Horsham go down after failing to convert opportunities

After this defeat Horsham cling on to third position in the table with a game in hand on the league leaders, but the Green and Whites need to put a series of wins together if the season is not to become one of disappointment.

In an error strewn start, but in perfect conditions for rugby, Horsham knocked on after receiving the kick-off, and Dartfordians moved the ball wide and looked likely to score but were called back after a forward pass.

Although Horsham’s back line was disrupted after Matt Brown departed due to injury after only seven minutes, and despite playing into the wind, the Green and Whites were playing with a greater dynamism and urgency than seen in recent weeks and took the game to Dartfordians.

The pressure soon yielded results when Will Johnson counter attacked after fielding a clearance kick, and after a wide pass from Jonny Ordidge, Matt Goodsir fixed the defence to give Jamie Gibbs the space to race in for a try which was converted by Will Bell.

With Horsham aggressive in defence, Dartfordians were unable to create any openings, and when resorting to a kick over the top, Johnson gratefully received the loose ball to sprint up the left wing and outpace the cover defence, but when a try looked certain his pass was dropped.

Horsham continued to dominate the scrummage, possession and field position and were playing at a pace not seen for a few games but due to poor execution with their handling, the rest of the half was scoreless and the resilient defence of Dartfordians meant that they were still in the game at the break at only 7-0 down.

This was confirmed by Horsham coach Nick Stocker who said, “They kept us to a low score at half time in a game of fine margins. We were in control in the first half but failed to convert the opportunities we created and this came back to haunt us”.

At half time Dartfordians had clearly decided to use their big forwards to run more directly at the heart of the Horsham defence and soon pegged Horsham back with a penalty and then scored a try of their own which they converted to level the scores at 10-10.

Goodsir kicked through to turn the Dartfordians back-line but the opportunity was not capitalised upon, and then the most significant moment of the match occurred when Johnson tackled the opposing winger into touch, who clearly felt aggrieved by the force of the tackle, and responded with a flurry of punches to Johnson who was not yet on his feet and back turned to leave him dazed on the ground. Horsham’s captain and talisman Paul Talbot then retaliated and both players were controversially sent off.

Both sides exchanged penalties and Horsham continued to squander opportunities when Ordidge caught the restart, beat a couple of defenders to put Jonny Goward into space who ran down the touchline but the supporting player overran the pass when a try looked certain.

In a game of tight margins Horsham failed to keep the scoreboard ticking over, and when offered a penalty opportunity to kick at goal and regain the lead, Bell was told to kick for touch and the opportunity was lost.

In the final minutes of the game the Horsham three-quarters wasted another opportunity when the ball went to ground following a poorly executed miss move, and Dartfordians were first to react and score a converted try to seal an unlikely victory.

Stocker went on to say “We should have taken our kicks at goal when we had the opportunity. I thought our first phase at scrums and line-outs went well, and I was pleased with our rucking and our play at the contact area and breakdowns. I also thought our defensive alignment was good. My man of the match is Jordan Smith for his all round tackling and work at the breakdown.

We didn’t however convert our chances to score and we allowed them to capitalise on our unforced errors and silly mistakes. My biggest disappointment is our handling and game management.”

Horsham’s next game is in the league at home to Gillingham Anchorians on Saturday November 30, who knocked Horsham out of the Senior Vase last week, and will prove another stern test in view of their rich vein of form.

Horsham: Day, Grantham-Hill, Talbot (capt) (Barber 65); Goward, Grover; Smith, N Bell (Fisher 55), Ordidge; Rush, W Bell; Gibbs, Brown (Brooker 7), Price, Johnson; Goodsir