A bright, unseasonably warm autumn afternoon on Pitch 6 set the stage for a physical encounter as Dorking Colts hosted a confident Cranleigh side.
Cranleigh arrived on a strong run of form, eager to test themselves at a higher level. In contrast, Dorking used the fixture to utilise their squad depth, rotating 26 players with several shifting into unfamiliar positions. Focus was to maintain physicality, take territory and trust the system.
The game opened with the expected physical confrontations in the tight channels. Dorking drew first blood following a penalty for offside at the halfway line. Kicking for territory, the pack set up a lineout maul, driving over for Jimmy Straughan to score in the corner. Jack Haines, beginning a flawless afternoon with the boot, slotted the conversion. 7–0.
Cranleigh refused to be intimidated. Their hard runners punched holes in the Dorking midfield, capitalising on some soft tackling to break the line under the posts, conversion added; 7–7 after 20 mins. Dorking responded immediately with some crunching midfield tackling by Louie Shabrokh.
Building patient phases and working their way upfield, James G-L powered over from close range. Jack Haines added the extras to restore the lead, 14–7. However, the momentum shifted again as Cranleigh made ground through the middle. A Dorking infringement allowed the visitors to take three points, narrowing the gap to 14–10.
The half ended with Dorking under pressure, forced to manage a yellow card period with 14 men. The half-time talk focused on "system rugby"—relying on superior fitness and ball control to dictate the game. The message was received loud and clear. Dorking emerged with renewed focus and ferocity.
Early dominance in the lineout and sustained phase play saw Jimmy crash over for his second try of the afternoon, again converted by Haines. 21–10. The next score was a showcase of continuity between forwards and backs. Rapid recycling created space for Spike Davies to cross the whitewash, another successful conversion, Dorking pull clear at 28–10.
Smart rugby became the order of the day. The Dorking back three utilised a clever kicking game to pin Cranleigh back, establishing camp on the opposition 5-metre line. In a moment of individual brilliance, Henry O sold a dummy run that completely froze the defense, setting up Player of the Match Jack Haines to score a try to go along with his kicking duties. Haines converted his own score. 35–10. The game wasn't without late drama, as Dorking received a second yellow card for a late shoulder.
This forced further shuffling, with the versatile Max Waldron moving to scrum-half—his third position of the day. Despite being a man down, Dorking continued to press. Moving the ball wide with confidence, a sweeping move was finished by Seb Williams. Jack Haines maintained his 100% record from the tee to seal a comprehensive victory. A resounding win that demonstrated the depth of the Dorking squad.
While the first half was a wrestle for control, the second half was a masterclass in fitness, tactical kicking, and clinical finishing. Final Score: Dorking Colts 42 – 10 Cranleigh.
Next Up - OLD REIGATIANS AWAY.
Sunday 30 November
