Old Albanians 28 – 43 Dorking
Five Points On The Road A Reward For Persistence
By Jon Watts
Dorking have had a clean sweep of victories over OA’s in recent seasons, but they are a young, talented and improving side who never give up. With a slow coach journey around the M25 car park and a large home crowd to contend with, the Red & Whites were under no illusions that this would be anything other than a tough encounter. As indeed it was.
A game of two halves. Terrible cliche I know and not entirely accurate as Dorking began to recover from a very scratchy start a little earlier than the half-time break.
A very lively and skilful OA side had got off to a good start with some intricate interplay from a quick line out, securing a score under the posts for Greg Lound. 7 - 0. Throughout this opening quarter Dorking made a couple of excellent turnovers only to lose the ball in unforced handling errors - all very frustrating for players and supporters alike - a large and voluble following had come along to the excellent Woollams ground. We must be one of the best supported clubs in the league. Thank you for your service!
The set piece action is a big improvement on last week - but that’s a low bar! The line out is much better with the scrum achieving some semblance of parity. Eventually the mercurial and imperious Tom Howe, on a perfect line, following a secure line out breaks two tackles to score under the posts to settle nerves. 7 - 7. It is a short lived respite and, after yet another handling error following a wonderful turn over, the OA centre Stephen Hihetah gathers the ball and is in just to the right of the posts. With Sam Jones’ conversion good it’s 14-7.
The score rejuvenates this fiercely determined OA side and, after another Dorking spill, OAs regather to receive an adjudged high tackle. The penalty kick puts them 5m out from the Dorking goal line and the ensuing catch is driven over for Charlie Fleckney to score, again converted by Jones. Dorking are now 21 - 7 down and the evergreen Mr Dependable Steve Howarth is off with a hamstring injury. Adam Musa is on in the back row. More of the same - some bullocking runs from Jasper King and Finn Osborne come to nought and OAs continue to look dangerous with ball in hand. Charlie Connor is replaced by Tom Bristow.
It is still ebb and flow but one sensed the tide beginning to turn - and indeed a well placed kick down the left touchline sees Toby McRae gather and with trademark strength and speed draws the remaining OA defence to release Max Coyle in by the posts for a converted try. 21-14. Dorking are now really settling and a penalty kick to the corner and a well taken lineout sees a mid- field attack end in a driving maul to cross the OA goal line with Henry Birch grounding for the final score of the half, again converted 21-21.
And breathe - Well maybe not just yet.
Second half underway with Tyler Norwood on for Finn and Luke Baldwin on for George Jackson.
OAs are not going down without a fight - not literally, it’s a clean game! - and from a line-out on the half way a good catch and drive, scrum half Thomas makes a break and off loads to the very fast and beefy OA 7 Charlie West who breaks a couple of tackles to score under the posts. 28-21.
Dorking up their game in response but only for the attack to end with another handling error. Fortunately the Dorking scrum is now getting on top of their opponents and the resulting scrum penalty puts Dorking 5m out for the attacking line-out. Another great take by Tom Golder and the ensuing drive gets the score in the corner for second row partner Jasper King. A Wonderful conversion by the on-song Henry Anscombe puts the sides level at 28-28.
Now Dorking are beginning to put it all together. A series of scrum options - why wouldn’t you given the dominance - sees the ball getting out to Toby McRae who released the effervescent Tom Hardwick in out wide. The first (and only) miss by Henry and it’s 28-33 - the first time Dorking are ahead with just under a quarter to go.
Second big injury and Will Burrows (who has been everywhere yet again) has a horrible dislocation of the shoulder and is helped off the field of play. (editor’s note - he made it back to the club for the Player’s Social – wishing you a speedy recovery). Finn Osborne back on.
OAs are not giving up and always look dangerous in attack but the Dorking defence is now equal to the task. An unfortunate altercation sees two yellow cards (the first and only in the game) to Tom Howe for tackling off the ball and the OA 8 for retaliatory shoulder charge on Tom from the side of the ruck.
Further Dorking attacking play is rewarded by a penalty 10m into the OA half. Henry takes a shot at goal to extend the lead to two scores successfully. 28-36 as Ollie Rawlinson comes on for Jonny Ellis.
It’s certainly not over as OAs keep at it with vim and vigour. A penalty kick into the Dorking 22 and a good opportunity is lost due to obstruction in the line-out. Dorking clear with the penalty and begin to move away and into the OAs half where they remain for the remaining minutes. A final flurry of an attack by OAs is neatly turned over for Gareth Stephens - who has looked lively all game - to pass to Toby who is off and away for half the length pitch to score. Henry does the honours and final score; 28-43.
A messy start and a fine finish. Some work in progress but we’re heading in the right direction for a cracking encounter against Bury St Edmunds at the Big Field next week.
Director of Rugby Armand Roux commented:
“We certainly worked hard in the week and knew that OA’s will be a stern test for us. They did not disappoint with a fast start and we showed some great resilience to get back in the game.
Very much impressed with this teams cohesion and attitude so far this year and it was a great day to bounce back with our 2’s and 1’s traveling together”
Star Man – Tom Golder
Teams:
Old Albanian – Noot, Nurse, Jones, Hihetah, Bridger, Lound, Thomas, Harris, Fleckney, Samuel, Gibbs, Watts (no relation!), Radavanovic, West, Ponsford, Fitgerald, Holland, Omale, Speller, Mancey
Dorking – Coyle, Stephens, Howe, Anscombe, McRae, Hardwick, Jackson, Birch, Ellis, Connor, Golder, King, Howorth, Burroughs, Osborne, Bristow, Rawlinson, Musa, Norwood, Baldwin
Referee: Mr Simon Waite
