Dorking RFC

Dorking Colts v Rosslyn Park Colts match report 10/12/23

At the start of the season, Dorking Colts set themselves the ambitious target of winning all three competitions they have entered. With a place secured in the last 16 of the National Cup and with the Harlequins Cup to come in the new year, Sunday was the first chance for silverware with the Surrey Cup final.

Dorking faced a very strong Rosslyn Park side, whose results had matched those of Dorking’s in the pool stages – almost point for point – and who had enjoyed a good run of their own in the National Cup. So Sunday’s game was expected to be a real test for the Dorking 22.

The final was played at the London Irish training ground and both sides had sensibly opted for the 4G pitch hoping for a fast-paced game. The supporters were not to be disappointed.

Dorking began playing into a very strong wind. This did not deter them and from the kick off they tore into Rosslyn Park. Strong work from the forwards held up the Park catcher and Dorking were awarded a scrum on the turnover. Under some pressure from the Park 8, Dorking secured the ball and centre Will Darbishire powered through the back line, released Will Simpson coming off his wing who in turn fed fullback Charlie Nicol to score out wide. Nicol then added the extras with a beautiful strike to give Dorking a very early 7-0 lead.

Dorking immediately let Park back into the game. A tricky restart was allowed to bounce into touch in the Dorking 22. With the wind gusting, the subsequent lineout throw was not straight so Park were awarded a scrum. After a series of drives, the Dorking defence eventually ran out of cover and Park scored out wide. 7-5

Another Dorking mistake, this time a high tackle, gave Park a penalty in front of the posts. The kick was slotted to put them into the lead. 7-8

In a see-saw first half, Dorking responded quickly. From another attacking scrum, Darbishire made another break and a clever offload put Nicol over for his second score. 14-8

Momentum then swung back to Park and from a strong catch and drive at the lineout, one of their forwards powered over for a score just to the right of the posts. A missed conversion kept Dorking in front, 14-13.

Before anyone could catch their breath, Dorking scored again. Park failed to clear their lines from a kick off and Dorking managed to charge down an attempted kick. Quick thinking by centre Christian Styles saw him skilfully dink a kick over the line for Darbishire to win the race to touch the ball down. Nicol, immaculate with his kicking from hand and from the tee, slotted the conversion for a 21-13 at half time.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Dorking started where they left off. Some great defence from Dorking in their own 22, with No.8 Sam Whittaker leading the way, enabled Dorking to turn the ball over. Fullback Nicol, using the wind to his advantage, sent a clearing kick deep into the Park half. An excellent chase from captain Alex Power forced another turnover. Dorking moved the ball left and, using a training ground move honed in the week, Matt Young threw a lovely inside pass for Will Darbishire to score his second.

28-13 and that should have been the game, but Park had other ideas.

With an influx of strong ball-carrying forwards, they started to punch holes in the Dorking defensive line. The Park forwards were also doing some damage in the set-piece. From a scrum penalty close to the Dorking line, Park opted for the scrum themselves and their strong running centre breached the Dorking defence for a simple score. 28-20

Park now had the momentum back and almost scored again, but great defence from Dorking, with Tom James and Daniel Gale to the fore, saw the ball held up over the Dorking line. Park sensed blood and from another line break, the powerful Park hooker managed to bounce the last defender to narrow the score to 28-25.

The game shifted yet again, with Dorking responding in style. Perhaps playing their best rugby of the season, the backs and forwards combined perfectly, with strong carries by the forwards and slick handling from the backs. With Park on the back foot, Dorking eventually moved the ball wide to put winger Toby de la Hoyde into space. With a defender closing in, he chipped the ball forward, regathered and despite being tackled somehow managed to stretch out one hand and dot the ball down in the right-hand corner. 33-25

Time was running out for Park and Dorking were determined not to concede again. With fresh legs and some determined tackling, Dorking saw out the remaining 5 minutes without incident to maintain their 8-point lead. With the clock in the red, Dorking turned over Park ball and man of the match Nicol fittingly had the last word, kicking the ball into touch to seal the win and spark the celebrations.

After last year’s final, where Dorking prevailed in an even tighter, single-score encounter, this was an excellent advertisement for Surrey youth rugby. Both sides displayed exceptional skill levels and tactical nous and played the game in the right spirit. Credit must go to the referee – who allowed the game to flow – and to the Park squad who pushed Dorking all the way for their toughest test of the season – so far.  Dorking have found a way to win tight games this season, displaying tremendous resolve and character and no little skill. One trophy down, but the challenges will only get tougher from here.