BackSat 07 Mar 2026 · Counties 1 Kent
Dover
1st XV
7
25
Home from Dover with a fine win.
Ian GEERING8 Mar - 15:11
This was by far the best performance of the season so far.......
A superb squad performance
In recent years Dover has been a difficult place to go and get anything out of the games played at the Crabble Hill ground. Saturday was an exception.
The game started brightly for ‘Borough playing up the hill in the first half. We took the game to Dover and within two minutes of kick off, after some close interplay between the back's, namely Will Pitman, Sean Bate, and Jared Hermann, Josh Jarvis latched on to the ball to score out wide. The kick was pushed wide of the posts. 0-5.
Within 5 minutes the scoreboard was on the move again with a similar move, in the same corner, and Jarvis was over the white wash with another unconverted try. 0-10.
The game now ebbed and flowed with defences being tested time and time again. We remained resolute and held firm for the best part of the afternoon. Dover, uncharacteristically never got going, and when they did break the line the final pass was knocked on, or a tackle was made to keep them at bay.
On 22 minute mark Crowborough suffered a double blow with inspirational Sammy Marchesi limping off with a hamstring injury, and prop Mike Van Sommeran leaving the field following an asthma problem which an inhaler failed to resolve. Marchesi was replaced by Connor Hand and MVS by Wez Barratt. The changes meant a major reshuffle in the backs, with Bate to scrum half and Hand into the centre.
The game continued apace. More and more opportunities came and went, with the home defence being punctured on more than one occasion. We controlled most of the set piece. The lineout was solid, scrums 50/50, and the maul's made ground on every occasion.
Half time 0-10.
In a deja-vu moment, albeit now playing down the slope, straight from the kick off ‘Borough were on the attack with Jarvis through and under the posts for his hat-trick. The Hermann conversion sailed over. 0- 17.
12 minutes into the second half, a break through the defence, Gus Weir side-stepping several defenders, great supporting lines, and an offload to Hand sees him score to the right of the up-right. Sadly the kick was missed again. 0 - 22.
Shortly after the try Crowborough were back on the attack with Andrew Kidd making a break through the centre. Having galloped 60 metres down the pitch he was stopped 15 metres short by last ditch Dover defending. The attack fizzled out with ‘Borough offending at the ruck, diving off feet in the contact area.
As the game headed toward its conclusion young Joe Chapman left the field to warm applause after a very solid performance. He was replaced by equally young Errol Munoz.
With 5 minutes to go, after Dover conceded another penalty for going to ground at the ruck in the home 22, Hermann promptly stepped up and stroked the ball through the posts for the 3 points. 0-25.
It had been a tough day for the home side with few attacks of note. They did however have the last word. With our boys out on their feet having given everything for this result today, tackling their hearts out, the dam was finally burst. We run out of defenders, and they crossed the line for a converted try, which they deserved for their efforts.
At the final whistle it was 7-25 and 5 vital league points in the bag. We stay in 8th but are now just 3 points adrift of Beccehamian who are still to come to Steel Cross.
The Crowborough coaches were delighted with the overall performance, by far the best 80 minute performance the boys have played this season.
Next week Crowborough welcome Deal & Betteshanger to Steel Cross in what will be a tough encounter. Kick off is 15:00.
In recent years Dover has been a difficult place to go and get anything out of the games played at the Crabble Hill ground. Saturday was an exception.
The game started brightly for ‘Borough playing up the hill in the first half. We took the game to Dover and within two minutes of kick off, after some close interplay between the back's, namely Will Pitman, Sean Bate, and Jared Hermann, Josh Jarvis latched on to the ball to score out wide. The kick was pushed wide of the posts. 0-5.
Within 5 minutes the scoreboard was on the move again with a similar move, in the same corner, and Jarvis was over the white wash with another unconverted try. 0-10.
The game now ebbed and flowed with defences being tested time and time again. We remained resolute and held firm for the best part of the afternoon. Dover, uncharacteristically never got going, and when they did break the line the final pass was knocked on, or a tackle was made to keep them at bay.
On 22 minute mark Crowborough suffered a double blow with inspirational Sammy Marchesi limping off with a hamstring injury, and prop Mike Van Sommeran leaving the field following an asthma problem which an inhaler failed to resolve. Marchesi was replaced by Connor Hand and MVS by Wez Barratt. The changes meant a major reshuffle in the backs, with Bate to scrum half and Hand into the centre.
The game continued apace. More and more opportunities came and went, with the home defence being punctured on more than one occasion. We controlled most of the set piece. The lineout was solid, scrums 50/50, and the maul's made ground on every occasion.
Half time 0-10.
In a deja-vu moment, albeit now playing down the slope, straight from the kick off ‘Borough were on the attack with Jarvis through and under the posts for his hat-trick. The Hermann conversion sailed over. 0- 17.
12 minutes into the second half, a break through the defence, Gus Weir side-stepping several defenders, great supporting lines, and an offload to Hand sees him score to the right of the up-right. Sadly the kick was missed again. 0 - 22.
Shortly after the try Crowborough were back on the attack with Andrew Kidd making a break through the centre. Having galloped 60 metres down the pitch he was stopped 15 metres short by last ditch Dover defending. The attack fizzled out with ‘Borough offending at the ruck, diving off feet in the contact area.
As the game headed toward its conclusion young Joe Chapman left the field to warm applause after a very solid performance. He was replaced by equally young Errol Munoz.
With 5 minutes to go, after Dover conceded another penalty for going to ground at the ruck in the home 22, Hermann promptly stepped up and stroked the ball through the posts for the 3 points. 0-25.
It had been a tough day for the home side with few attacks of note. They did however have the last word. With our boys out on their feet having given everything for this result today, tackling their hearts out, the dam was finally burst. We run out of defenders, and they crossed the line for a converted try, which they deserved for their efforts.
At the final whistle it was 7-25 and 5 vital league points in the bag. We stay in 8th but are now just 3 points adrift of Beccehamian who are still to come to Steel Cross.
The Crowborough coaches were delighted with the overall performance, by far the best 80 minute performance the boys have played this season.
Next week Crowborough welcome Deal & Betteshanger to Steel Cross in what will be a tough encounter. Kick off is 15:00.
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