Old Albanians 26 Dorking 36
By Jon Watts
29/10/2022
Old Albanians RFC was formed in 1924 by the old boys of St Albans School. The school itself was founded in 948AD (you read that correctly) by the Abbot of St Alban’s Abbey. This was obvs not some johny-come-lately outfit with a SE postcode. Oh no sir - we’re definitely moving up in the world with this National League malarkey.
Luncheon, for those lucky enough to attend, was really excellent; befitting the occasion and made more memorable with the revelation that ex-Dorking President Ted Iven’s school subordinate from his days at Millfield School was non other than the current, and delightful, President of OAs, Richard Milnes. Small world. Visions of cold dormitories, open fires, burning flesh and Harry Flashman couldn’t be expelled easily.
Onto the game - and what a cracker! After last weeks disappointment at the death it was imperative that we maintained forward momentum with this difficult away fixture at OA’s. The consensus amongst the travelling faithful was that it was going to be a long uphill slog.
A well-maintained and level playing surface with a noticeable breeze straight down the pitch saw Dorking playing into the wind the first half. Early positive exchanges and Dorking had a very early opportunity down the right wing with Cam Cowell darting through two players before an off-load to Austin Emens who was bundled into touch. OAs managed a clearance only for Fin Osborne to break from the back of the line out and feed Austin to back himself passed couple of defenders and touch down in the right corner with inches to spare. Henry Anscombe’s fine conversion from the touchline took the score to 0-7
OAs responded with gusto working their way into Dorking’s 22 with pace and skill. Dorking held out well, but a breakdown penalty saw the home side tap and go and several drives and recycles later crashed over close to the right hand upright to be followed be an easy conversion. Score now 7-7. The game was finely balanced, but the expected physical dominance hadn’t materialised and, although the OAs back-line were a constant threat (and would be for the rest of the game) our defence had looked solid throughout. Reasons to be cheerful part 38.
Dorking responded with strong positive play with several attacking scrums close to OAs 5m line. Finally, one such scrum produced a very strong Dorking shunt forward and, with penalty advantage signalled, scrum Half Mikey Macdonald opted to ship wide with some clinically accurate passing from our back line resulting in an Austin touch down in the far corner. The rapier response. Another absolute snorter of a conversion from the other touchline by Henry and the score ticked over to 7-14.
More of the same thank you gentlemen. Fin Osbourne blocks a clearance kick, narrowly fails to collect and the OAs forced to take into the in-goal to ground for a 5m scrum Dorking. Osborne takes from the base of the scrum and is clear to drive over for a fine No 8 try. Anscombe to do the honours and it’s 7-21.
Old Albanians are not thought of as being in the mix for top quartile season finish for nothing. A rapid response and similar excellent running and handling saw OAs score with the scoreline standing at the interval 14-21. All to play for and the breeze in the visitors’ favour.
Second half underway and it’s clear that OAs have had their fortunes read to them in the changing room - they are on fire. Cleverly worked passage of play and on overlap out on the right sees the home side bring the scores level at 21-21. This is very tight - but the faithful sense that this game is now within Dorking's grasp
More pressure on the home side and Ryan Jeffry reads the opposition run-out of defence well. He smashes the opposite centre who spills the ball and Andrew Ramsden cleverly pounces with a deft dribble over the goal line to touchdown. Straightforward conversion thank you Henry and it’s 21-28.
With about 12 minutes to go it appears OAs have levelled the scores yet again only for the Assistant Referee to adjudge a forward pass and the try is disallowed. Phew! They are a constant, constant threat.
A penalty to Dorking about 45m out and Henry lines up for a shot at goal - there is about 6/7 minutes left so a reasonable call with the opportunity to wind the clock down a little too. Good length but unfortunately passes wide. OAs then muff the 22 drop out putting it straight into touch. Our line out won by Dorking and a further advance into the OAs 22 for a penalty given to Dorking - who now elect to kick for the corner. Much discussion about the wisdom of this - featuring numerous sage voices -with the pessimistic soon to be eating their words. Catch and drive - the line-out has been superb all game - the drive comes on and OAs commit more players and still it’s inexorably moving towards their goal line. Have Dorking really got control? Where is that ball? Don’t worry you greybeards - we know what we’re doing here! Jonny Elis from the back of the maul and with so many of the opposition committed he is easily over for try number 5. The bludgeon response.
Henry misses but its 21-36. 2 minutes to go.
OAs not finished yet and their outstanding 7 gets over for an unconverted try. It’s 36-26 and the clock says it’s all over but the referee has her own time piece and that is the one that counts. With a 10 point advantage It has, surely, to be Dorking's day - and so it came to pass with a penalty to Dorking booted firmly into touch.
A very good performance against a very capable OA side who had some very, very talented players. Dorking most certainly had upped their game - with the youngster Emens growing in stature and the evergreen Jeffries having a belter. The rest of the backs looked really comfortable including all the replacements. Dan Riches stepped up to the plate magnificently. The engine room was on fire. I have never seen a Dorking line out function better and the scrum was in fine fettle.
DoR Armand Roux had the following to say:
“I’m really pleased with our performance today. It was a tough test and one where I thought the team really stood up and played well.
Our attack was functioning really well and bolt that onto some determined defence really made for a good performance today.
Couple of real stand out moments, but the most important aspect was the game management and the maturity this squad showed today
The traveling support was also immense today”
The team:
Birch, Ellis, Catton, Howorth, Scholes, Grant, Dalton ©, Osborne, Macdonald, Ramsden, Emens, Anscombe, Jeffery, Riches, Cowell, Bristow, Sheldrake, Norwood, King & Jackson.
Next home game 05/11/2022 vs Guernsey Raiders
