Dover crashed out of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup at the second round stage on Saturday following a 28-18 defeat at London 2 North side Chingford.

In bitterly cold conditions Chingford played the better rugby throughout and were comfortable winners as Dover fielded debutants Frogger Morton, Sam Coughlan and Arron Cooper, new signing Michael O’Donnell and injury returnee Rick Stanley.

The first half saw numerous basic errors from both sides. Martyn Beaumont’s penalty gave Dover an early lead, which was short lived as Chingford scored a penalty and a converted try.

Beaumont swapped penalties with his opposite number again, before scoring a try to pull the visitors within two points at the break.

In the second half a Chingford penalty and try, and two serious injuries to Sam McNamara and O’Donnell, left Dover with a mountain to climb. And despite Beaumont scoring and converting his second try, Chingford made the game safe with a converted third score.