Havant 43-35 Dorking
Havant on top in end-to-end season opener
By Kevin Beal
Played on the all weather 4g pitch, Havant ran out eventual winners in a contest which could have gone either way right up to the last minute, scoring 6 tries to the visitor’s 5. It wasn’t the prettiest of games with positives and negatives for both sets of players and coaches to mull over, but it was entertaining for both sets of supporters.
Havant looked the sharper of the two sides in the first 20 minutes with winger Sam Trodd over out wide for the first of his hat trick with barely six minutes on the clock, helped it has to be said by a somewhat messy Havant line out on the Dorking 22 which left the normally tight Dorking defence bamboozled as to where the ball actually went. Four minutes later, he was over again receiving the scoring pass from Havant’s veteran and long serving centre Joel Knight, who on what looked like a training ground move burst through for a solo run following a successful set piece scrum. With Knight on target with both conversions, they were 14 -0 up.
As Dorking worked their way back into the game with the back row trio of Tom Bloomer, Daragh Chambers and Kas Lee taking the lead things started to look a little more even. This, coupled with a slight advantage in the set piece scrum and some wayward throwing in at the line out by the home side led to a period of sustained Dorking pressure on the Havant line, sadly to no avail as the final moves didn’t quite come off. Finally, on the the half hour, following a scrum penalty and a good off the top lineout move, Theo Williamson was in under the posts for Dorking’s first try, converted by Jack Thorn. 14-7, and they were back in the game. But not for long as a bullocking run through the centre by no8 Angus Southon put Trodd over for his hat trick, and with Knight’s conversion good, Havant back to a 14 point lead.
Dorking looked to have clawed one back as Williamson was again put in the clear with Chambers, Lee and Sam Blade combining in attack but assisted by the vocal home support, the final pass was adjudged forward by Sir. Dorking’s attack therefore had to wait a few minutes more to trouble the scorer when the omnipresent Lee and Blade combined again to put Will Sanders away to make it 21-14 at the break.
Dorking continued to press hard in the face of stout Havant defence, eventually getting an attacking 5m line out and a chance to level the score. But something went wrong in the execution; Havant cleared their lines and to rub salt in the wound and somewhat against the run of play, score as Will Perry danced down the touchline unopposed. So, with Knight on target again instead of the scores being level, Havant restored their 14 point lead. In this tit for tat match Dorking’s Blade was next on the score card with a converted try, 28-21 and minutes later Havant’s Trodd looked to all to be in for his fourth, only to be hauled down inches short of the line by Dorking’s Sanders with what is already in contention for ‘Try Saving Tackle of the Season’.
As the half wore on both sets of players visibly tired and the penalty count for both sides increased markedly, making the game rather stop-start. Additionally, both sides squandered scoring opportunities with a combination of fumbles, offside calls, crossings and tired kicks.
Despite having a man advantage following a YC for Havant’s 9, Dorking were unable to make it count where it mattered and as is so often the case when down a man, the home side’s defence stepped up to the challenge and met every attack head on. Keeping the ball tight they won a penalty inside the Dorking half and from the subsequent line out flanker Sam Vance emerged from the bottom of the rolling maul to claim the score. 33-21. The replacement kicker (also a Knight) missed the conversion, and with Sanders leaping highest and successfully regaining the ball at the re-start Dorking were again pressing the Havant line. An aggressive ruck gave good field position and replacement scrum half Tom Newman scooped up the ball and sniped over the line. With Thorn again successful with the boot Dorking were back in contention, 33-28.
The final minutes of the game were frantic as Dorking chased the scoreboard and Havant took advantage of the increasing penalty count against the Red & Whites. Firstly Reuben Knight bisected the posts from the 22 to give an 8 point lead and then from the re-start a scrum penalty and 5m line out saw Wes Dugan on the end of a catch & drive move over the line to give an unassailable 41-28 lead.
Surely the final play with the clock showing 84 minutes gone? But no, time enough for a re-start, and Dorking were back immediately with a further Blade try under the posts, converted. 41-35. Game over this time surely….but no, still time for another re-start. And as Dorking captured the ball and took it into contact, Sir saw something he didn’t like and awarded them a penalty. But with an 8 point gap the game was gone, and Havant’s 9 had the last word catching and hoofing the ball into the safety of the touch, securing the win. 43-35.
Director of Rugby Armand Roux commented:
It was a frustrating afternoon overall with some uncharacteristic errors but credit to Havant for the pressure the placed on us and taking their opportunities well.
I was however pleased to pushing this close with 5 players in the squad making their National 2 debut.
We simply struggled to get good go forward and this in turn meant we always had a rely on couple of indivdual moments.
Set-piece wise, pretty happy and we were really unlucky on some of the outcomes.
Canterbury next so quick review and get back on the horse.
Teams:
Havant
Lindsay, Boa, Vince B, Hayton, Parkins, Vince S, Dugan, Southon, Holt, Knight R ©, Trodd, Knight J, Gwyther, Perry, Evans. Replacements: Elyas, Jenkinson, Ferson, Charlson, Chambers.
Dorking
Stephenson, Head, Barry, Sammut, Goodfellow, Chambers, Bloomer © Lee, Jackson, Thorn, Willaimson, Iles, Blade, Sanders, Hotston. Replacements: Tyson, Litchfield, Wilkie, Elbrow, Newman.
Referee: Mr Will Foster
