U13s v Dover

Sunday 12th saw us travel to Dover for the first fixture of 2020. We had a great turn out of 14 players and was joined by 3 lads from Whitstable to allow them the chance to play, as they are having a little struggle with numbers at the moment.

The game was played at fast tempo on a very heavy pitch. Dover took first blood with a try from some great passing and use of the space on a large pitch. We made a solid response with a try from a maul to get over the line both sides continued to apply good pressure going forward and resilient defence with tackles from everyone.  Dover then managed to make a fantastic line break with only the space to beat the ball somehow found its way to the floor. But from a huge push at the scrum, Dover managed to win the ball back and spread it wide for a try. Another try was added quickly after that to make it 3-1. We continued to play some good rugby as tiredness started to show and was rewarded with a try down the right hand wing to make a score of 3-2 at the well deserved break.

The second half was played very much in the same way as the first with both sides showing great passing and catching. Both sides also showed great effort in the scrum on a very difficult playing surface, due to the wet and mud! Both sides started to show signs of the pitch taking its toll on fitness as the half wore on but neither side was giving up and giving it their all to the end. Both sides scored more tries with the try of the gaming going to dover, when the ball was cleared from their own try line with a kick up field which was chased and picked up under pressure from the rushing defence back to their own line but managed to force over the line for the score.

The final score being 6-4 to Dover. I would just like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the lads from both sides in the way the game was played and in the improvements shown in both sets of players from the start of the season.

The day was finished with a lovely meal and some friendly banter between the boys who are school mates and the bragging rights go to Dover this time, I'm sure the boys from Ash will be trying their best to reverse the result in the next meeting.

Finally a thank you to Dover for their fantastic hospitality as always and sorry about the way we left you pitch looking as described by the Dover coach more like a world war 1 battle field!

Anyone interested in giving rugby a try, we train on a Wednesday night at 7pm and on a Sunday at 10am. When there isn't a fixture please feel free to come along and have a go we are a very friendly and welcoming family club. You can get in touch through the contact details on the website.

Author: Neil