Dover 24 Thanet Wanderers 3
The gap at the top of London 1 South is now just one point after Dover strolled to a derby victory over Thanet and turned up the heat on leaders Gravesend.
Having twice been postponed, the fixture finally got underway with Dover playing down the Crabble slope, although it was Wanderers who made the brighter start.
Missing Ben Murray and captain Martyn Beaumont, the Sharks were forced to defend doggedly in the early stages but they broke the shackles when Blair Charge kicked a 12th-minute penalty to open the scoring.
The hosts then scored a superb try to move 8-0 in front as Nick Ford and Ricky Mackintosh spread the ball to set up Lee Tonks, who crashed over.
Charge missed the conversion and Dover then became overly static, making too many basic errors, although their defence remained as firm as ever and the lead was still eight points at the interval.
Thanet kicked a penalty early in the second-half but that was the only time they troubled the scorers, with Dover controlling the remainder of proceedings.
Flanker Buster Collins raced through from the Thanet 22 to score in the 61st minute, with Charge not only converting but adding three further penalties to see Dover comfortably over the line.
Dover have now won 13 consecutive games and could go top with a win at home to Sidcup on Saturday. Sidcup sit fourth in the division and have been in good form of late, so Dover’s title credentials will receive another stern test.
POSTED: 09/02/2010 08:33:20
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: