Good run-out for Horsham

Horsham lost 31-17 in the first of their friendlies against higher ranked opposition.
Missed tackles resulted in an early try for Dorking. Winger Lee Taylor suffered a bang on the head, was knocked unconscious and was forced to leave the field, then after a phase of Horsham pressure, lack of concentration resulted in a missed tackle and a try was conceded through the middle.
A break from the back of the scrum by Number 8 Richard Tredgett broke the first line of defence and scrum half Ben Rush was first in support to receive the off load and was driven over the line beneath the posts by the Horsham forwards and the try was converted by Will Bell to reduce the deficit to 12-7.
Missed tackles in the centre resulted in a try taking Dorking into a 19-7 lead at half time.
Despite injuries to Arun Thompson and Nick Bell, Horsham started the second half with renewed vigour. Pressure from the Green and Whites resulted in the award of a penalty and from the quick tap Jonny Whiting made a powerful break and then Jake Gates scored following a sweeping handling move.
Lack of concentration resulted in try out wide and then a misplaced pass in centres resulted in a try against but Horsham finished brightly when after two minutes of good pressure and handling, Sam Rice scored under the posts following good footwork.

Horsham coach Nick Stocker said after the game “These preseason tests ahead will give us a good sense of where we are at and identify areas that we need to work on before the season starts properly. The Dorking game was a good run-out and with a lot of unavailability several squad players stepped up and are now pushing for places in the 1st XV. Dan Cass in particular played well on his first team debut.”