Weirdest moment was having a conversion in front of the posts charged down

Anyway, this league already looks very competitive and wide open - doesnt seem to be an obvious whipping boy or dominating team

yep may well be right. Incidentally, how does promotion and relegation work - presumably first place gets you promoted,or at least a playoff - are you in with a shout if 2nd? How many teams go down -1,2,3?

One up to National 1, three coming down.

While there is no formal level transfer, the leagues at this level will be selected to minimize travel.

Having checked, 2 down and one up.

There are no play-offs in the national and regional league.

Promotion from counties 1 is tbc. There are 16 leagues feeding 12. 

BSE gave Club a reminder that they won't have things all their own way in the 2nd half yesterday scoring 3 tries in 6 minutes, it wasn't the day for it but Bury's rolling maul looks a handful, I suspect they'll come into their own when the weather changes.

I was surprised that Henley went down to N Walsham yesterday, I had them down as likely competitors but NW is a notorious difficult place to go...

Barnes & OA's also look like they can score...

Big test away at OA's next game & I think we may have picked up some knocks on Sat which could test the strength in depth of the side, I'm not so optimistic on Club's immediate future as you yet.

I think BSE should have a good season, best team at WH so far this season. 

Does anyone know why Rockford have had a points deduction?

I had thought that OA's, BSE, Hawks and TJ's, might all provide stern competition for them.  I guess they still might, but each have shown some fallibility already.  They might well contest the 'best of the rest' competition between them, with perhaps, Barnes and Dorking looking to get involved as well.  The latter have recruited well  

It would be a shame if Club pulled away early, as in our new format with only one promotion position, there would be less interest in the season.

The relegation battle might be more interesting with two going down.

Westcliff with their points deduction look to be in some trouble, but there is still a long way to go. 

I watched my first game of the season on Saturday at The Rugby Park.  A decent BP win for my lot, the caveat being that that City Side was perhaps, the weakest I can recall in 20yrs of watching them. 

What's the points deduction for?

I think it's too early to be talking about Club pulling away when we are 1 point clear after 4 games.

I believe it is for not fulfilling games last season, when there was no relegation, so carried over to this season.

You may only be one point ahead, but do have a game in hand

And I heard a rumour that there may be issues relating to a points deduction for Sevenoaks too, something to do with the registration of an Australian last season? (I'm not trying to stir things up, genuinely interested!)

For the 3 promoted clubs you simply don't know what you have stepped into so a soiid start is welcome

Dorking has been at this level before, it was only seven years ago. Though things change rapidly, so I am not sure how much that helps.

I imagine this year's side are strengthened by the addition of four Raiders ?  I reckon two of them could, arguably, play level 3.   

And I heard a rumour that there may be issues relating to a points deduction for Sevenoaks too, something to do with the registration of an Australian last season? (I'm not trying to stir things up, genuinely interested!)

The latest I hear is that our pitch should be OK for our next home match v Canterbury on the 22nd Oct. Very embarrassing for us but totally out of our hands. We played our home match v Dorking on a cracking pitch at Sevenoaks School.

Dont know anything about the rumour you mention.QUOTE]

Hi DR. As Shamrose has not replied to your post I thought I would respond. As Camquin has said we were promoted to L4 seven years ago and spent 2 seasons. Its been mentioned before but we finished 4th in our 1st season and shocked quite a few. Its true we had Crow and also Roux our current DOR. Pimlow is still with us but his appearances now are more cameo's as he has returned from a long while out, and now has a family and is of course that much older.

IMO our team of 2022 is as good, but now the club has much deeper strength in depth and can cope with the demands. A strong mix of the club graduating its youth, good recruitment, and the added benefit of state of the art Gym and S&C facilities. The club has also invested heavily in our coaching staff and medical support team, so we have a lot to offer young players who want to join a progressive well managed club.

Indeed it was the lack of our strength in depth that resulted in our relegation the last time. The club has benefitted from good sponsors which has allowed for the development of facilities and our 1st team pitch.

We have also been lucky to have recruited Henry Birch, Henry Anscombe, and Joe Spurgeon from Worthing and all are contributing to our current success. I did try to establish why they left but never got an answer. I understand differences of opinion might be something to do with it.

It will be interesting to see if Crow turns out against us for Henley when we visit Dry Leas on 12th November. 

From what you say, it seems that as a club, Dorking have taken big steps forward.  I will be surprised if the current side has more quality than the team that was promoted 7 years ago.....but will let you know what I think after seeing your lot at our place.

I did hear that you have a no8 who is a bit of a terror in the loose and at the breakdown ?

I won't get into reasons why our lads left for Dorking, other than to say you left out Will Scholes, arguably the best of the bunch.  My understanding was that he said he had retired, before turning up at the Big Field.  

Best of luck for the rest of the season, I reckon another top 4 finish would be a fine result for you.

Hello again Darth

 I didnt know Will Scholes came from Worthing. It has never actually been officially announced, although there was a lot of rumour going around that he had joined us from Canterbury, and another mention of having played at Bury St Edmunds. He is a real class act IMO and has bolstered our 2nd row so that we now have at least 8 competing for selection. I dont know exactly why he came to us but am very glad he did smell the coffee.

Did you attend our home match v Worthing a couple of weeks ago? I thought you had a very young team and lacked the experience of Dorking on the day. There was not a lot in it tbh.

We will all look forward to our Christmas fixture against Worthing on 17th December and best of luck to you too. 

It's gone very well so far it's true but I doubt that myself & 4 games in, with only 1 away game played, I don't think the relative strength of Blackheath against the league as a whole can be accurately assessed yet. 

This weekend away at OA's is a big test IMO...

Jackal et al.....I think Scholes is an outstanding athlete for a lock and a great tryscorer from that position, not unlike Sumpter at Lions.  But as you say....not likely to be around too long ?  I can understand him leaving Cinderford....I clearly recall writing that their locks at the time, Hone and Lane as I recall in their promotion season, that i thought both could play level 2.  Scholes is very good, but IMO lacks the bulk to go that high.  But suspect he will find more money at level 3 at some point, which is where he belongs. 

Money being why he also is at Dorking.

FAP......no....for the first time I missed our encounter at the Big Field.  Indeed, you were watching a very young and inexperienced 'Raiders' side.  Truth be told, there almost more actual Raiders in the side Dorking fielded.

No idea what will happen with our season......i have only watched the one game so far.  We seem to be improving and despite losing at least 9 members of last year's pack.....excluding Spurge.....we still have some potent backs.....and we seem to be improving a bit.

Hope springs eternal......hoping for top half of the table.   

Reason i didnt respond was i really dont know why they chose to come to Dorking but very glad they did 

Dorking do not normally get a group of players from one club arriving together so my guess was they were all friends who decided to move together as we had this at Ealing a couple of times in the 80's and that was the rreason they gave

Were you once an Ealing supporter ?  I have half a memory of swapping notes with you before.......though whether that was as an Dorking or Ealing fan I can't recall.  I was ever an huge admirer of the brand of running rugby played by Ealing......Ben Ward pulling the strings so well at 10......and the quite incredibly prolific Phil Chesters on the wing.  I think he may have scored more than 60 tries in one season ? 

I played for Ealing as a colt and senior until i moved overseas and when i moved back to Ealing i used to go down and watch them. Yes i remember watching Ben Ward and him in down at Ealing. He had truely electric pace but was also strong, he scored 70 tries in Ealings promotion in 2010/11 from Nat 2 South to National 1 and then scored 42 the next year in Nat 1! There was a brute of a winger on the other wing Owen Brunsells who scored 32 and 20 in those two years as well

I moved out to Dorking in 2008 but still went back to Ealing quite a bit and but now get to a game once or twice a year but now enjoy the rugby down at Dorking who currenly have an exciting and relatively young team mainly made up of former colts plus some recent useful recruits. Maybe i will see you at your place in December      

I am expecting more from both Guernsey and TJ's as the season moves on, but many of the eventual top six are most likely, already in place.

Very well done to both Barnes and Dorking, who for me at least, are the overachievers of our season so far 

Rochford are a curious side......up until the huge concession by Westcliff today, they had shipped more points than anybody else, while simultaneously recording 5 TBPs.  

I have witnessed a number of seasons in which Hawks, with their considerable resources, have recruited mid-season to great effect.  They cannot be counted out of a title win yet (unfortunately )

It remains a shame (to me) that there will not be a race for a playoff place......it might have been quite a competition this year ?

V pleasing win for my lot at the Haberden. 

Looking forward to the visit of Burry St Edmunds on Saturday

Most of the other results seem to have gone as expected ?

Game of the day will very likely have been at the Rugby Park.....where I was today.  

OA's were quite the biggest pack I have seen for a while and so, I was less surprised at how they had managed to beat the Club last week. They dominated the first quarter and were totally dominant in the set piece.  They scored two tries and our situation was exaggerated by a red card and the shortly after, a yellow.

In between there were a number of injuries to OA's players.....some at least, serious.  They lost their place kicker at 13 and I think, their 8, both very serious injuries causing delays. 

WE defended tigerishly in the loose and with limited possession, managed to use our pace out wide to score three tries while down to 13 men.......and the another early in the second half....still down to 13.

Although I don't accurately recall it....I am told we were down to 12 for a while.

OA's had much the better of the last quarter as we tired.....pulled it back to 31-20 with 10mins to go, but with the clock in the red and trying to secure an LBP, threw an intercept pass.

38-20.  Very pleasing, but perhaps, not the most accurate scoreline in terms of possession and teritory.

Onwards and upwards though......we improve week on week

any other thought about the game in general ?

in fact....anybody else got anything approaching a match report of what they saw today ?

sweatysock......you at the Rugby Park today ?

Scoreline probably flattered Worthing a little but reward for huge effort they put in, particularly being at least a man down for most of the match

is it fair to assume from the final score that you had much the better of the forward battle ? 

an impressive result again today.  we might have done you a favour in turning over your main competitor ?

it remains unlikely that my lot can get involved in the title race.....but we seem to be improving week on week ?

Club coming to Henley next week then we are away to Worthing, if we can win both of them we also could be in the mix as well?!!

Funny old season, we stuffed OA’s, lose to Bury on first day and lost to North Walsham!! Early days!!

Injun.....I have much improved in my Barnes predictions this year, but need no help in co@king things up regardless   Your trip to The Slade will indeed be an interesting one.  Just hope it does not keep raining. Unless they have done something with the drainage, that place turns into a swamp quite quickly.  Highly recommend wellies if you are travelling....and watch out for Hippos and Crocs !

Jackal....I meant no disrespect...but having watched my lot against both teams....saw the full length video of the BSE game.....I thought Dorking looked the better side and had home advantage. I thought that they might win quite comfortably ? I was also curious to know if their 4 ex-Raiders were all playing ?  They have been influential.  A good win for your lads....the Dorks have been involved in some very close encounters

Hi GJ

I thought it was a real game of two halves with Bury better in the 1st and D's the 2nd. I think Dorking made a real mistake in not taking the penalty in front and then going for the try as there were about 8 minutes left and then Bury did take their chance and so D's needed a converted try and missed with the conversion. I thought Burys backline looked sharp and offered Dorking nothing out wide 

Judging from the cars I would say it was around the 500 if you count the players in all three games as well

Not easy next week with Old Albanians but this season never was going to be

Probably the two best packs met at Dry Leas today.....not having seen Club this year I fancied the Hawks pack to get the better of that encounter.....wrongo 

Elsewhere......most of the other results went much as many predicted.  My lot will be a little disappointed to lose after establishing an 3-26 lead after half an hour.  Well done the other Raiders though. 

Still much to play for, though Westcliff look in dire trouble 

I have tipped against Dorking twice this year and they have won both so clearly need to change that!

As someone mentioned it will be interesting at Henley in two weeks as I see Will Crow has started the last 3 games for them and everyone at Dorking knows how good he is as he was often the game winner for Dorking for many years before he moved up a division to Rosslyn Park

I will be down at the Big Field on Saturday and will be well wrapped up as due showers and a moderate breeze which down there is not great as so open

I was at The Woollams yesterday and witnessed a good but often see-saw game. It was clear that OA's were missing their 4 regular players injured the previous week, and this was the reason put forward by their supporters, although one questioned whether the lady referee was dating our Captain? before adjusting his comment to compliment Dorking on being the better team. Joking apart Dorking did have the upper hand and remained 7-10 points ahead for the whole game. Even when OA's tenacious response saw them reduce the deficit Dorking replied again to restore the points difference. I dont know but imagine it must have been a full strength OA,s to have beaten the Club 2 weeks before our visit, so it is quite possible we met an understrength and disjointed OA,s. That said Dorking continue to impress me and we are going from strength to strength. Well done lads you rose to the occasion.

One of the reasons we were relegated on the last occasion from L4, was our lack of strength in depth. We seem to have addressed that problem with a strong squad, strong 2nd XV, with many competing for selection in most positions. Long may it continue. 

Very important win for Blackheath at Dry Leas on Saturday.

Hawks pack looked very competitive for 70 minutes although Club did gift them a lot of ball, but neither backline, with the exception of Hawks wingers & the Lloyd & Claxton link up for the second club try showed much of a threat tbh.

Defensively Blackheath were exceptional & that and a better bench, won them the game.

Henley were good hosts, lots of nice banter on the touchline, I enjoyed going back there after a long gap & look forward to going again in future.

Our seconds played Henley's seconds on Saturday and we've also played Barnes seconds this season so clearly we are not the only club out there with some strength in depth at the moment. 

Good news FR, all power to your arm.

I understand there is a loan agreement with Quins, no issues here. But its been said the Loan players were getting started over the regulars (who came to Dorking) without training. I can see how this p**sed off the lads. I understand Henry Birch may even have been dropped as captain at very short notice for a loan player. Interesting. 

Great to see them still playing however, and not put off by this. Lucky Dorking that they chose them. 

You should never listen to hearsay 

Dorking will be taking a large contingent of support for next weeks game at Henley. I for one will be interested to see if Will Crow plays against his old club where he started as a mini and played right through until Dorking were relegated from L4. After leaving I understand he had difficulty in getting game time when at Rosslyn Park, and was 3rd choice 9 for a long period. Since moving to Henley I understand he has a settled life, a mortgage and family with his roots now firmly in Henley. I also know he has long standing friendships with many still at Dorking so the re-union on and off the pitch will be sentimental. I for one will be interested to see if he still retains his silky skills and speed around the base of the scrum.     

They were a pretty shocking band weren't they..........................................I'll get ma coat...........

The use of the word 'band' here is a little extreme.

Barnes recorded another high scoring win and continue their fine form this season.

Club visited the Swamp....no idea what conditions were like, but after the very heavy rain earlier in the week, I feared the worst.  That place just does not drain and I sometimes wonder if sides should or indeed can, refuse to play on it. 

The Oaks side secured a valuable draw on the island......one i did not personally expect, but this was just one more of what appear to be a number of battling performances this season and it would be no surprise if they were to move several places up this league.

Most other results went pretty much as expected I think.

Although Club probably remain clear favourites this year, it might end up closer than many of us thought.  Any of the top 8 teams might still harbour hopes of promotion glory and there is a long way to go.

It could yet continue to be an exciting season   

TJ's have a lot of very good backs......they might enjoy playing an expansive running game, but it is almost impossible on that surface for some of the year.

They seem to be a very wealthy club though, so let us hope they acquire a new ground pretty soon.

They are most certainly an aspirational club......nicked a few of our players....but who has n't 

I made the long trip up from Cornwall yesterday. Dorking off load in the tackle were superb, great support play. We had them in the scrum, but I thought we were going to sneak it with the last play of the game like last week, but with three penalties in a row, went for the corner, two were brought down and the third we knocked on, ref blew for the end of the game!

Good banter with their supporters and well done Dorking 👏👏

Nick 

6 sides on 7 out of ten and 2 on 6 

Dorking continue to surpass all my expectations and continue keep winning tight away games at good sides and definitely have added some steel to their defence

16 games left so all to play for

Another cracking win on the road and fully deserved IMO. Also amazed to see more Dorking supporters in the bar post match than Henley. Well played to Henley 12 who won MOTM and with Sean Fitzpatrick watching from the touchline. It was however a glorious day for playing rugby, with many worse days yet to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYcrDAxVmv8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYcrDAxVmv8

He has an amazing step which I saw at Dorking a month back and for his 2nd try on here. Another good addition to the team

A game of two halves then, with the home side looking absolutely deadly with ball in hand in the first half.

Five pretty backs tries answered by a very good one from the TJ's winger.

The third quarter started with a sixth backs try and the completion of a great hat-trick from winger Curtis Barnes.

But then came a protracted period in which the TJ's half backs got their hands on the ball and started to dictate play.   TJ's showed excellent patience and ball retention.....we did not.....on the rare occasion that we regained possession, we quickly kicked it away again.  The score moved I think, from 39-8 to 39-27 and a serious momentum shift continued.  

The clock ticked on and Raiders came back into the game a little.  A nice 7th backs try from a lovely running line with about 6mins left, put the game to bed, but TJ's kept going and had the last score as further compensation.  I expect that they will be disappointed with their solitary TBP however.

A great result for the Oaks I see, and another surprise defeat for the Hawks   The Oaks are having a pretty good season it seems ?

The Barn Elms boys recorded another fine win and it seems likely that at the very least, they will record their highest ever league finish ?  I might be wrong about that though.

Overall......a satisfying win, which neither of us predicted 

I note that Club edged past poor Westcliff.....who are looking horribly out of their depth.  

Another comprehensive win for the freescoring Dorks....and very good results for both Guernsey and OA's.

Still tight in the 'best of the rest' competition, but Club still look strong favourites.  Looking forward to watching them at our place soon. 

Must admit nerves were getting the better of me in the second half. I was circulating the pitch that quick nippers poor old dog was getting out of breath trying to keep up.

I think the W scrumy is in his 20’s by the way  

We have Blackheath next week at their place, who I am sure will be rightly confident of maintaining their top spot after their 94-0 dismantling of Westcliff, but we will try our best! 

Just want to add that I think the league is significantly weaker this year without Leicester Lions, Clifton, Dings, Hinckley,Redruth, not saying we would have performed worse but it would have been a lot harder with them all in the mix, interesting (but not surprising) that they occupy the top 5 spots in West! 

Made me wonder how the Lions would be doing in the old South league had it continued, however still early days and some very difficult away fixtures in the New Year.

just my opinion, but the standard in our league this year is quite dramatically reduced.  when  i watched my own team at the outset, i thought we might do well to avoid relegation.  We are improving, but the lack of quality leaves us much higher in the league than we might have been against last years opponents.

It is in some ways pleasing to see both Barnes and Dorking doing so well.

What troubles me, is that Nat1 is not weakened.  It has ever been difficult to remain in that league after promotion.....in this new set up....i fear that the promoted sides will be even less ready to cope with the higher standard ?

Somewhat surprised that Shanners boys have not yet stretched away........it will be interesting to see them at our place in a couple of weeks time.  I expect that they will win......but they may well be facing the best backs lineup in any of the national leagues......if we can secure any possession.....be very afraid  

The top sides may have gone West, but the relegated sides went East.

So it basically balances out.

At the top of East you have

Blackheath - relegated

Dorking - promoted

Barnes - 11th

Old Albanian - 9th

Worthing - 4th

West has

Leicester Lions - 5h

Clifton - 3rd

Dings Crusaders - 7th

Hinckley - 13th

Redruth - 2nd

Exeter University - promoted

which shows how fortunes can change.

Fear for Canterbury getting dragged into a relegation fight with NW as the season goes on. Look poor, unfit and devoid of much attacking threat so far this season, going to be a long back end of the season :(

Good to see Sevenoaks competitive and Blackheath looking strong to bounce back up

After watching them at our place this year, I did remark to my rugby mates that that was the worst City Side I had seen in 20yrs of watching.....and that I would not be overly surprised if they ended near the bottom.  Still a few stalwarts at the club, but they must be getting on a bit now ?

particularly in the two big encounters for Barnes and Dorking today.  Both had a chance to announce themselves as genuine title contenders I think.

I did n't travel but my lot, despite another 8 or 9 team changes, managed to boost their PD with a big win against hapless Westcliff.

Huge game for us next week when Club visit the Rugby Park. 

Was up there in good time but kept getting sent to an industrial site by the satnav. Turns out that was the old ground. Then tried the post code for the “new clubhouse” but that was a new housing estate. I then spotted by chance the Worthing coach across the fields in the distance. Where’s me wellies when I need them. Eventually got there but missed most of the half. 

Anyway it was pretty much one way as the score suggests but in saying that Westcliffe butchered a couple of chances in the second half. Nice new clubhouse but a lifeless setting at the moment but I guess a few strategically planted trees would sort that.