Dorking 29 – 12 Guernsey
Dorking win ‘end of term’ match
By Kevin Beal
Dorking ran out comfortable looking winners in a game where the heavy going pitch sapped energy and contributed to an error strewn contest which looked to be in the balance until the final ten. There was a distinct ‘end of term’ feel with many of the usual supporters away at HQ for ‘The Big Game’ (what can possibly be bigger than Dorking at home for the last match of the year??) and, perish the thought, Christmas shopping duties…….
Guernsey started strongly playing down the slope and camped in the Dorking half, and in what was to be prescient for the match butchered their first scoring chance with a final pass knock on. Dorking cleared their lines with a powerful set piece scrum penalty, but from the ensuing line out Guernsey stole the ball and charged back into the Dorking ‘red zone’ where they earned a penalty as the Dorking defence strayed offside. Eventually they took the lead through a try from Anthony Armstrong weaving his way past the usually tight Dorking defence, converted by Charlie Simmonds. 0-7
Finally getting some possession, Dorking responded with two tries, the first from Jasper King driving to the line following a period of sustained pressure in the Guernsey 22 and the second from his partner in the ‘row’. Dom Sammut, again following sustained forward pressure in both the set piece and the loose. In between the two tries the game spluttered as both sides looked to play expansive rugby but struggled to put phases together as passes went awry, balls were knocked on and players drifted offside. Result, a plethora of penalties and set piece scrums and for Dorking a number of missed opportunities. With Tom Hardwick on target with both conversions, Dorking took a 14-7 lead into the half time break, although in reality they could have been much further ahead.
Full back Max Coyle, who had scarcely seen the ball in the first half gave the half time team talk, and Dorking came out determined to rectify this. However a lengthy period at the start of the half where aerial ping pong reigned supreme meant that it was a full twenty minutes before the stalemate was broken as Dorking’s set piece scrum began to dominate, and George Head burrowed over following a succession of scrum penalties and a 5m lineout catch and drive. 19 – 7.
Coyle got his wish, but probably not as intended as an injury to Caleb Falloon meant he was pressed into service at scrum half, from where he did indeed see a lot more of the ball as the game reverted to the stop start pattern seen in the first half, mostly played in between the two ten metre lines. This is not to say that the game wasn’t entertaining or full blooded, just that neither side could best the other.
In the final quarter, with injuries mounting and a front row yellow card, Guernsey were forced to request uncontested scrums which actually worked to their advantage as they were no longer under pressure in the set piece. Retaining the ball from such a position in the Dorking 22, they spun the ball wide and Sam Boyland crossed for their second, unconverted try. 19-12.
With contested scrums reinstated, Dorking took control for the rest of the afternoon. Hardwick closed out the match with a penalty goal on the 75th minute, 22-12, and in the final move of the game following a monstrous set piece drive and ball delivered at pace down the back line, Callum Powell iced the cake with Dorking’s 4th, converted bonus point try.
Final score Dorking 29 – 12 Guernsey.
Director of Rugby Armand Roux commented:
“I’m really proud of the squad today and to bounce back the way they did was great to see.
We had a disappointing Bury result with lots of injuries and changes in the week.
They all rallied around and worked hard towards they Guernsey game.
If we reflect on it truthfully, we know we left 3-4 opportunities out there, alongside a fair few individual errors. The goal was however to get 5 points at home before the Christmas break and the squad delivered.
Great way to sign off the year”
Teams:
Dorking
Coyle, Sanders, Powell, Hotston, Williamson, Hardwick, Falloon, Connor, Rawlinson, Barry, Sammut, King, Bird, Elbrow, Scholes (c). Replacements - Head, Stephenson, Goodfellow, Butler, Barker
Guernsey
Roberts, Armstrong A, Armstrong M, McGann, Smith, Simmonds, Rutledge, Dromentas, Cantle, Curry, Godet, Croft, Welch, Rice (c), Creber. Replacements - Kent, Le Noury, Bray, Burger, Boyland
Star Man- Callum Powell (Dorking)
Scoring
Dorking
Tries- King (18) Sammut (35) Head (61) Powell (80)
Conversions Hardwick (19, 36, 80)
Pens - Hardwick (74)
Guernsey
Tries – Armstrong (11) Boyland (72)
Conversion – Simmonds (12)
Referee: Mr Phil Russell
Attendance - 420
