Men’s 1st XV v Dover 08/04/2006

Home – London 4 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Drawm 25-25

The last league fixture of 2005-6 gave Hove the chance to get revenge on Dover who had beaten us by a small margin in the away League and Powergen Cup matches. Hove having been ahead in both games at half-time and both being played in ‘muddy-paddy field conditions’.Revenge was also required due to them ‘getting’ several of our team ‘rat-arsed’, Chris Watton to name but one.

Dover arrived with their U17 side which was beaten by a very good Hove U17 team display. The main match started at a brisk pace and Hove going ahead after 5 mins. through a penalty from Adam Phillips, 3-0. After 20 mins. of the half Dover scored two unconverted tries within 3 minutes of each other to lead 3-10.

Hove responded on the half hour with an unconverted Try by Nick Marshall, which turned out to be the final score of the first half. (8-10)

The second half started as the first, with Adam Phillips scoring 3 points via a drop goal this time to put Hove into the lead 11-10. The game settled down until the 70th minute when Dover scored three unconverted tries in 5 minutes to take a 25-11 lead.

With less than 4 minutes left on the clock, Hove attacked and scored a try from Joe Broun and Adam Phillips hastily drop kicking the conversion to take the score to 18-25. In the dying seconds, Alex Robertson out sprinted his opposite number for Hove to score the final try between the posts and again Adam Phillips drop kicked the conversion to take the final score to 25-25.

The whistle was blown after the kick. Did Adam know the score at the time? A great and entertaining game from all, the evening’s celebrations were also a close run event. Even the injured Dover scrum-half returned in plaster to ensure Dover’s drinking squad was in full complement.

Eight Dover players decided to carry on the exchange, by not returning via the coach, but went ‘clubbing’ with their opponents. We have not heard of any incidents of Dover players not getting back home on the Sunday.