DOVER Rugby Club entertained Esher Academy on Saturday, in four 20-minute games, with rolling substitutions, and some keen young guns anxious to make an impression.

Esher whose first XV play in the National League Division 1, run eight senior sides and the academy team is one of their serious as opposed to social sides.

So on a day when their top players were earning themselves silverware at Twickenham in the Middlesex Sevens, a well drilled and prepared squad came to Crabble to show their potential.

They were an excellent side, and great vision and execution meant the games were testing for both sides.

Dover were without seven or eight 1st XV players from last season due to injuries, holidays and work, including captain Martyn Beaumont and pack leader Dave Bartley.

But while the Beaumont brothers were sidelined the Annaki brothers stepped up along with Jagger and Plews, and Mick O'Donnell was able to show off his running skills so sadly missed last season due to injury.

The referee was ex-Dover player and RFU fast-track referee Dan Parrott, who was able to show the players the rule interpretations and changes for the new season.

Dover's scrummaging was awesome throughout, sending Esher backwards on several occasions, and scrum-half Murray was in his best form ever, causing Esher some real headaches.

Dale Tonks' welcome return from injury allowed him to join Sluman for some excellent ball carrying and good scrummaging, while Buster Collins, Jon Foster and Ryan Davidson were everywhere.

There were many positives which should stand the club in good stead for the season ahead.

The squad followed this up with swimming and aqua aerobics at the Dover Leisure Centre and on Sunday there was again an excellent turn-out.

This Saturday Dover travel en-masse to Medway for further friendly games, as preparation reaches its final stages.