Dorking - Old Colfeians
Apr
Dorking so very nearly achieved their oft stated goal of 4th place in London 2 South with a simply superb performance at home versus Old Colfeians. With one of the biggest crowds of the year in attendance as a result of an intra-club game between the A’s and Ex A’s at one o’clock and a Vice-Presidents lunch, the Dorking team were keen to perform. Whilst, once again, the fixture would have no bearing on promotion or relegation, Dorking certainly played with a passion and pride in their performance that speaks highly of the leadership of Director of Rugby Richie Andrews and skipper Armand Roux.
In spite of the result at Sidcup, where Tunbridge Wells overturned the form book to secure fourth place for themselves, Dorking can be satisfied with a season where they really were not sure how they would fare. Furthermore, it was not that many weeks ago that Dorking were perilously placed, fourth from bottom and in danger of slipping back into the relegation spots. To have come through with victories from their last five fixtures was a fantastic effort. Indeed, some of the chat subsequently has revolved round where Dorking could have ended up had they not been so decimated by injury mid season. A brief glance at the statistics for the side indicate that nearly half of Dorking points this season were scored by a handful of players whose involvement was severely curtailed throughout the season.
Important too this season has been the return from South Africa of skipper Armand Roux. Whilst his work this year has been less obvious than the potent breaks he would make in London Four, he has provided a focal point for the team with his innate leadership and exceptional work rate in the tight exchanges. Similarly, another player who returned to the fold this season, Simon Love, has shown his love off the big stage. As when he played in the Powergen Vase winning side, this season he has reserved his best performances for those moments which matter most.
Love’s love of the limelight was obvious for all to see on Saturday when, in what was pretty ghastly weather for expansive rugby, he lit the blue touch paper with a scintillescent break from his own 22. An outrageous side-step was all it took to beat his opposite man before a startling burst of speed took him clear. He made it to the OC’s 22 before drawing the despairing defence to him and slipping the ball to a supporting Richard Kemp who galloped over under the posts for the opening score. The excitement even drew some of the more comfortable VP’s from their ruminations in the clubhouse and the Brockham side were not to disappoint.
The next try was almost better in its conception. Another break from Love, who was followed almost telepathically by Roux and Jason Geldenhuys, took Dorking deep into OC’s territory. Dorking then drew the visiting defence one way then the other before a timely incursion from winger Mike Terelak on the wrong side gave the three quarters the overlap they had worked for and slippery and unselfish hands from Ed Gardner gave Ryan Lucas the simplest of run ins for the second try. With Ben Allard successful with the first conversion, the second proved beyond him and combined with a penalty from OC’s, Dorking had moved out to a 12-3 lead in the first 15 minutes.
The game settled into a rhythm at this point. Colfeians were obviously content to use their sole yet highly effective weapon, the driving maul, whilst Dorking, who had trained to counter this tactic, wanted to put more width and pace on the ball. This was a courageous approach given the squally showers and greasy pitch but it worked well. Possession was pretty equal during the first period but with the Red and White’s cutting off OC’s sole means of accumulating points, more often that not, the OC’s attacks would lap away at the Dorking defence until the ball was spilled or pilfered. However, all was not lost for the visitors when a sniping break up the blind side found its way to their underemployed wing who darted in at the corner to give the visitors a sniff of an unlikely victory.
12-8 to Dorking did not seem a fair reflection of the game to that point but this was rectified shortly before the break when Dorking worked their way downfield, rather prosaically this time. After multiple phases of attacks from forwards and backs alike, Ben Allard wriggled over from close range to give the home side, and the expectant crowd, a chance to relax during the break.
During the second half, Dorking started to dominate proceedings in both set play and in the loose and it seemed a matter of time before the coup de grace was delivered. However, perhaps because of the by now dismal weather, Dorking could not strike the killer blow. Not until the 70th minute did the second half get its first score. However, the score was a gem and was worth the wait. Another sharp break from Love, followed up by deft work from Ed Gardner, took play deep into the Colfeians’ 22. However, as the ball was secured, a quick glance at the three quarters arrayed to the right would not have struck fear in many sides. At first receiver, the lightning quick ball found the multifarious talents of George Kruis, centre turned prop Julian Bambridge was next in line and the solid talents of Dom Elsbury took the ball at 13 who slipped the ball with expert timing and execution to one of the heftier wings you are likely to see in Simon Burgess. Thus the death knell sounded for Colfeians amid the rapturous applause of the highly entertained crowd.
However, the entertainment was not finished just yet as Love, ever with an eye to impress on the bigger stage, wrapped up the tie with a sumptuous individual score which he deserved utterly. With the home defence still working hard and pressing up quickly, Love sensed just the slightest sniff of a chance and doinked the ball over the onrushing defence and scampered through to dot the ball down. Kemp kicked his second conversion to take Dorking out to a 31-8 lead and the final whistle followed shortly thereafter.
Ultimately, Dorking can feel very satisfied with their first season back in London Two. Furthermore, that they came fifth in the league whilst only truly playing to their potential on a handful of occasions bodes well for next term. Andrews and his management team have already started planning for the season to come and with virtually all of the squad due to return plus a few students coming back under the club’s wing, the future looks rosy.
Dorking Squad: Elsbury, Catton, Kelly, Kruis, Burgess, Roux (Capt) Lucas B, Geldenhuys, Smith, Allard, Lucas R, Kemp, Love, Terelak, Gardner. Subs: McDougall, Bambridge, Williams.
