This had all the hallmarks of being a classic top-of-the-table clash and both sets of supporters were in the mood for a good afternoon of rugby.
For most of the first half that is what they got, although the Combe players and supporters clearly fell out with the match official resulting in 3 yellows and a red card during the rest of the game.

The game itself in the first half lived up to its billing despite two yellows for Combe overlapping for a time and the 10—10 scoreline at the interval was testament to a closely fought contest with much to offer in the second half.

Combe had already missed a penalty, when on ten minutes, Dorking got points on the board with the scrum-half Steve Munford's penalty.
Another ten minutes with some fierce tackling from both sides and some enterprising running saw Dorking down their left flank looking dangerous until a short pass inside was snatched from the air by Ryan Fuller on his own 10-metre line and hitting the afterburners clearly outpaced any pursuers to go over under the posts and add the conversion.

It was some time, in fact shortly before half-time, before Ryan Fuller added to Combe's score with a penalty in a game that was clearly not going to produce many points as both defences were looking very sound.
Following a free kick given for delay at a line-out despite being put in once Dorking were awarded a penalty, it fell short, was well fielded and cleanly distributed, but when Combe tried to run it clear of their 22 a moment of madness with an attempted reverse pass by a forward led to the almost inevitable knock-on.

Dorking were in no mood to look the obvious gift-horse in the mouth, they had the better of the scrums throughout the the game in any event, and drove and harried until Steve Munford went over and then added the points to bring the scores level at the interval.

Both sides started the second half brightly and for a short time it looked like the sought of game we should expect but a Combe rolling-maul split leaving the ball-carrier totally exposed while the maul went merrily on their way and the Dorking attack on the edge of their 22 with no first-line of defence to breach swept the ball across and down field to quickly cross the line. Again Steve Munford getting in wide on the right but making easy of the conversion with the best move and the best kick of the game.

For the next twenty-five or more minutes the game descended to a pretty turgid display that neither side would be proud of, compounded, if not caused by, the incessant call of the referee's whistle. In the end Dorking added a penalty with Steve Munford scoring all their 20 points, leaving little doubt as to who the home side's man of the match was.
As the game came to an end Combe with a move that reflected their frustration at their treatment, more than anything, ran and ground their way to the line for Toby May to get the try that at least salvaged a bonus point from what had become a pretty sorrowful game of rugby.

Combe's Side: Toby May; Ryan Fuller, Ben Hough, Tyrone Child, Graham Purdy; Charlie Edwards, Trent Nattrass; Reece Conlon, Graeme Carson, Dale Bellinger; Tom Clarke, Nick Coles; Luke Bellinger, Hamish Barton, Geoff Marshall. James Snape, Chris Lewis, Luke Giles.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell