27th Dec - U12’s Maintain Dorking RFC’s 100% Record at HQ

In the freezing cold at Twickenham before a capacity crowd of assorted parents and grandparents (this was according to the groundsmen by invitation only - or so it seemed) the Dorking U12's scratch Xmas side beat the Hinkley U12's scratch Xmas side by 1 dropped goal in the curtain raiser to the Quins v Leicester game.

After a thrilling and pulsating 10 minutes on the hallowed turf - so hallowed that only 15 players and one coach per side were allowed to grace it - the score was nil nil. The Dorking forwards had dominated the game giving the backs plenty of ball which they made good use of, with storming runs through the centre and down both wings. The entire game was played in the oppo's half, but their defence was tight, and on the one time we did break through and cross the line, the try was disallowed for allegedly being a whisker short of it. 

At full time, the ref decided things would be settled by drop kick sudden death. Unanimously nominated as the best kicker by the rest of the team, Jamie Moore, aka Mr Ice stepped up and slotted the first one over. So did the oppo. Back a further five yards, and cool as a cucumber the posts were bisected again. The oppo's nerve failed and with an ominous slap the leather hit the upright and the glory was ours. Poacher McMillan duly snaffled the match ball, Kinger (for it was he) broke sobbing into 'With a Cock on my Breast', commemorative photo's were taken and the bar repaired to. A most satisfying day out. 

The Big Game.

As Harlequins prepared for the ‘big game’ against Leicester Tigers, with the premierships record breaking attendance at Twickenham the Dorking under twelve’s took to pitch at  the home of rugby union to play Hinckly in a one off spectacular. A crowd of parents, girlfriends and significant others gathered in the cold stands expectant and vocal to cheer on

With the Dorking first XV winning in the Powergen Vase on the same hallowed turf in 2006 the pressure was the broad shoulders of the  team, a mixture of the squads A & B lads  to keep the clubs unbeaten run going and secure their place amongst the many greats who have played at Twickenham.

With a lump in the throat and a knot in the stomach coach Hammond prepared the team to take the pitch and deliver a traditional herculean Dorking pre match brief , caught up by the emotion and surrounded by an expectant team he  uttered the words ‘ talk amongst yourself lads’. Jonno take note.

 Roused and ready the boys took to the pitch. Dorking to kick off and almost immediately into the first scrum against a much larger pack. The first drive was won by the opposition which as it played out was to be one of the few times Dorking were on the defensive. Good tackles followed by confident open passing moves saw Dorking on the attack for most of the match and credit must be given to Hinckly who despite not venturing into the Dorking half of the pitch did not shirk in defense. 

The forwards were dominant; Adam Donnison and Jacob Giles aggressive in the tackle and backed by the pack rucked well to give the backs plenty of space to play in. Time after time they threatened to break through; Charlie Bird and Rory Mitchell opened the play up well and running strong lines from deep Callum Steel, William Boughton and the Beard twins Jack and Tom kept the ball alive, switching play from one side of the park to the other. Jasper King and Jamie Moore shone and gave the opponents little time to counter our play leaving the team plenty of room to create. William Boughton a veteran of the team was linking play and set up a fantastic move onto the right, cross park to Bird and Steel and so very nearly broke a defiant Hinckly back line.

Urged on by the crowd of support, lead by the usually dulcet tones of Kinger a legend of Dorking himself,  the team drove forward  and on the rare occasion the Hinckly pack managed to gain position Mark Kranendonk and Finlay McMillan were at them with big tackles allowing turn over ball.  With two minutes remaining some text book forward play from, James Hedge and Thomas Beal saw Dorking steal a ball from the ruck four meters from the try line; Captain Moore gained the ball and was driven over , going to ground in a melee of players. Un-sited the referee had no option but to call no try. Had he gone to the un-biased video ref, Moore’s mother filming from the stands, he would have seen the ball cross the line but alas the score did not stand.  Not down hearted our boys continued to threaten and time after time kept running a now tiring defense that refused to yield. With Joss Hammond on form the team won line out and scrums against the head but at full time and in spite of constant pressure from our boys the game finished a draw and went to sudden death drop goals.  Much like the Quins against Starte de France a few week previous Dorking scored at the death, dropping over two drop goals to one from the boot of Jamie ‘ Ice Cool ‘ Moore and with the final score of six to three in favor of Dorking a jubilant team left the park with a record intact and a great match won. Sounds of ‘With a cock on my breast keep me Dorking’ ran around the famous stands and all converged to the Line Out bar in high spirits

After the main game, where Quins and Leicester drew twenty six each traditional post match banter was to be had over a curry, beers and celebratory soft drinks for the team so that all could re live the events of the day, speeches from coach and captain will live long in the memory as will the events on the pitch and the whole Dorking squad can go into the New Year and upcoming tournaments with confidence intact.

Thanks must go out to Clipboard, Hammond and Northern for orchestrating the day and to the boys who played so well on such a big stage

Team: Thomas Beal, Joss Hammond, Jacob Giles, Adam Donnison, Jasper King, James Hedge, Jack Beard, Tom Beard, Jamie Moore, 

Marc Kranendonk, Findlay McMillan, Rory Mitchell, Will Boughton, Callum Steel, Charlie Bird. 

We would like to thank the fo

Guy Salmon  Thames Ditton

Guy Salmon  Gatwick

                           Dorking Rugby Football Club, The Pavilion, The Big Field, Brockham, Surrey RH3 7LZ     ( 01737 844282