Dorking 26-19 Wimbledon
Battling Dons Fall Just Short as Mosley takes a Bow
By Kevin Beal
A combatant Wimbledon side battling to remain in the National Leagues pushed Dorking hard but despite having the better of the second half were unable to get the crucial points needed and with rivals Immingham scraping a point in the Northern relegation decider, the Dons were to be the final side to fall.
Dorking opened the scoring after two minutes, opting to take a scrum under the posts rather than kick for touch or goal as Wimbledon transgressed in the ruck. A quick ball off the base of the scrum and a quick pass out from Jacko created space for Joe Andresen to come into the back line and score out wide on the left, and with Henry Anscombe’s conversion they were 7 points up. In the following exchanges, possession and territory seemed even but the Don’s forwards looked to ‘want’ the game more; clearly the plan was to disrupt the breakdown and slow things down, and they repelled the home side’s attacks until the retiring Fraser Mosley, not for the first time stepped his opponent to put Toby McRae in clear space for a sprint to the line and Dorking’s second, this time unconverted try after twenty minutes. Belying their position in the league, Wimbledon pressed the Dorking defence hard and only a combination of last ditch tackles and speedy cover defence denied their dangerous looking wingers.
Dorking’s third, and Andresen’s second try, again out wide and again converted came five minutes later from a set piece move. From an attacking lineout on the Don’s 22 the ball was spun down the line and Andresen came in to the attack to create the extra man. This gave the Red & Whites a comfortable looking 19 point lead, and as the game stagnated somewhat in a plethora of penalties, both sides guilty as charged, Wimbledon looked to be taking this deficit into the half time break. Full back Ollie Thomas had other ideas though and emulating his opposite number slipped through the Dorking defence following a perfectly executed line out catch and drive to touch down and with Ed Morgan adding the extras it was 19-7 at the break.
Don’s Captain Paul Hendry continued the fight back in the second half with an unconverted try on the 45 minute mark, bringing his side to within one score. With their tails up the Don’s forwards continued to disrupt the Dorking playbook and won a succession of penalties as the home side were forced onto the defensive. With Finn Osborne leading the way from the base of the scrum, supported by the back row scavenging of Tom Bloomer, Joel Grant and Adam Musa the line was held, and Dorking’s Mosley looked to have sealed the game for the home team on the 60 minute mark with the bonus point try under the posts. Sensing that the two points needed for survival in the league were slipping beyond their reach, Don’s regathered and pressured the Dorking line, which despite several penalties and a yellow card held firm until eventually the pressure told and Morgan crossed the line for their third try. Despite further pressure, his conversion turned out to be the last score in the match, and with the final 20 minutes of end to end play too often ending with a whistle, Anscombe was able to finish the game on the back of a Dorking scrum penalty.
And that was the season done.
With Barnes taking the honours at home to Esher, and with it the hastily arranged Surrey Cup, Dorking finished in third place in what has been a very competitive league season.
In closing let’s wish retiring stalwarts Fred Dalton, Fraser Mosley, and Tom Chave thanks and best wishes, and also thank the unsung army of Dorking volunteers (you know who you are) and supporters who turn out in all weathers and make the club what it is.
DoR Armand Roux Commented:
“It is of course a disappointing finish for Wimbledon this year and no one wishes to see the opposition getting relegated, but they put up a very good fight and should be proud of their achievements. I wish them all the best for next year and no doubt see them soon.
We had a goal of winning the game and achieving 5 points. That was exactly what we did and so proud of the fight in a game where we could easily of taken a back seat.
Great resilience on show alongside some great support”
Teams:
Dorking:
Andresen, Hotston, Mosley, Anscombe, McRae, Holland, Jackson, Bristow, Ellis (c), Stephenson, Chambers, King, Grant, Bloomer, Osborne
Replacements - Connor, Birch, Musa, Gwyther, Smith,
Wimbledon:
Thomas, Kitto, Hendry (c), Mitchell, Pinkham, Morgan, Mason, Mudgway, Hope, Gratton, Machado (vc), Ashcroft, Stace, Hunt, Lovatt
Replacements - Boot, Touilzak, Trimmer, Ridler, Lamming
Star Man – Fraser Mosley (Dorking)
Scoring:
Dorking
Tries: Andresen (2, 24), McRae(19), Mosley (60)
Conversions: Anscombe (3, 25, 61)
Wimbledon
Tries: Thomas (40), Hendry (45) Morgan (67)
Conversions: Morgan (2)
Referee Mr Mike Lamb
Attendance: 585
