TWRUFC Vets (Saxons) XV 29 vs Dover Vets 17

2nd Nov 2025, KO 14:30

Dover Vets - Home

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

Match Report: Ash Saxons vs Dover Veterans

Shepherd Neame Spitfire Gold Cup

The Saxons returned home for their first league game in years, with the veterans’ shed buzzing, the bar stocked, and skipper Kirk Williamson leading the men out in the Shepherd Neame Spitfire Gold Cup. After last time’s narrow defeat to Aylesford Bulls, the old boys were hungry for their first win of the season — and they didn’t disappoint.

The opening minutes were all Saxons. Some neat handling and quick passing saw the ball worked out wide where Jimmy O darted over in the corner after just five minutes. The conversion went slightly wide. Ash 5-0 Dover. Dover responded ten minutes later with a textbook driving maul, barging over from close range to level things up. Their kicker returned the favour by missing the extras. Ash 5–5 Dover.
At 25 minutes, Dan Norman made his mark, peeling off the back of a scrum (as confirmed, loudly, by self-appointed match correspondent Harry H). He powered through to score another unconverted try, giving the Saxons a slim lead. Then came what might go down as one of the most gloriously tragic moments of the afternoon. Under pressure from a Dover blitz, full back Tommy Whittaker tried to show he still had the wheels of his younger days — but quickly realised the legs didn’t agree. Out of pace and out of options, he attempted a one-handed slice to touch that went about five metres forward before dribbling meekly out of play. The crowd applauded the creativity, if not the distance.
Dover, smelling blood, hit back through the middle of a messy ruck on Ash’s 22, dotting down under the posts and slotting the conversion. Ash 12–10 Dover. Just before the break, Ash struck again. From a crisp lineout, the ball came off the top into the arms of Captain Kirk, who smashed through a gap and crashed over for the lead. The conversion drifted wide, but the home side went into halftime with their noses in front.

Half-time: Ash Saxons 15 – 12 Dover.

The second half was a proper veterans’ arm wrestle — a bit of skill, a lot of grunting, and plenty of penalties traded both ways. Then came one of those moments that will be talked about over a few pints for years to come.
A loose Dover ball was hacked forward by Kirk, who chased it down and gathered. The ball found its way into the hands of James “Birty” Birt, who galloped toward the line, flicking his iconic mullet as he crossed for the try. Whether it was pace, passion, or pure aerodynamic advantage, the result was the same: Ash extended their lead. And yes, Birty still insists he’s “still got it.”
Dover weren’t done yet, clawing back a try through another powerful maul on 65 minutes, but their kicker couldn’t add the extras. As the minutes ticked down, Dover looked to launch from a lineout deep in their own 22 — but chaos reigned. The throw went astray, and Jordan Thompson pounced, charging forward like a man half his age. The forwards piled in, rumbling to within inches, before JT took matters into his own hands — diving at the line with all the grace of a man who knew the bar was almost open with free pints. Try awarded, conversion good from Kirk.
After a bit more knit and grit from both side, the referee blew his final whistle to give the Saxon’s the first league win of the season. Full credit goes to Dover for a tough, old school but respectable fixture.

Full time: Ash Saxons 29 – 17 Dover Sharks.

It wasn’t the prettiest game, but it was exactly what the Saxons needed — grit, heart, and just enough fitness to get through eighty minutes.
The quote of the day surely comes from spring chicken Jimmy Birt: “Learnt wrong? Never lost it. Look and learn, young pups.” Tommy’s -5-yard slice into touch is surely a memorable but humorous moment of the game!
A first home league win in years, and the Saxons are finally up and running in the Spitfire Gold Cup. The clubhouse was loud, the beers flowed, and the veterans proved once again that class — and comedy — are permanent.