Dorking 24 Sutton & Epsom 3
Dorking 24 Sutton & Epsom 3
SUTTON & Epsom lacked spirit and fire as they failed to make territorial dominance count at Dorking's Big Field.
The visitors hemmed Dorking deep in their own half for most of the match but a general lack of support when players made breaks, and predictable backs play, gave Dorking's defence an easy time.
Sutton's flankers Ian White and Scott Wallbank played their hearts out and captain Steve Munford tackled like a demon but with only wing Andy Nicholl regularly making ground in the backs the effort was to no avail.
After withstanding 30 minutes of unrelenting Sutton pressure in the first half, Dorking broke out of defence and fly half Matt Noble ran a great inside angle to go in under the posts, converting his own try.
Almost from the kick-off, Dorking wing Gary Johnson broke three weak Sutton tackles and made 30 metres upfield before being stopped 15 metres short, he popped the ball up to flanker Ben Lucas who went in under the posts. Noble converted.
The second half was a repeat of the first with Sutton pounding at the Dorking line without success for nearly 30 minutes eventually having to settle for a penalty from captain fly half Steve Munford to get some points on the board.
Having weathered all Sutton had to throw at them Dorking then broke out, their pack rumbling the ball over from a five-metre penalty.
Full-back Ben Tyler then scored wide on the right to give the home side the try bonus point. The conversion attempt went wide.
Comment on this story