THEIR game in Guernsey was a cracker and in many ways so too was the return match on the 3G surface of Rosslyn Park. The home side won a thrilling National Three London and South East game on the last play of the match, a converted try in stoppage time giving them a victory against a Guernsey side shorn of virtually its entire first-choice backline.

It was a cruel end for the Raiders who without first-choice Adam Nixon and the veteran Kiwi Malcolm Barnes, an injury early in the game saw a back line reshuffle and 17 year old Ben Holland make his debut for the Raiders who produced a superb display. Raiders were 10-0 down in no time as the home team won a lineout from the kick-off and then drove over for a converted score.

Shortly after, a penalty for offside saw Dorking move 10-0 ahead but Guernsey's big pack were keeping them on the game and after a penalty put them on the scoreboard, they rumbled over for a converted try from Matt Thomas which made it 10-10. A penalty puts Dorking 13-10 ahead and the Radiers come back with a penalty of their own to make it 13-13. Dorking slip one more penalty in to make it 16-13 at the break and the home side started the stronger of the two teams in the second half, running the ball well.

When Raiders finally forced their way out of their own half they knocked on and the home side spun it wide to score a fine try converted: 23-13. Raiders then produced 25 minutes of their best rugby of the day.

A drop kick attempt from Whitehead went wide but James Regnard, on for the injured Taylor Quate, stormed his way up the park carrying three Dorking players.

After about 15 phases of play Dale Martin, now on the wing, was tackled just short of the try line and popped the ball to Regnard who crashed over the line as well as pulling his hamstring at the same time. Sam Whitehead converted from wide and Regnard was replaced by Brad Webb for his second run out of the day.

It was now a three-point game and Raiders continued to apply the screw to Dorking and again after about 20 phases of controlled play the visitors went blindside for Holland to pop the ball to Whitehead who slipped it to Dale Martin to glide into the corner for another fine try and the lead even though Whitehead was unable to convert this time.

Dorking fought back and forced an easy pen which they missed and on the last play of the match they drove over the line for a converted try and a win 30-25. All along Steve Melbourne, who took charge for the day in place of the absent Jordan Reynolds who had arranged to spend some time with Championship side Doncaster Knight, marched up and down the touch line like a proud father as his Academy players showed no sign of being overawed.

Both teams played some fine attacking rugby on the excellent surface. So although we lost the game offered a glimpse possibly of the future with more Academy products nailing places in the club 1st XV.