Hawks Down the Cocks at The Big Field
Dorking RFC 14 v 19 Henley Hawks
By Jim Evans
Henley were the first team that Dorking played in National Two back in 2014, the matches topping and tailing the season with Henley winning at The Big Field and Dorking taking the spoils at Dry Leas. Earlier in the season Dorking won away at Dry Leas in a tight match, and with Henley looking to even the score a similarly tight game was anticipated.
Dorking started with a bang and went into a 14-0 lead through tries from Johnny Ellis (5 mins) and Dan Riches (14 mins) both converted by Henry Anscombe. The Dorking scrum was dominating and setting a good platform for further attacks. Henley however were very competitive at the breakdown and clawed their way back in to the match. After some good phases, a gap opened up in the centres and Louis Flynn (28 min) strolled in for Henley’s first try converted by Matt Titchener. 14-9.
With a steady stream of possession, Henley continued to run the ball around, and space was created for Fenely Ewen (31 min) to go over for another Matt Titchener converted try. 14-14 at half time.
Henley started the second half strongly and after 5mins centre Hakiam Adam (45 min) scored an unconverted try out wide to take the lead 14-19. Dorking battled hard, with the scrum continuing to dominate, earning several penalties and yellow cards for the Henley props. But despite this advantage, the mixed form of the past few weeks continued and the ability to score eluded Dorking.
The final play of the match, with Dorking held up over the line by a battling Henley defence, summed up the game as the away team took the spoils.
DoR Armand Roux commented:
“Disappointing result today as we managed to create a few opportunities, but we simply could not convert them. It just did not bounce for us today, and it was not for a lack of effort or determination.
Part of our game was exceptional today, and scrummaging was simply up there. Henley being penalised 10 times in this area, but saw little reward for this.
It was a great opportunity to give someone like Matt Gwyter opportunity to play at this level as well, where he has been playing well since he was a Dorking youth player. Well done Matty.
Credit to Henley for taking their opportunities and we will reflect and move on, as another 3 to go before we have a break.
Team:
Ramsden, Riches, Mosley, McRae, Anscombe, Jackson, Birch, Ellis, Bristow, Scholes, King, Chambers, Dalton ©, Mitchell, Watson, Sheldrake, Powell, Gwyther, Musa
Referee: Jack Sutton
Attendance 438
Star player: Matt Titchener
