Dorking RFC

Dorking Colts Reds took on Rosslyn Park on Sunday knowing that a victory was essential to keeping their Harlequins Cup campaign alive. Rosslyn Park topped the group after two wins from two, while Dorking knew that a  further defeat, after losing narrowly to Old Reigatians in the previous round, would end their hopes of further silverware this season.

Dorking turned up in good shape, despite missing a few boys through injury and school commitments. They began brightly, fielding the kick off through Chris Styles and making good progress into the Rosslyn Park half. After a period of sustained pressure, Dorking were awarded a scrum 20 meters out from the Park line. A good pick and go from captain and No.8 Henry Page saw wing Will Simpson score in the right-hand corner. Charlie Nichol, who was to prove faultless from the tee, converted from out wide. 7-0 Dorking. 

Dorking were going through all their set piece moves now and from another scrum in the Park half, fly-half Callum Powell ran a lovely wrap around move to break through in the centres and score to the left of the posts. 14-0 Dorking at the break. 

Park were struggling to cope with the physicality of the Dorking forwards and their unrelenting work in defence meant that the Reds were starting to dominate at the breakdown. 

Dorking then handed Park a lifeline early in the second half. Slow lineout ball saw a Park flanker intercept the pass from scrum half Alex Power. A subsequent penalty saw Park kick to the corner and work their way over from the resulting lineout. 14-7

Dorking responded almost immediately. After another turnover from the relentless Calum Maddick, Dorking moved the ball quickly and kicked the ball deep into the Park 22. After some confusion in the Park defence, Alex Power was quickest to react to dot down over the line. 21-7 to Dorking. 

Dorking then scored the pick of their tries. Mete Tuncer was causing havoc on the left wing and after another bruising run leaving defenders in his wake, he had the presence of mind to offload from the ground to the onrushing Owen Rowlands, who went over for the bonus point try. 28-7 to Dorking.

Park weren't done yet and after a series of pick and goes on the Dorking line, they rumbled over for their second try, putting them in touch of a losing bonus point. 28-14 to Dorking

Dorking were in determined mood, however, and weren't to be denied. After more excellent work from the Dorking backline, Met Tuncer went over in the left-hand corner for a deserved try, only for the referee to overrule it for a forward pass. 

Dorking held firm though and pinned Park in their own half for the final minutes to seal a second cup win of the season against these opponents. With Old Reigatians also winning with a bonus point, Park went from top of the table to third, with Dorking qualifying for the semi-finals next week, where they will travel to Guildford. 

When the pressure was on, Dorking produced their best team performance of the season. Full credit to the boys but special mention for second row Henry Jones who was outstanding all game, leading from the front, dominating the lineout and smashing into Park players in both attack and defence. A very well-deserved win to keep the season alive.