Final Score: Haywards Heath 14 - Dorking Colts 24
Dorking secured a hard-fought win against a determined Haywards Heath side in a match that tested both teams' attack and defence. The game began with a period of intense Dorking pressure, with the team camping on the Haywards Heath line. However, the visiting team displayed great defensive grit, withstanding the assault and clearing their lines, keeping the match scoreless.
Dorking’s persistence eventually paid off after 17 minutes. Good exit play and control in the Heath 22 earned Dorking a penalty, which Ellis Long successfully converted to open the scoring at 3-0. Dorking continued to build on this momentum, and at the 25-minute mark, applied consistent pressure inside the Heath 22. After a controlled lineout and excellent recycling, a well-timed pass from Ben Hemmings found Seb Williams, who strolled over the line to score under the posts. Ellis added the conversion, extending the lead to 10-0.
Both sides neutralised each other for the next 10-15 minute period with strong tacking in the mid field by Toby Shepherd. Dorking started to find width and got the ball to Player of the Match Seb Williams, who broke tackles and scored under the posts, with Ellis converting to make it 0-17 with five minutes to half-time. After the restart, Dorking overplayed in their 22, and Heath, with strong recycling and multiple phases, scored against the run of play to go in 7-17 at half-time.
In the second half, Dorking began to find territory and neutralised attacks from Heath. As the forward pack started to exert their dominance, the Heath back line was pulled in to defend. Zack Simpson identified space in the backfield and executed a deft kick over the defence, which was collected by Ellis Long, who ran in for a try under the posts. The conversion brought the score to 7-24.
However, Haywards Heath showed their determination and fought back to the Dorking 22 with 20 minutes remaining. At the 55-minute mark, after a period of sustained pressure, Heath secured repeated penalties against Dorking. From a penalty on the five-metre line, Heath recycled the ball well and scored a converted try under the posts, closing the gap to 14-24.
There were some heated moments as Dorking maintained control of possession and territory until the final whistle to secure the win. Next up in the National Cup, Havant at home
