Dorking Colts v Sutton & Epsom Colts match report 3/12/23
Dorking Colts headed to Sutton & Epsom for a friendly on Sunday after East Grinstead had pulled out of the scheduled home fixture at late notice. With one eye on next week’s Surrey Cup final, and with two players on county duty, this was another chance for Dorking to rotate the squad and try out some new combinations.
Despite the forecast, the rain held off and the pitch was surprisingly firm under foot. However, Dorking found themselves playing into a strong wind in the first half. This did not deter them. From the kick off, Dorking pressured Sutton forcing their opponents to knock the ball forward. From a strong scrum, captain Alex Power spotted a gap to drive further into the Sutton 22. Quick handling from the rest of the backline saw full back Charlie Nichol break through for the first score. From out wide he added the conversion in really tricky conditions. 7-0
It was then Dorking’s time to shine in defence. With Ed Tyrell continuously cutting players in half, Dorking eventually forced the turnover, kicking long down the field. The Sutton fullback ambitiously tried to run the ball out of his own 22, but wing Tom Harper had other ideas, stopping him in his tracks. The ball spilt out to Charlie Aldrigde who was able to stroll in for the score. 14-0
Despite playing into a strong wind, the Dorking kick chase (honed in recent training sessions) was paying dividends. This time Josh Spooner, on the right wing, almost won the race to a kick that landed dangerously close to the Sutton line. Instead, he was able to force the Sutton player over the line to give Dorking the attacking scrum. Great handling saw the ball switched to the other wing. With two men covering him, Tom Harper took the aerial route to finish expertly in the corner. 19-0
Another kick chase provided Dorking with their next score. This time captain Power was the beneficiary, tapping down the bouncing ball. 24-0
Keeping with the theme of the game, Sutton then responded with a kick chase of their own. The ball bounced on the half-way line between three Dorking players and then popped straight into the arms of the Sutton wing. He was quick enough to outpace the Dorking cover and score just before half-time. 24-7
Dorking made a number of changes at the break and despite having the strong wind behind them, failed to really capitalise on the conditions. The second half was a much more even affair. Dorking started to get on the wrong side of the referee, conceding too many penalties, while Sutton kept trying to run the ball out of their own half, but getting little change out of the strong Dorking defensive line. Dorking were also enjoying a battle at the scrum, with Freddie Webb, in only his second game at prop, putting some real pressure on his opponent.
Dorking eventually got the breakthrough when Tom Harper, now at fly-half, was quickest to react to a ball squirting out the side of the ruck. He out-sprinted the cover from thirty metres out to score under the posts, adding the conversion for good measure. 31-7
This was an excellent run out for Dorking against a spirited Sutton side who never gave up. Dorking’s strength in depth was on display again and a number of players put their hands up for selection for next week. Man of the match was Lewis Gover, who moved to prop for the day and gave one of his best performances in a Dorking shirt.
Dorking can now build towards Sunday’s final against Rosslyn Park and the chance for the first silverware of the season.
