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Haywards Heath 19 V DOVER 9
Dover travelled to East Sussex on a cold blustery Saturday. Recent weeks had not gone Dover's way a visit to Haywards Heath is never easy indeed Dover have never won there. Buoyed by the travelling support Dover hoped to get back on the winning trail.
Dover played up the slope into the wind and rain for the first half and Phillips got the game underway. Dover started brightly a solid defensive line prevented Haywards Heath using the slope to gain territory and it was the Heath who conceded the penalty 45 metres from goal which Phillips converted to give Dover a 3-0 lead after just a minute. Heath restart the game and the Dover pack keep it tight as they try and progress back up the slope. Slowly they trundled away but a lack of composure as they tried to open things up saw them lose possession, Heath attacked down the centre of the pitch, Dover's defence held firm but was caught offside at the ruck Heath restored parity at 3-3. Phillips restarts the game and Heath return the ball deep into Dover territory with the boot. Phillips retrieves the kick and returns play to halfway for a Heath lineout. The home side did secure the ball but Dover exerted the pressure and forced the knock on to win a scrum. Dovers scrum creaked a little but did keep possession. The ball sent out to the backs Jack Ayling crashed through the middle supported by Lee Tonks, Ayling had sucked in the defence unfortunately his pass to Tonks was held up in the wind and floated forward. Heath breathed a sigh of relief Dover were playing well and continued to put the home side under pressure as they cleared the ball just outside their 22. Dover's lineout ball was won by Blowers and again the forwards played through the phases and moved to within 10 metres of the line but were penalised for killing the ball at the ruck letting Heath off the hook. Dover had dominated the opening 20 minutes despite not adding to their tally, Heath had enjoyed little possession but things were about to change. Heaths penalty clearance took play 50 metres up the pitch assisted by the wind. Heath won there lineout and Dover pressed their backline forcing them back. Dover tried to retrieve the ball at the ruck but were penalised, the kick sent to touch it was Heath's turn to exert the pressure. They again won their lineout and played down the centre, they had extra numbers wide and sent the ball that way, Dover looked to have the danger covered but a couple of missed tackles saw Heath cross the line for a converted try 10-3. This was harsh all Dover's hard work undone. Heath now believed in themselves and had the better of the remainder of the half adding a further penalty to take a 13-3 lead into halftime.
Dover would have the advantage of the elements and the slope for the second half as Heath got the game back under way. Dover stated the half the same way as they started the first. Dover attacked through the centre, full back Eldridge joined the line to take play into the 22. The Dover pack battered away and Heath were caught offside. Phillips slotted the penalty 13-6. The restart bounced into touch for a Dover lineout. Dover were again dominant in the pack the forwards work rate was huge. Again they made the yards and as Farris peeled off the back of the ruck he sent winger Annakie into space. It looked like he was going to score in the corner only a brilliant tackle from the Heath fullback sending him into touch 5 metres out. Dover applied pressure on the Heath lineout as they scrambled it clear to touch on their 22. Lee Ambrose again found his man from the lineout and Dover set the rolling maul driving to within 10 metres. Dover looked to again move the ball wide but Heath were again offside for another penalty, Phillips accepted the 3 points to move within 4 with 25 minutes to go. Pat Sykes replaced Lee Tonks in the centre Dover looking to bolster their dominance. Heath again woke up deciding the best form of defence was attack. They pressured Dover backwards and won a scrum just outside Dover's 22. Again the defence was good but Dover were penalised for a late tackle despite the playing being fully committed. This led to the start of some confusing refereeing decisions, Ayling was the culprit and the referee was going to sin bin him but Heath claimed it was Sykes despite him being 10 metres away and it was he that was sin binned. Heath scored the penalty to increase their lead back to 7 points. Danny Robinson replaced Lucas in the front row and Dover looked to go again. Heath was enjoying a bit of possession with Dover a man down. They span the ball out to the backs, Ayling intercepted and was 20 metres clear when the Heath players claimed he was offside, the referee again listened to the players claims and awarded them a penalty. Dover was feeling hard done by but continued to play. They stole the ball at the lineout and took play to within 25 metres of the Heath line. Heath concedes another penalty and Phillips kick painfully slipped wide of the post. Sykes retook to the field and Dover made a couple more changes Lee Tonks for Ayling and Sluman on for Foster. Dover had become increasingly frustrated by the referee's decision making and questioned her awarding of a penalty which was then advanced 10 metres. Heath took their opportunity with Dover's frustration bringing a lapse in concentration. The home side took play to within 30 metres of the Dover line the visitors again penalised Heath slotted the penalty to move 10 points clear. With only 8 minutes to go this was now a tough ask for Dover. They did switch back on and won a couple of penalties which took play to within 5 metres. The lineout again solid the pack again battered away another penalty, this time Dover took a tap Dale Tonks crashed into the brick wall and Dover's pack gave it everything although they couldn't find away through. Erskine sent the ball to Phillips who brilliantly kicked the ball open into space, Charlie Halls looked to of secured a bonus point touching the ball down for the try. The referee decided it must have been knocked forward as she viewed it from 40 metres away and awarded Heath a scrum. The Heath touch judge informed her it was a try as did the Heath players so she confusingly awarded Dover a scrum. As both teams questioned the decision she decided to blow for full time with everyone left scratching their heads.
Dover was ultimately unlucky but was undone by their lack of concentration as they became frustrated by the official. There are many positives to take from this, the Dover defence had been much better and again the pack was solid. Jack Ayling made a great impact at inside centre. This week's man of the match was Lee Ambrose superb in the loose and the set piece he was at the centre of the forward dominance. Next week Dover welcomes Trojans to Crabble a team they saved from relegation last season with their victory against Portsmouth on the last day. Kick off will be 2.15pm
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Team: COOPER, AMBROSE, LUCAS, D TONKS (Capt.), BLOWERS, FOSTER, FARRIS, CHANDLER, ERSKINE, PHILLIPS, HALLS, AYLING, L TONKS, ANNAKIE, ELDRIDGE, ROBINSON, SLUMAN, SYKES.
Scorers:
Penalties: Phillips x 3
No photos this week as my wife and myself were both laid up with colds so missed this game.
