Gravesend 22 Dover 16

Dover's hopes of a winning start to this season’s London 1 South campaign effectively ended by half-time at Gravesend on Saturday.

In what was a carbon copy of last year’s clash, Gravesend took advantage of the wind and slope and, combined with unforced errors, missed tackles and some aimless kicking, took a 22-0 lead into the change around.

With new recruits Dave Bartley (prop), fly-half Nick Ford and winger Justin Marx making their debuts, Dover started well and their opening passages of play looked promising. However Gs scored the opening try from their first attack and bossed the rest of the half with ease.

The second 40 minutes proved more fruitful for Sharks and Blair Charge kicked an early penalty. Mick O’Donnell’s run of bad luck continued and he left the field shortly into the second half with an arm injury but, reorganised, Dover kept pushing and from Ricky Mackintosh’s run Martyn Beaumont collected a loose ball and scored before Charge added the extras.

Charge slotted a further two penalties and Dover were out of luck in the final moments after they were adjudged to have made a forward pass as they closed in on their hosts.

Sharks take on Maidstone in their first home game of the season on Saturday.