Horsham maintain momentum

This included starting with two teenage props who held their own against more experienced opposition which augurs well for the future.

With Old Dunstonians losing to Folkestone and Horsham’s lead over third place extending to nineteen points, the race for the league title looks ever more like a two horse race with Dartfordians as both sides gallop down the home straight neck and neck, set for a titanic clash at Horsham next week with the victor in a strong position to secure league honours.

Horsham attacked from the kick-off with a strong wind advantage. Sean Tuhakaraina made a strong break but his pass was too low to be held and was overrun. After 8 minutes Horsham were able to turn their pressure into points when they were awarded a scrum penalty in front of the posts which was slotted by Tom Johnson.

Tuhakaraina was repeatedly breaking through the centre of the Park House defence but was finding it more resilient than when the sides last met in September, and never quite found the open spaces.

Horsham were looking to score tries and when awarded another penalty in front of the posts the Green and Whites decided to kick for the corner but failed to score from the line out.

Park House lost a couple of players to the sin bin as they tried to absorb the pressure being applied by Horsham, and the Green and Whites took advantage after 16 minutes when Scott Price scored off a driving maul from a line out and the try was converted by Johnson, and then Richard Tredgett delayed his pass to allow Matt Stone to run round and score in the corner.

The visitors however refused to roll over and came back with a well worked try of their own on the stroke of half time from a driving maul to reduce the deficit to 15-7, after Richard Tredgett had been yellow carded.

Park House continued to exert pressure on the Horsham line at the start of the second half as they tried to take advantage of the extra player but found the Green and White defence difficult to break down, and also missed a penalty attempt at goal.

Horsham made a number of changes in the pack from the bench and then on 55 minutes broke out and scored one of the tries of the season going the length of the field with a fine finish from 19 year old winger Jerry Downey to score his debut try for the 1st XV.

Horsham were now playing with greater fluidity and with the ball going wider, Johnny Ordidge burst through a gap in the Park House defence, to pass to the supporting Will Bell but with a try looking certain Jamie Gibbs overran Bell’s pass and the ball went to ground. Moments later Bell popped up on the other wing to create the position for Michael Tredgett to cross the line from a catch and drive for the bonus point try.

Park House refused to buckle and scored a well worked try and won the race to the touchdown following a chip through after Horsham had conceded the ball at a driving maul.

But there was still time for Horsham to add some gloss to their win when they scored another fine handling try after Ordidge burst through another gap at pace to slice open the defence, drew the cover and pass to Gibbs in support and this time there was no mistake when he found Bell on his outside to time his run perfectly to cross the line and seal the victory.

Horsham coach Nick Stocker reflected after the game, “It was a good effort all round. On paper we were expected to win comfortably but that in itself brings its own pressure and there was an element of complacency with one eye on next week. Ultimately I am happy that we secured a bonus point win.

Despite a strong start where we were playing to our patterns with pace and precision, we went off the boil in the middle third, playing as individuals. We didn’t move the ball and kept hold of it at the wrong times and the game became a rather staid affair. We gave away too many penalties not understanding the referee’s interpretations, the game stopped flowing and we allowed them back in.

There were a number of changes to the team because of minor injuries as the new players settled in. The result maintains the momentum into the mouth- watering clash next week.

There were notable performances from young Kyle Fairs and Liam Brady in our front row. Michael Tredgett carried well having been ill all week, and Scott Price did well in the first half.

I awarded a joint man of the match to Jonny Goward who carried well and secured all his own line out ball, and Will Bell who was outstanding under the high ball and was always a threat in attack.”

Horsham’s next game is the top of the table clash with Dartfordians at home on 17 January.

Horsham: W Bell, Gibbs, Ordidge, Tuhakaraina, Downey; Johnson, Mills (Rush 67); Brady, Stone, Fairs (Barber 53); Green, Goward; Tredgett M, Price (Smith 51), Tredgett R