Report- Richard Homer

Old Albanian 10 - 13 Barnes (HT 0 - 13 )

OARFC
Tries: Thomas 65

Conversions; Jones 66

Penalty; Jones 56

Barnes
Tries: Birch 7

Conversions; McDermott 8

Penalties; McDermott 22, 35.

Star Man: Ross Kane- Barnes.
Referee: Simon Waite
Attendance: 282

Pre match a minutes applause was held in honour of the passing of Peter Lipscomb, who served as OA Club Secretary for more than 40 years and was well know and popular figure around the National League.

The weather completely influenced the result with a strong wind driving rain down the pitch. All the points came at one end and ultimately it was Dorking’s impressive ability to keep possession in the second half that got them over the line. In the first half Barnes kicked well and having gone through a few phases the moved the ball to the left wing for Jacques Birch to score. Mark McDermott was successful with the conversion from the touchline. McDermott added two penalties with the wind to take Barnes in to half time 0-13 up. The increasingly harsh conditions mean that Barnes would be defending for much of the second period and this they did well. OA camped on the tryline and eventually a penalty came for Sam Jones 3-13. OA try came from fast ball at the back of a line out, scrum half Bailey Thomas broke and stepped the Barnes defence and went over to score. Jones converted 10-13. OA couldn’t get the possession they needed to make ground and a last minute OA penalty failed to yield points and Barnes held on for the win.