over the top.
On 35 minutes Dover got their forwards driving forward for the most effective maul of the day so far to see their flanker go in halfway out and Charge, the full back, kick the conversion and this remained the score to halftime 0-7.
After the break Toby May cut an excellent line to get to within 5 metres but as so often the attempted recycling of the ball saw the penalty go to Dover and the danger subside.
Iain Bartley, Dane Hurley and James Lineham in the back row nullified much of Dover’s ball for the next 10 minutes in the Wells back row but after another break away down the left Dover got the try in the left corner but not the conversion as Wells passing let them down as they tried to break away.
Still Wells kept making clean breaks as first Rogers and then May cut 50 metres , the latter through the middle, as they set up the home side in the opposition 22. May got away again and the ball was moved across the Dover goal to Rob Greig on the overlap on the right wing as Turagaiviu moved the ball to space but sadly despite no opposition to beat he could not hold the ball and the second overlap of the afternoon had gone. Despite what must have been huge disappointment and with Dan Bettice replacing Richard Sparks in the front row, Wells were awarded a penalty from 30 metres and Matt Murtagh made no mistake with the boot. 3-12. on 59 mins.
Wells now dominated territory for the first time in the afternoon as Coombes prompted his backs feeding off quality line out ball from skipper James Gwinnett and Pete Binham. With constant ball in the 22 between 63 minutes and 72 Dover had to crack and Rogers cut through again to set Rob Harrison free to score the try halfway out with Matt Murtagh adding the goal points to put Wells within any score to win with 8 Minutes of normal time to go. How the side regretted spurning very kickable penalties on two occasions to take quick tap ball both sides of half time.
Wells got into the Dover 22 one last time when Acklam went close to scoring on the right only to be penalized for holding on and for Dover to pour downfield to relieve pressure and run the clock down in the maul.
If ever there was an example of sides who win continuing to win it was this but Wells had only themselves to blame for their lack of accuracy in the finish, for not taking penalty kicks when they were there to add to the score and for a penalty count that was too high and relieved home pressure too often. Opposition supporters , players and the referee felt Wells had looked the better side but the two points headed for the coast as did the winner of the Bartley family sweepstake as Dave Bartley now of Dover one the bragging rights over brother Iain playing for the Wells.
This Saturday Wells have to produce the same spirit and incisiveness if they are finally to move up the London 1 South table when the snowed off game against Old Colfeians kicks off at 2 30 pm to be followed by back to back games when the firsts meet Thanet Wanderers in the 2nd Round of the Shepherd Neame Cup at St Marks KO 2:00pm on Sunday the 7th February.
TRY: Rob Harrison.
CON: Matt Murtagh
PEN: Matt Murtagh
For more pictures of this and other games visit Bruce Elliott's site HERE
Tunbridge Wells 2XV 29 v 12 Dover 2XV
With a weekend off league duties the two’s were able to setup a re-match with Dover II’s, to whom they had narrowly lost earlier in the season. In between the two games Dover had amassed 13 wins on the trot, including victories over Canterbury 2’s and Tonbridge Juddians 2’s, the otherwise unbeaten leaders of Invicta 1. With the 1st XV also playing Dover at home in London SE 1 it was all set for an interesting afternoon.
There were a few changes needed from the team that had beaten Sidcup last week. Mark Higgins stepped in to Hooker, releasing Skipper Miles to the back row, and young Ben Harwood replaced Dan Bettice at prop, Dan promoted to the 1’s. Steve Daly made his first start for months at number 8 replacing the injured McCaul, with Tom Doubell slotting in at scrum half after a long injury lay-off. Mark Goff shifted from 9 to 10, and was supported by Chris Richards and Ben Tuite in the centres (thanks Chris!).
Strange conditions underfoot, a mixture of mud and crunch, made running rugby difficult, but Wells began strongly controlling possession and territory through some good loose play. With Wells comfortable in the set scrums, credit to Ben Harwood and Nigel Follows especially, there was plenty of possession, but not much threat as phases broke down through minor errors or wrong decisions being made. Unfortunately our lineout was not functioning effectively (to be fair Dover were outstanding in this department) and this also served to thwart our efforts at opening up a lead.
Eventually Wells broke the deadlock with a well-struck pen from Goffy, and this was closely followed by the strangest try of the season. Dover’s full back fielded a deep kick and punted to touch. Simon Beamish, who had a fantastic all round game, caught the ball, which was a good yard over the touch line, taking care to make sure his feet were in play, he then ran down the touchline to score under the posts while the Dover players stood, watched and waited for the referee to award a lineout. Try scored, good refereeing, great concentration and awareness by Beams. Goffy converted for a 10-0 lead.
With Wells in control and the back row causing the visitors untold problems in the rucks, Wells’ continually hassled Dover’s half-backs, breaking up their rhythm and momentum. At the forefront was Mark Higgins, playing like a demented loose forward, and he was rewarded for his aggressive defence by a try just before half time, stealing the ball from a bemused Dover back like he was snatching a handbag from a defenceless granny. 15-0.
Wells needed points in the bag. Dover always looked dangerous, with strong forwards and quick, direct backs it was not hard to understand how they had won so many games. They showed their intentions immediately with a powerful drive up-field followed by a clean line break to score. With the conversion successful the score was narrowed to 15-7 and Wells were pleased to hear the halftime whistle.
Kenners made way for new South African Stuart Coe in the back row, and Ben Alexander replaced Ben Tuite at Outside Centre. Dover took no notice of the changes, taking a clean ball once again at the lineout to catch and drive for a simple score immediately after half time, closing the gap to 15-12. They then began to pile on the pressure, causing concern on the sidelines! Wells withstood significant pressure, finally introducing Mark Wilson to scrum half to replace the injured Doubell. With the change came more attacking purpose from the Supertwo’s as Wilson got the side moving forward. Wells went up a gear or two and some outstanding rugby was played by both forwards and backs. Two further tries followed, one finished by the impressive Alexander who looked very comfortable at Centre, the second by an invigorated Tom Pithouse, who was not going to be denied from close range. Goffy added the extras to give the home side an unassailable 29-12 lead. Dover’s heads dropped after Wells’ 25 minute masterclass in controlled, exciting rugby, and the game was won.
A good first half had been followed by an exceptional second half performance that saw the Supertwo’s beat one of the best second fifteen sides in Kent, comfortably. In the loose a number of Wells players should have been arrested for stealing so much Dover ball, and throughout the side the effort, concentration and skill was superb. Confidence is building and we now need to make much more effort to train together so that we can achieve our objectives this season.
TRYS: Simon Beamish, Mark Higgins, Ben Alexander, Tom Pithouse
CON: Mark Goff x3
PEN: Mark Goff
Leigh 1XV 24 v 7 Tunbridge Wells 3XV
Report to follow
TRY: William Vernon (Pen.Try)
CON: Simon Waymont
Tunbridge Wells VETS 17 v 3 Maidstone VETS
Wells hoped to continue their great season at home to Maidstone Vets this week. Wells fielded a full Vets sides with 2 youngsters in Ollie Crees and Luke Wrattan - Maidstone also had a young flier at 7. The pitch was not ideal, hard and bumpy after the heavy frost but ref Withers deemed it playable and it was game on. The return of skipper Fran Colangelo at fly half made for an impressive back line with a centre combination of Mike Rigby and expectant father Rob Rusbridge.
Andy Child made up the final part of the back 3 with the 2 youngsters and Paul Wheeler resumed at scrum half.
The front row of O'Driscoll, McCabe and Fermor were solid with Lea and Parr making up a good front 5. But is was the wells back row that were inspired tackling above and beyond the call of duty. Richard "Nelly" Nelson back for his annual bar duty returned at 8 and was outstanding along side Ade Rigby and Paul Irwin.
Despite the line up Wells were under pressure from the start as a formidable Stones pack got the upper hand in the scrums early on. Wells defence held firm and all the visitors got was 3 points from 10 minutes of pressure. Wells first attack however showed what they had in attack.
Some great driving led by Nelson supported by the pack allowed Paul Wheeler to snipe around the base of the scum and score the first try of the match 5 -3.
Maidstone had the Lions share of possession in the half but Wells defence was so strong Colangelo, Rigby and Rusty not missing a tackle all day and causing the Stones backs to make mistakes. From this pressure Rigby intercepted a wayward pass and the speedy centre was not going to get caught. 10 - 3.
As the half drew to a close further Wells pressure saw quick ball from Wheeler to Colangelo who took the ball at pace and sliced through the defence to score under the posts converted by Wheeler for a 17-3 lead. Stones shold have reduced the gap just before half time when Ade Rigby looked to put his winger away only to give an interception to the speedy Stones prop. A try was a certainty with only youngster Crees to beat - but young David slew Goliath with a great tackle 5 yards short of the line and Wells cleared their lines. Match defining moment from the debutant!
Wells made changes in the second half Maynard and Spiney Norman on for O'Driscoll and Lea. Stones continued to attack Wells, but all they hit was a brick wall. Tackle after tackle was made as the visitors got
frustrated by Wells doggedness. Wells gave away penalties as the pressure mount and tempers started to rise Rigby and Nelson getting warned by the ref - but Mr Withers had it all under control and his first assessed game as ref went by with no major incident.
Wells finished on a high trying to attack out of defence. A stalemate second half and a hard fought victory against a strong Stones side played in true vets spirit - hard and fair.
TRIES: Paul Wheeler, Mike Rigby, Fran Colangelo
CONS: Paul Wheeler
