Dorking Colts headed up the A24 on Sunday morning into the unknown - or Merton to be more precise. This was the first outing for the age group in a competitive fixture, allowing the coaches to pick a smaller match day squad. We knew a bit about the opposition - a strong pack with a crop of players in the Harlequins academy - but not much more. We also headed north in torrential rain, not knowing what to expect from the elements.
The omens were good as we arrived. The sun was starting to break through and the rain had made the pitch - at a local primary school - at least playable. The opposition turning up in dribs and drabs was also encouraging.
The Dorking boys were on it from the off. A lovely hanging kick off from Oli Shepherd was athletically fielded by Will Darbishire. Dorking then went through a number of phases, showing good patience, camping down in the opposing 22. Old Ruts couldn't clear their lines and from an overthrown opposition lineout, prop David Terry fielded the ball and threw out a pass to the backs. After a couple of strong carries and good recycling by the forwards, Callum Powell made a break and fed Will Simpson to score in the corner. 5-0.
After Dorking dominated the first 10 minutes, Old Ruts gradually began to get into the game with some strong carrying in the forwards, favouring the pick and go even from their own line. After some sustained pressure, Dorking gave away a penalty 10 metres from their own line. A quick tap by Old Ruts and a couple of strong drives saw them score out wide. 5-5. Dorking now knew they were in a game and sadly also lost their playmaker, Ollie Shepherd, to a nasty looking shoulder injury.
Old Ruts were suddenly lifted, taunting the Dorking boys with cries of "They don't want it!". This couldn't have been further from the truth. From the resulting kick off, Old Ruts spilt the ball. Dorking went through a couple of phases from left to right and Callum Powell broke the line and again fed Will Simpson to score out wide. 10-5.
The Dorking pack were now starting to exert some real pressure on the bigger Old Ruts pack, particularly at scrum time. From a scrum free kick, pack leader Ed Monk took a quick tap and fed the backs who yet again breached the Ruts defence out wide for a third try in the right-hand corner, finished off by Charlie Nichol. 15-5 to Dorking at half time.
Into the second half and after a messy start by Dorking, the backs drifted offside under their own posts and Ruts took the 3 points on offer rather than kicking for the corner. 15-8. Dorking were now under sustained pressure from Old Ruts and started falling foul of the referee, giving away a number of penalties on the floor. From one of these, and yet another pick and go, Old Ruts squeezed over for another short-range try. 15-13.
The game hung in the balance until the momentum shifted with a huge hit by winger Thomas York, cutting his opposite number in half and driving him back a couple of metres in the tackle. Owen Rowlands and Toby Mead piled into the subsequent ruck, turning the ball over. Dorking then spread the play wide, and after a couple of phases Will Darbishire scored in the far corner. 20-13.
Dorking were really fired up now characterised by a barnstorming run by prop Duncan Scott, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.
Then, from another dominant Dorking scrum, Callum Powell (slotting in at 10) powered through the Ruts defence from his own 10-metre line, for an outstanding individual try. He added the afters for a final score of 27-13.
This was a great all-round performance from the Dorking squad. The boys have adapted quickly to a new setup and the interlinking between backs and forwards was very impressive for a first competitive outing. They also deserve particular credit for coming through a period of adversity in the middle section of the game and finishing so strongly.
