12:57pm Wednesday 8th September 2010
By John Ashton
Sutton & Epsom began their new rugby season by being outplayed by an impressive Dover performance on Saturday.
The visitors showed great handling and support play although a little cynicism brought the five penalties that made up Sutton’s score.
Sutton, relegated last season, can only help that Dover will be the special side in London One this season.
For the first 10 minutes, Sutton flattered to deceive having only a penalty from fly-half David Saunders to show for their efforts.
Dover then moved up several gears, scoring three brilliant tries in the next 10 minutes through left wing Ben Sedgwick (two) and Buster Collins.
Suddenly, Sutton trailed 15-3 and it all looked too easy for Dover.
Sutton rallied a little after this and mounted an attack of their own which culminated in Saunders kicking his second penalty.
Dover undeterred then ran in a further two tries before half time, right wing Ricky Mackintosh going over from a 5m scrum and then after umpteen phases of play showing they also had great patience and ball retention skills, centre Mike O’Donnell sped over wide on the right.
Sedgwick who had taken over as kicker converted the first for the visitors to lead 6-27 at half time.
Sutton made a promising start to the second half and only a cynical piece of defensive play by Dover’s hooker Matt Tomlinson kept them out.
He was shown the yellow card for this and Saunders kicked his third penalty.
With Dover down to 14 men Sutton had their best passage of play with some good breaks by flanker Ian White and centre Steve Munford but again failed to cross the line and had to settle for yet another penalty from Saunders.
When Tomlinson returned to the field Dover opened up again and a wonderful sweeping move was finished by flanker Buster Collins under the posts. Sedgwick converted.
Sutton at last gained some possession and attempted to run the ball out of defence but the ball went loose in the tackle and Dover quickly mounted an attack which put their captain fly half Martyn Beaumont over in the corner for an unconverted try.
After this Saunders and Sedgwick exchanged penalties and Dover went back to Kent happy with a good days work. Sutton have much work to do.
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