Dorking Succumb to Raiders Advances
Worthing Raiders 35-26 Dorking RFC
By Kevin Beal
The Dorking and Worthing Raiders faithful turned out in numbers to see the second leg of what passes for a local derby in the National Leagues. Having taken the victor’s laurels 44-24 back in September, the Dorking posse were in good spirits but were anticipating a tight encounter, as indeed it turned out to be, and neither set of supporters would have been disappointed by the standard of rugby on display which saw the home side run out winners by a nine point margin. In a fast flowing and open game Dorking were ultimately unable to capitalise on their possession and territory advantage as Raiders staunched Dorking’s recent flood of tries with tight defence and some excellent cover tackling, as well as making the most of the scoring chances they created.
Dorking started well with Finn Osborne held up over the line in the opening salvoes and a Jasper King interception try from half way after just six minutes of play, converted by Killian Wilson. Raiders responded immediately taking play back into the Dorking half, but as was to be the pattern of the game, gave away a succession of penalties from which Dorking were able to counter attack. Camped in the Raiders half, the Red & Whites were however unable to turn pressure into points, and eventually Raiders full back McLean fielded a chip kick through and returned it taking play back up field into the Dorking half where Dorking gave away a penalty. A good catch and drive from the ensuing line out sucked in the Dorking defence, freeing up Raiders try machine Curtis Barnes to score in the left hand corner, with the conversion by McLean. 7-7
Two further tries in quick succession through Fred Dalton and George Jackson, one converted by Killian Wilson saw Dorking take a 7-19 lead on the 26 minute mark, and with Raiders 8 Frank Taggart invited to take a 10 minute breather for repeated ruck infringements, Dorking looked to take advantage of the extra man. But the 14 man Raiders had other ideas and a quick break out down the left wing following a Dorking handling error put fly half Connor Slevin in the clear for a converted try. 14-19 with 30 minutes gone. Dorking’s forwards led by Finn Osborne seemed to have the upper hand but too often their Raiders counterparts were able to slow the pace, denying quick ball to the backs. On the 40th minute a perfectly executed catch and drive from a 5m line out saw Raiders take the lead with a try near the posts from their 150 cap hooker Elliot Luke, converted by McLean.
Dorking Started the second half as they had the first with another second row try, this time from Steve Howarth, converted by Killian Wilson. The 21-26 lead was to last until the 70th minute of the match as both sides, having clearly done their homework at half time nullified each other’s attacks. A sustained period of Dorking dominance in the Raiders half yielded nothing other than a missed long range penalty shot, and successive Raiders line breaks were snuffed out by staunch Dorking cover tackles. Raiders finally broke through with a well worked backs try through centre Jack Forrest, converted by McLean, retaking the lead 28-26.
The final ten minutes saw possession see-saw between the two sides; and as Dorking pressed forward and the clock ran down mistakes crept into both sides’ play. A promising Dorking move minutes from the end was thwarted as Raiders turned the ball over and cleared their lines for a Dorking line out. Sadly the call was misinterpreted and the ball balooned into the grateful arms of Raiders prop Caleb Ashworth who bullocked his way to the line for a (converted) try to finish the game.
Final Score Worthing Raiders 35 – 26 Dorking
DoR Armand Roux Commented
It was one of those frustrating days for us today. The passing was not as crisp and we veered away from our structure and paid the price.
I cannot fault the effort and the desire of our players and even with 1min left, I felt we could go the length, but not to be.
Credit to Worthing for capitalising on our mistakes, and they took their chances really well.
Teams:
Dorking: Cowell, Riches, Mosley, Wilson, McRae, Ramsden, Jackson, Birch, Ellis, Catton, King, Spurgeon, Scholes, Dalton ©, Osborne F, Osborne C, Howorth, Powell, Grant, Bristow
Worthing Raiders: McLean, Derrick, Forrest, Sims, Barnes, Slevin, Davies, Clarke, Luke, Ashworth, Lake, Ure, Perkins ©, Hoare, Taggart, Doorey-Palmer, Adams, Sunray, Rigelsford, Ravaudet
Referee: Tom Bird
Photos by John Watkins
