Dorking three-quarters a class above (From News Shopper)

Dorking three-quarters a class above

7:52pm Sunday 15th January 2012 in Rugby By Mike Cubitt

Dorking 59-10 Gravesend.

The final score-line did not reflect the effort and possession that was shared by Gravesend during the periods of deadlock during both halves of this game.

Dorking showed why they are a force to be reckoned with once the ball is in the hands of their backs.

The game started with Gravesend getting the better of the set pieces, and after seven minutes of play it was they who were held up short of the try line.

When the ball was launched forward from a Gs boot, it was the home fly-half who safely gathered and run straight back into Gs territory. With Alrich Muller close on hand, it was a matter of timing before he sent the speedy centre through to open the account.

The ever reliable Matt Noble stepped up to add the conversion for 7-0 after ten minutes.

Gs forwards were winning their fair share of possession, but if and when the ball went lose, it was the home backs that were first to seize their opportunities.

With the ball lost close to the home twenty-two, it was the half-backs that started the move to take the play back deep into Gs territory, before full-back Ryan Jeffrey joined them at pace to run in to touch-down.

Noble was again successful from the tee for 14-0.

The early set-backs did not deter Gravesend from pressing forward, and when Dorking’s over eager forwards were caught off-side, Josh Smith secured Gs first points from the penalty, for 14-3.

Gravesend’s winning struggle up front, with the forwards recycling and taking the ball forward was being matched by some determined defence from a combination of home pack and backs and Gs could find no way through.

Two further tries for full-back Jeffrey were added with a conversion form Noble to move the points difference on to 26-3 after twenty-five minutes.

Good possession coming from the pack was keeping Gravesend in the game, and with Forsyth and McKee leading the drives forward, it was only last ditch defence that prevented Gs crossing on both wings as Goss and Bishop were bundled into touch.

This last fifteen minutes before the break belonged to the visitors, as they played the game close to the pack but unfortunately all their efforts went un-rewarded.

Coming out strongly after the interval, Gs carried on where the first forty had finished.

Securing the drop out, Gravesend quickly moved the play close to the home twenty-two. A series of driving mauls took play within five metres of the line and with ball in hand skipper Jamie Forsyth, supported by his pack, was driven over for the try.

Josh Smith took his chance from the tee to bring the score-line to 26-10, after forty-four minutes.

The next six minutes again saw a great contest in the packs to secure possession, with each taking an even share of the ball.

Unfortunately, the quickness of thought and reaction to the loose ball by the home backs, saw the “poacher” Mike Terelak touch down twice, Noble adding one conversion to take the score to 38-10 after fifty minutes.

There followed twenty-four minutes of stalemate, during which Gravesend had the better share of possession, both territory and ball, but the stout home defence held secure.

Time and again Clement took the ball from the base to set up the forward drive, but the home defence held firm, and the home backs were coming away from break –outs only to be stopped in full flight.

As the game looked to be drifting into a respectable finish at 38-10, the home backs came alive yet again. As Gravesend seemed to ease up for the last five minutes, Dorking piled on a further twenty-one points.

Home hooker James Catton ran in the first, followed by a brace more for Terelak with Noble adding the conversion to all three.

A disappointing final score line, but for those of us watching the game, it can be seen that Gravesend have a whole lot to be proud of from a losing performance where they shared much of the game.

Next week The Mayor of Gravesham Lunch at home to Havant.

Gravesend: Jamie Gwynne, Adam Bishop, Scott Curley, Josh Smith, Tom Goss, Gary Gray, Jon Clement, Jamie Forsyth, Warren McKee, Sam Brice, Dave Irvine, James Newman, Reuben Potaka, Terry Papworth, Phil Thompson. Rep: Nathan Lines, Domonic Taylor, Tom Weeks.