Another tough away day

Match report by Peter Osborne

The visitors had little possession in the early stages and the strong Dorking pack won scrum penalties and put the Chiltern lineout under pressure throughout. Matt Noble, Dorking fly half and captain, controlled the game and kicked superbly as the home side notched up three unanswered tries by half time, the most notable a sprint from half way by the perfectly named Dorking wing, Cameron Osborne.

So, 25-0 down at half time, and many teams would have folded. But, the Chiltern boys were still up for a fight and the second half was a different story. Five minutes after the break, scrum half Mike McDonald took a tap penalty, made good yards. The ball was taken on by George Bartlett and Cameron McDonald finished off a sparkling move with a well-deserved try, converted by Andy Fluker. Chiltern were back in the hunt until an interception against the run of play gave Dorking their bonus point try.

Back came Chiltern again, this time a high speed break by Lloyd Anderson was finished off by Mike McDonald. Dorking responded with another score from a scrum penalty and a drop goal, before Chiltern hooker Ian Stock touched down for the visitor's third try. There was still just time to push for the fourth bonus point try and Chiltern came agonisingly close but as darkness fell the game was over.

A massive effort by a talented and committed Chiltern team who can take a lot out of the game; at no time did their heads go down and their spirits flag.