Jersey Rugby Football Club 12 – 34 Dorking RFC
Powerful Second Half Secures the Win
By John Watts
It’s been a while since these two clubs faced each other - 18 years apparently and, rather worryingly, it seems like only yesterday. Jersey were then on their meteoric rise to the dizzy heights of the Championship and rebranding themselves as Jersey Reds. On that occasion we got a lesson in power play (and some) by other islanders from even warmer climes. During that pre-match lunch Ted Ivens, for his presidential address, entertained with a rendition of the old rugby song ‘side by side’. Yours truly assured everyone that there would be no follow up act much to everyone’s relief. As then, the hospitality on Saturday was excellent and a fine lunch was had by all. Possibly too fine….
As to the game - a very good playing surface promised a good afternoon’s entertainment. A strong wind blowing down the pitch was always going to prove tricky for the kickers and for Dorking playing into it for first half it was. But it would prove to be advantageous playing with it at the tiring end of the second half.
The opening passages of play were fairly even - Jersey had a good side out with good ball handling and retention and a fully functioning line-out. One area where they were inferior was in the set piece scrum, and it’s fair to say that the Jersey Boys had a bit of a torrid time up front.
The first score was to Dorking as Olly Rawlinson drove over from the catch and drive lineout. Henry Anscombe’s conversion missed - it was deceptively windy. Score 0-5. Jersey then upped their game - they had some good attacking moves - and a well executed play in the centre resulted in a converted try close to the posts. Score 7-5. A scrum penalty to Dorking offered a chance to keep the pressure up and Henry Anscombe slotted it neatly. Score 7-8. The wind did keep Dorking pinned back in their 22 and possession from a line out on Dorking's 22 gave the opportunity for Jersey to score another well worked try. Not converted. Score 12-8.
The game had been played, generally, in good spirit and it was surprising to see Will Scholes receive a yellow card for some misdemeanour that I wasn’t aware of myself. As I said it was a fine lunch. Despite being a man up, Jersey were unable to capitalise on the advantage, and the half ended without further score, 12-8 to Jersey.
In the second half and with the wind now in Dorking’s favour and together with plenty of scrum advantage and associated penalties Dorking were able to slowly turn the screw. A 5 m attacking scrum allowed Tom Newman to power over, converted by Henry Anscombe, score 8-15
But it’s not all an arm wrestle up front and Dorking's backs are having a lively afternoon allowing The Colonel to gallop in for a fine try out wide for Henry to convert. Score 12-22. Dorking by this stage have the game under control - the scrum continues to dominate and from a scrum close to the Jersey line Finn Osborne picks and goes over to score shrugging of some determined tackles in the process. No conversion. Score 12-27.
The final phases of the game are pretty much all in Jersey’s half and repeat the pattern of the afternoon. Scrum advantage and close in hard yards result in a final score from George Jackson, converted by Jack Thorn. Score 12-34
As the game comes towards a close Tom Newman receives a yellow for a deliberate knock on which adds a slightly sour note to the end of a very commendable effort by the Dorking side. Final score 12-34
Jersey are an excellent and welcoming club and we genuinely wish them well and hope to match their generous hospitality on the return fixture.
Armand Roux Said:
Really pleased with our second half and using the slope and conditions to suit our strengths.
Even more so was pleasing to see the togetherness of the squad and how they identified what to go after and effectively executing.
There were errors and we were not perfect in the slightest.
I would like to say a massive thank you to all our traveling supporters who made the effort to travel to Jersey and support the team.
Dorking Supporters do love an away day!
Team:
Thorn, Sanders, Heath, Heber, Barker, Anscombe, Newman, Litchfield, Rawlinson, Barry, Sammut, King, Scholes ©, Elbrow, Osborne. Replacements – Tyson, Stephenson, Wilkie, Chambers, Jackson
Photos:
Neil Haynes
