Guernsey 12 - Dorking 36
Dorking Mount Successful Raid at Footes Lane
By Jon Watts
Thirteen and a half years separated this fine away win at Guernsey Raiders from the last time the Red and Whites were victorious in the Bailiwick. On that September afternoon the scoreline was just 6 - 11. A thriller!
So, back to Saturday’s game. Playing conditions were superb at Foote’s Lane on a lovely dry day with little wind and an excellent playing surface.
Early exchanges were mostly in the home team’s favour as Dorking took time to settle and the referee penalised accordingly - all rather frustrating for player and spectator alike. A clearance by Dorking was charged down and, with a deeper in-goal area (this was the bare minimum 8 metres to allow for a running track), this could have seen Raiders open the scoring. Nervy stuff and just about what we’ve come to expect with this away fixture. There was further frustration as a yet another penalty was moved on 10 metres for back-chat but fortunately Dorking redeemed themselves with a line-out steal and clearance of their lines.
With almost a quarter of the game over, Dorking finally found some rhythm as a clever kick by George Jackson brought them into the Raiders 22 where the ball was jackled superbly by Finn Osborne. Subsequent play across the field earned a penalty for the Red and Whites which was kicked to the corner for an attacking line out. A catch and drive and Tom Bloomer was over to score, and with Henry Anscombe’s kick drifting just wide it was 0-5.
The set piece scrums were pretty evenly matched and thankfully penalties were few and far between in this area. The Dorking front row were, however, penalised for lowering the scrum as Finn Osborne picked up the ball up at the back of the scrum. The subsequent penalty kick took the Raiders to the Dorking 5 metre line and the play out wide and back saw a high tackle yellow card take Tom Bristow to the sin bin. And this is a sin bin - a converted wheeled waste/recycling bin in bright green and situated in a prominent position on the side lines! Very funny - but, I believe, at odds with article 3 of the ECHR and the right not to be treated in a degrading way. I know a good lawyer Tom…..
With Dorking a man down, more pressure from the Raiders saw them take the lead with a well worked try by hooker Ceillam and conversion by Teasdale. 7 - 5. Dorking rallied following this set-back and started to pressure the Raiders line despite being a man down. More pressure on the Raiders and the tackle height crept into the yellow zone for the Raiders prop Currie, next to be put into the bin, but Anscombe’s penalty shot at goal was, to the home side’s relief wide.
Dorking’s midfield had been pressing ferociously all game - they didn’t give the Raiders much time on the ball and eventually ‘The Colonel’, Will Sanders, seized his chance and took a lovely intercept for a converted try beneath the posts. Further pressure on Guernsey was rewarded with another penalty which was duly slotted by Henry to take the score to 7 - 15 as the teams left the field for half time.
Second half and the away supporters were in hopeful mood - but always being aware of the history of this fixture – a lot more clear water needed to be put between the sides before anyone could get ahead of themselves. The Raiders have a good side and always look dangerous with the ball in hand and solid in defence, so it was therefore to everyone’s surprise and delight when The Colonel went on an arcing run through a number of attempted tackles to earn a wonderful solo, but unconverted try out wide. 7 - 20.
The restart was not handled well by the Red and Whites and the resulting scrum to Raiders allowed them to get back into the Dorking 22; the pressure was soaked up by resolute defence and the threat faded. Dorking then pressured Raiders lines and the resulting penalty was slotted by Anscombe to take the score to 7 – 23. At last the supporters could start to hope that this might be the result they’ve been waiting over decade or so for!
This deficit required the Raiders to push their attack so much so that they were vulnerable to the Dorking rush defence and sure enough big Finn intercepted a loose pass to gallop away before releasing Toby McRea to crash over in the corner. One must sympathise with a defence that has just had to stop the resolute and intimidating Osborne, only to then be presented with the challenge of stopping the equally physical McRea. The conversion drifted wide, taking the score to 7 – 28 as the match entered the final quarter, and with Jasper King clearly struggling with a leg injury, he was replaced by Joel Grant.
The yellow cards were now making a regular appearance and the bins filling up nicely. Firstly Raiders lock Webb and then Dorking’s lock Daragh Chambers both off to do their time. As Webb returned, Raiders opted for an attacking scrum after a kick to the corner and a Dorking line-out infringement, and restored to full complement they made their man advantage count with a score out wide by full back Roberts. A well struck conversion bounced off the upright and it was 12 - 28.
Throughout this period of the game one sensed that Dorking had to keep the boot firmly on the Raiders throat or they’d claw their way back into the game. The ebb and flow continued but the Red and Whites were back on the front foot as McRae went very close with the supporting Joel Grant going over in the far corner. The conversion was wide, 12 - 33. Coach then added some fresh legs and a very lively bench of Adam Musa, Dan Riches, Cal Watson brought fresh impetus which resulted in a penalty 30 metres out which Anscombe slotted to take the score to 12-36
And there the score remained for the last few minutes. A very rewarding day for Dorking who had a bit of a monkey to get off their backs with this one. Considering the many injuries and changes over the past few weeks this was a very impressive win indeed, with the other results in the league now clearly showing Dorking the achievable target of second place. And then, well, who knows what?
Director of Rugby Armand Roux commented:
“Very pleasing result against a strong Guernsey team.
We spoke about energy on both sides of the ball and the squad really delivered on that today.
Some special moments in the game today. Offloads, try saving tackles and solo efforts. All the result of some fantastic teamwork.
It was even more special with the amount of Dorking support here today”
Teams:
Guernsey: Roberts, Armstrong, McGAnn, Teasdale, Smith, Simmonds, Boyland, Steventon, Ciellam, Currie, Hillier, Webb, Creber, Rice, Culverhouse. Replacements- Dunn, Burger, Hackett, Rutledge, Rice
Dorking: Andresen, Sanders, Hotston, Anscombe, McRae, Holland, Jackson, Birch, Ellis © Bristow, Chambers, King, Howorth, Bloomer, Osborne. Replacements-Watson, Connor, Musa, Grant, Riches
Photo Credit: Martin Gray
