Farnham U18 lose in the Surrey Cup vs Dorking

Before the game, we asked our lads for discipline and work rate. Having seen the scores this Dorking side had put on other teams we could not afford a slow start for this cup match. We received the kick off and began with purpose playing up a significant slope. We kept the tempo up, played through our phases, winning breakdown ball and attacking deep inside their 22. Dorking managed to turn the ball over and showed us the quality in their back line running the ball back down our end of the pitch.

Farnham pack had the edge in the 1st half. Our Lineout was working well and we were pushing their scrum up the hill, giving our backs good ball to work with. Where Dorking were successful was in flooding the midfield. Dorking forwards working hard off the ball to put pressure on Rufus at 10 and Patrick at 12. We were too narrow in our attack, struggling to move the ball through the contested centre - opting to kick away possession.

Dorking managed to score 3 times & ended the half 21-3.

We went in at half time 21-3 down, confident we could turn this around with fresh legs off the bench and the slope in our favour.

Sadly this was not the case. They continued to flood the centre giving them options & making it difficult for us to defend. They were 1st to score and countered our Blitz defence with chip kicks over the top allowing their wingers to fly hack and chase down the ball. Not pretty but effective scoring 4 of their 5 second half try’s in this way. Only for their kicker to slot all bar 1 of his conversions. Impressive display.

Despite all this, our lads kept their discipline and didn’t let their heads drop. A tough day, clear lessons for us to work on at training that we can bring to our league games.