Sevenoaks 8 - Dover 9
Dover Water Polo team continued their fine form in the kent league with a hard fought win at Sevenoaks. With only two players short of their first team expectations where high, and in the first quarter the team showed their strength by storming to a 3-0 lead. Sevenoaks showed fine spirit and rallied with some fine play. Dover missed some good chances and let the home team back into the game. After the third quarter the Dover team rued their misses and had to be rallied by the experienced players and stalwarts of the team player/coach Alan Smith and Lucas Bullard for the final quarter, trailing a goal down. The Dover team showed how much they have improved this season with some excellent play and two blistering goals from Byron Penny and an excellent save from Jim Davies ensured all the points went to the Dover side. The goal scorers where Andy Ayres (3) Byron Penny (3) Lucas Bullard (1) Alan Smith (1) and Charlie Hodgeson (1) with the rest of the team being James Davies ,Simon Gedge, Kye Westgarth, Dima Miller, Matt Basford and Nigel Whitehead
Sevenoaks v Dover A
Gentlemen, Well done to the “A” team who beat Sevenoaks 9-8 last Wednesday at Sevenoaks.
Team: ALAN, RUSSELL, ANDY, SIMON, NIGEL, MATT, DIMA, JIM, BYRON, CHARLIE, LUCAS, KYE. This is a wicked result and proof that we are continuing to improve.Well done guys especially to Simon who is now making substantial cracks to his “B” team mould.
Keep up the good work and effort.
Lee.
DOVER FESTIVAL OF SPORT
DOVER FESTIVAL OF SPORT brought a great game of water polo to the Dover leisure Centre on Saturday 5th June.
Dover had a very strong first quarter gaining a lead of 5-0 with two ripping goals from Byron Penny and two long distance goals from Matt Basford and one from Nigel Whitehead.
Going into the second quarter Calais got a goal back but Dover scored two more great goals one from Byron Penny and the other from Matt Basford.
At the start of the third quarter Dover gained a lead of 7-1, but Calais hit back with three great goals which could have easily been more if goalkeeper James Davis hadn't made so many great saves proving his ability as one of the first team goal keepers. Nigel Whitehead scored a goal to give us a lead of 8-4 going into the fourth and final quarter.
Dover put a lot more pressure onto Calais with great swims up either wing by Simon Gedge, Dan Gazzard and Joe Bisset. There was some strong pit work from Lee Wakeham and Kevin McCalden which brought four extra goals, one from Byron Penny two from Matt Basford one from Nigel Whitehead and one from Bradley Harvey, giving Dover a decisive win of 12-4. The Dover team is looking forward to a return match in Calais 2011.
Manager: Jason Harvey
Coach: Alan Smith
Secretary: Lee Wakeham
Dover 8 v 7 Monson
Third game of the 2010 Kent League season, a game that was always going to be a close encounter. Both teams deploying a hard pressing game. With the referee allowing a lot of defensive pressure it was hard for both teams to establish a flowing game. It came down to a game of strength and shots from around the arch. With seven of the Dover players getting on the score sheet it shows that the strength of the team is all round rather than through an individual.
The first quarter was a close affair, highlight being Charlie Hodgeson scoring a close range effort holding off a lot a Monson defender. 2-2 at the interval. The second quarter saw another early goal from a high pass towards the center of the goal which was controlled and finished well by Lucas Bullard. James Davies also made some excellent saves in the Dover goal to deny Monson the lead several times. Alan Smith scored a quickly taken free throw placed in off the far post from a tight angle. At halftime Dover were ahead by one goal at 4-3. The third quarter saw goals from Nigel Whitehead and Matt Basford. However, Monson never let Dover out of their sight replying with goals of their own. At the end of the third, 6-5 to Dover. With 90 seconds remaining a defensive error allowed Monson in to equalise at 7-7. Byron Penny scored the goal of the match with a long range effort striking the stantion of the goal and hitting the net with a lot of power. Dover managed to hang on in the last minute using experience to keep possession of the ball. Dover again showed how much they have improved under the coaching of Alan Smith over the past six months.
Team - Jim Davies, Byron Penny, Alan Smith, Matt Basford, Dan Gazzard, Simon Gedge, Kye Westgarth, Charlie Hodgeson, Lucas Bullard, Nigel Whitehead.
Major Fouls:- B. Penny (1), K. Westgarth (1)
Goal Scorers:- M. Basford (1), N. Whitehead (1), L. Bullard (2), C. Hodgeson (2), A. Smith (1), Byron Penny (1)
KENT LEAGUE 2010
Dover 12 v 11 Sevenoaks
The team gathers on poolside in eager anticipation for the first Kent League game of the 2010 season. The start of a new era at the club, with two years in exile Dover were back!!
Coach Smith began one of his infamous team chats preparing for the arrival of Bexley. When an eagle eyed Team Chairman Lee Wakeman approaches and advised the team that it’s a young Sevenoaks team in the car park. Chalk that up as a mistake by the Manager, Jason “Forgot the balls and VAT” Harvey. We will let him off after all the hard work he has put in. Without him the side would not exist.
With Dover in a strong position now a team was selected which included the following players – James Davies, Simon Gedge, Dan Gazzard, Kye Westgarth, Byron Penny, Matt Basford, Nigel Whitehead , Alan Smith, Lucas Bullard, Liam Steer.
The first period begun, with the sides exchanging early goals it was shaping up to be a close game. Attacking the shallow end it was a case of trying to hang on in there. A nice man up goal by Old dog Bullard kept Dover in touch at the end of the period, 2-3 Sevenoaks.
The second period was an important time in the game, we needed to try and get into a lead at half time putting pressure onto the young Sevenoaks side. However again it was tough with both teams exchanging goals and never being a larger gap than two goals throughout the match, 5-5 halftime.
The third period is always the most demanding generally where games are won or lost. Attacking shallow end it was again going to be hard. However in absence of our regular pitman, Lucas was pulling out all kinds of tricks. Helped by well timed and placed passes from around the arch. Sevenoaks were pressing around the arch not allowing the shooters into the match. With several goals The Old Dog kept Dover within reach of some league points, at the close of the period 9-9 to Sevenoaks.
At the start of the last period the prior efforts of the Old Dog were taking its toll, he expressed a need for a blow from pit duties. Sevenoaks altered their tactics in the break to stop any kind of pit play. A fabulous shot from Basford 9 meters out pushed Dover into the lead in the final period. Then tight defence and on the second attack of the period Coach Smith placed a perimeter shot in the corner to beat the Sevenoaks keeper. Sevenoaks battled back and after a quick fire double were back level with only 90 seconds to play. Dover attacked and after a quick dry pass into the pit Coach Smith released an early shot to beat the keeper. Sevenoaks restarted and called a timeout, however one second on the clock was not enough time to get set up. Final score 12 v 11 Dover.
Goal Scorer’s: Matt Basford 2, Nigel Whitehead 1, Lucas Bullard 5, Kye Westgarth 1, Alan Smith 3
Major Fouls: Nigel Whitehead, Kye Westgarth, Lucas Bullard 1 each!
Faversham B 6 v 7 Dover
East Invicta League
Going into this game off of the Norman Beadle success it was important we continued the standard we showed we can reach. It started well as the whole side were donning the new team trunks designed by team manager Jason, not a shark in sight fortunatly. Even the referee made comment on how professional we looked, (before a ball was thrown I add.) A solid first period saw Dover streak into a three goal lead with early goals from Charlie Hodgeson who appeared strong in the pit using those go go gadget arms and Alan Smith adding another from the arch. The Sharks playing a drop was very effective and the Faversham side looked dumb struck. If only there was a thirty second clock!! Faversham managed to pull themselves back into the game with a couple of nice long range shots and perhaps a couple incidents of lack of concentration in the defence.Two strikes from Simon "golden arm" Gedge and a nice top corner shot by Matt "Scotland" Basford saw Dover keeping a lead into the last period at 5-4. Reverting to a press the Sharks appeared slow on the up take. Faversham managed to pull themselves into a 6-5 lead with 90 seconds to play. However quick pit goals from Smith and Hodgeson right on the bell secured in my opinion a well deserved victory.
This was a good performance from the side when you consider what players were missing. This is a great sign that the strength of the whole squad is improving.
Dover Team - James Davies, Dan Gazzard, Alan Smith, Nigel Whitehead, Matt Basford, Simon Gedge, Charlie Hodgeson, Stuart Davies, Nick Keen and Kevin McCaden?
1st team players missing - Lucas Bullard, Chris Keen, Kye Westgarth, Dima,AndyAyres.
Norman Beadle Cup 2009/10
Saturday 27th February 2010
The Norman Beadle Cup Tournament was held at Swanley Leisure Centre and is made up of water polo teams from the Kent and Invicta leagues.
For this tournament each game would consisted of 2 x 5 minutes actual play and Dover were drawn in group A, comprising of Hythe, Bexley and Monson.
Dover’s first game against Hythe, the league champions and Norman Beadle winners for the previous two years was always going to be tough but with solid defending and many great saves from goal keeper Chris Keen, Dover managed to hold out finishing with a 7-6 score.
Dover’s second game was against Bexley and began well, scoring first and pushing Dover 4-0 up. However, only having seven players (no reserves) seemed to be taking its toll with a lack of concentration evident in defence. Bexley managed to score the winning goal with moments to spare, finishing 8-7 winners.
Going into the final game of the group stage against Monson, Dover knew that winning this game by ten goals would mean a place in the final. Showing great pace, endurance and superb finishing, Dover amazingly won the game 16-4 by scoring eleven goals in 10 minutes of play which is a great achievement by any standards and only goes to show how far Dover have developed as a team under new coach Alan Smith. Shooting around the arch from Matt Basford and Byron Penny was a particular highlight.
The final saw Dover meet Faversham “A” team who three days earlier had beaten Dover easily in the East Invicta League. Simon Gedge’s pressing on the wing was pleasing and managed to turn the ball over on several occasions. Each player in the final raised their performance to another level. Having played two games back to back with no rest and only seven players (no subs) was a true mark on the improved fitness of the team. Goals from Matt Basford, Byron Penny and Lucas Bullard sealed the win. Dover 5 v2 Faversham.
Dover Team:-
Chris Keen (Captain), Simon Gedge, Lucas Bullard, Byron Penny, Matt Basford, Kye Westgarth, Lee Wakeham (Secretary) Alan Smith (Coach), Jason Harvey (Manager).
Norman Beadle Cup 2009/10 - Saturday 27th February 2010
Dover travelled to Swanley Leisure Centre to compete in this competition which is based on results of the Kent League results from the previous year. A handicap formula is used dependant on the finishing position. The following clubs participated:-
Hythe (0), Beckenham (+1), Folkestone (+2), Bexley (+3), Monson (+4), Faversham (+5) and ourselves. As we were unable to enter a team in the Kent League 09 we were (+5).
Each game consisted of 2 x 5 minutes actual play. Dover were drawn in group A, comprising of Hythe, Bexley and Monson.
The first game against the league champions and Norman Beadle winners for the previous two years was always going to be tough. Hythe started strongly and opened their account early, however with Dover scoring two goals by Lucas Bullard and Kye Westgarth it was going to prove difficult to overcome the handicap. With solid defending and many great saves from goal keeper Chris Keen, Dover managed to hold out finishing 7-6.
The second game was against Bexley and began well, scoring the first two goals pushed Dover 4-0 up. However, only having seven players seemed to be taking its toll with a lack of concentration evident in defence. Bexley managed to score the winning goal with moments to spare, coming out 8-7 winners.
The final game of the group stage against Monson, having seen Hythe beat Bexley and Monson convincingly Dover knew that winning the game by ten goals would mean a place in the final. While others around the poolside didn’t seem to think this was possible Dover went to work. Showing great pace, endurance and superb finishing Dover amazingly won the game 16-4! Scoring eleven goals in 10 minutes of play is a great achievement and only goes to show you how far we have come as a team. Shooting around the arch from Matt Basford and Byron Penny was a particular highlight.
The final saw Dover meet Faversham, no handicap. A team who three days earlier had beaten us easily in the East Invicta Leaue. A well disciplined press denied Faversham’s shooters any chances. Simon Gedge’s pressing on the wing was pleasing and managed to turn the ball over on several occasions. Each player in the final raised their performance to another level. Having played two games back to back with no rest and only seven players was a true mark on the improved fitness of the team. Goals from Matt Basford, Byron Penny and Lucas Bullard sealed the win. Dover 5 v2 Faversham.
Dover Team:-
Chris Keen (Captain), Simon Gedge, Lucas Bullard, Byron Penny, Matt Basford, Kye Westgarth, Lee Wakeham. Alan Smith (Coach), Jason Harvey (Manager).
This success proves that we are moving in the right direction, without the efforts of Kye and Chris coming back from university to play this would not have been achievable. Hard work behind the scenes is also evident from Jason and Lee. They both put in a lot of time to ensure things run smoothly. I would like to thank them on behalf of all the players.
Tournament Scorers
Alan Smith 1, Matt Basford 4, Lucas Bullard 5, Byron Penny 5, Kye Westgarth 1, Chris Keen 3.
Tournament Major Fouls
Byron Penny 2, Matt Basford 1.
Faversham A 11 v 4 Dover
East Invicta League
24/02/10
With Dover having to travel to Kings School, Canterbury playing against a much improved Faversham, without their first team goal keeper, the game was always going to be tough. Putting Kevin in goal, who has never played in goal before in a first team match turned out to be very difficult for him with a score of 5v1 down at the end of the first quarter. However, in the second quarter Dover pulled the game together with some great breaks by Byron and Nigel on the counter thus drawing the second quarter 1v1.
In the third quarter Faversham came back very strong gaining a lead of 9v3 however, Kevin made some great saves in the third and fourth quarters displaying his talent as a future goal keeper! Dover came back well in the final quarter with some strong pit work from Charlie and good swims up the wing by Dan and defence from Lee and Stuart with Matt and Lucas holding the middle of the field.
A last effort from Dover giving Alan a final goal but Faversham kept the lead in the match.
Dover Team Alan Smith, Matt Basford, Lee Wakeham, Nigel Whitehead, Byron Penny, Kevin McCloud, Simon Gedge, Stuart Davis, Dan Gazzard, Lucas Bullard.
Goal scorers:- Alan 1, Byron 2, Nigel 1
Folkestone 12 v 8 Dover
East Invicta League
08/02/2010
Dover travelled to Folkestone for the second East Invicta league game of 2010, after the committee decided to use the EI League to gain experience for the whole squad several key first team players were left out.
Folkestone turned out a strong first seven which wasn't far from their best side. Dover used a good pressing game against a strong shooting side. This was defiantly the most impressive element of the game, putting into practice what had been taught in training. The game was close fought with Dima and Byron getting on the score sheet. Several key goal scoring opportunities were missed in attack when a shooting chance developed. Good pit defence from Nigel kept Dover in the game at the back.
In the second half the pressing game held up, however man up plays attacking the shallow end proved difficult with Dover not taking advantage of the opportunities. Goals in the second half for Kevin, Dema and Alan saw Dover keep the scoreboard close, however missing a lot of goal scoring chances saw Dover losing by four goals.
Although a defeat, the players should take their performance as a positive step with four first team players not playing. It is important that the second team continue to improve to keep the first team players on their toes. If you work hard it will be rewarded..... Well done.
Dover Team - James Davis Dan Gazzard Dima Miller Nigel Whitehead Byron Penny Kevin Mc Cloud Lee Wakeham Alan Smith Stuart Davis and Simon Gedge (Capt).
Goal scorers - Dima Miller - 3, Byron Penny,3 Alan Smith 1, Kevin Mc Cloud 1
Dover 8 v 9 Faversham
East Invicta League
14/01/2010
The first game of 2010 saw Dover come up against a much improved Faversham side, with the festive break and cancelled training the match would be the first time Dover had played since before Christmas.
Dover lined up with an impressive thirteen players which for any local side is an achievement in itself. The first period was an edgy affair with neither side really flowing, some sharp shooting from Faversham attacking the deep end saw them edge the first period at 1-3 . In the second period Dover hit back gaining the lead with some goals on the counterattack. At halftime the score was 5-4 The third period which is normally where the game is won or lost saw Dover retaining the lead of 7- 6, Dover looked to have the fitness over Faversham and controlling the game. In the final period Faversham picked their game up and finished their chances well, Dover where unable to keep possession of the ball. A turn around saw Faversham score the winning goal in the final seconds of the match.
Goal scorers Andy Ayers 1 Lucas Bullard 1 Alan Smith 2 Byron Penny 1 Dima Miller 3
Major fouls Andy Ayers 2 Lucas Bullard 1 Alan Smith 1 Matt Basford 1 Byron Penny 1
Dover team - James, Lucas, Alan, Andy, Matt, Dan, Dima, Simon, Stuart, Byron, Lee, Kevin, Joe.
Tuesday 26th January 2010 sees Dover travel to Faversham for the return match. With a training session this week hopefully we can turnover the score for the first victory of the season.
