MATCH REPORT DORKING V LONDON WELSH 6th Sept 2025

So, the scene was set for the Exiles to return to National League Rugby for the first time since exiting the Championship in 2016/17 season.

The fixture algorithms pitted Welsh away from home against last season's 2nd place side in the shape of Dorking RFC.

Dorking have slowly crept their way up the leagues from London 4 in the early 2000s, to now being a formidable force at level 4. However, this was the first time the the clubs have met in London Welsh's 140-year history!

Welsh have had a strong preseason with a win on the road at Oxford and a narrow loss to old friends Neath at the Gnoll.

However, that came at the expense of a number of injuries: Garin Lloyd the former Wales u20 and London Scottish hooker, fracturing both collar bones (!), all 6’10 of Fraser Wem's hip adductor, Sam Johnson's broken finger, new signing Frankie Souto with a hamstring issue, as well as Club Captain Adam Nixon, George West, Connor Botha and Steve Shingler all out.

It was therefore a chance for some other new faces to make their mark and put a stamp on the side with no less than 6 debutants in the matchday squad including former Wales u20, Bath and Ampthill man Syd Blackmore, as well as Max Bodilly signed from Ealing.

Welsh began the game recieving the kickoff against a relatively strong wind and playing up hill to what is a rather steep slope on the home side's ‘Big Field’ pitch.

Thankfully, if any beleaguered London Welsh supporters had per chance gotten lost in the serene surroundings and rolling countryside of our hosts, there were two elderly gentlemen (Dorking gents) who were readily on hand for the entire match to regularly remind everyone exactly where we were (if you were there you'll know!).

Dorking are a very sharp and well drilled outfit, very at home in Nat 2 and experienced in the rigours of the league. That certainly showed in the first half. A talented backline with a wealth of Premiership level experience looked confident and created problems from the outset.

The large and well-drilled pack linked well with the backline in the first 20 minutes, as Welsh struggled to exit effectively.

It did not take long for the home side get the scoring under way as a neat interchange in midfield and a chip and chase, unlocked the Welsh scramble defence to see Matt Hardwick go over under the posts and convert his own try.

Welsh were again under the hammer for the 10 minutes following the opening score as Dorking used their experience to strangle Welsh endeavour and capitalise clinically on mistakes, territory and possession. Howe and Reynolds in the Dorking midfield working well to allow the latter to cross at the 13-minute mark. That play also was the last for debutant Jac Welsh who jarred his knee and was replaced by another debutant, former Cromer,Bath University BUCS and Richmond talent Harry Breeze.

The pressure did not relent and on 25 minutes Dorking 10 (Hardwick) slotted a straightforward penalty to take the score out to 17 to nil for the home side.

Welsh were slightly shell shocked after the first 25 minutes, the clear step up in pace and accuracy in the new league taking time to adjust to. Dorking will fairly feel that they probably should have added another try in this period given their control of the game at that stage noted in their territory and possession. Indeed in the 26th minute they crossed the line again but were held up by some dogged Welsh defence, a moment which later proved to be somewhat of a critical turning point in the game.

Welsh then began to grow in confidence and went on to show some promise in the remainder of the half. A number of entries to the Dorking 22 ended with frustration and also what looked to be a certain try being well held up over the try line by the Dorking pack.

And so, the first half came to an end with the hosts comfortably ahead by 17 points (2 tries); but with Welsh coming into the game having weathered the storm.

And so began the fight back…..after chosing to remain on the pitch at half time the second 40 gave Welsh the advantage of the slope with the bit between their teeth.

Although Welsh's restart went dead, savvy play in defence saw successive penalties awarded to growing Welsh side and for the first 20 minutes Welsh were dominant in all facets of play. Held up over the line once again at 46 minutes after the first of 2 Dorking yellow cards. Yellow card number one came on 44 minutes for Dorking no.12 Callum Powell, a deliberately knock on as Welsh looked to be away and clear with the try line bekoning.

Welsh won 5 penalties on the bounce in the Dorking Half from scrum, to offside to high tackle and the latter ended with Stephenson given a 10-minute rest as Dorking were briefly [3 minutes] down to 13 men. It was at that stage that the Welsh first score came via Harri Lang; over in the corner after 10 phases of sustained Welsh pressure. Matt Hodgson just wide with the extras from the touch line.

From the restart Welsh were straight back to camping on the Dorking line and could have scored again almost immediately. However, in desperation to spread the ball wide the ball was intercepted by pacey home no.15 Charlie Reynolds West who was away from inside his 22. An incredible effort of pace and commitment from Exiles winger Adam Dunne saw him chase down, catch and tackle the runaway full back. Unfortunately, the referee felt that Adam also slowed down the resulting play, and he was off for 10 minutes in the bin. 14 played 14 for a couple of minutes before Dorling were back up to full numbers.

Despite being down the man, Welsh could not be subdued, and they continued to hammer away at the Dorking line. Jordan Dyer had entered the field of play in the front row, and Ewan Gully into the back line.

Patient and controlled build up play again brought fruit as the Dorking defence struggled to keep their discipline and the penalty count rose once again.

The game moved into the final quarter with Dorking barely having any possession for the first 20 minutes of the second half and hardly leaving their half. We had some handbags on 60 minutes as things got heated with the game very much in the balance. Welsh finally crossed for their 2nd try on 75 minutes with the relentless pressure telling an impressive Jordan Dyer crossed from within the engine room after a great driving maul. Hodgson wide with the conversion made the score 17-10 to Dorking with less than 10 to play.

The half was finished with further pressure from Welsh as they had two opportunities to level the scores but superb and often last-ditch Dorking defence held tight. Dorking had a drop goal attempt and a long-range penalty both go wide in the closing five minutes in an apparent attempt to take away the Welsh losing bonus point.

At the final whistle the score read Dorking 17, London Welsh 10.

Welsh will feel that they were unlucky not to nick this one. Dorking will feel that they should have made more of their early dominance. All in all, two very well-matched sides and a game that could have gone either way.

Very encouraging for Welsh with committed and encouraging performances from the whole squad to a man.

Thank you to Dorking for great hospitality and for looking after the large travelling support, we enjoyed our first trip to the BIG Field and we look forward to seeing you at ODP in April.

Welsh move on Old Albanians in Round 2 at ODP next week; a big crowd and superb matchday in TW9 no doubt.

London Welsh scorers:

TRIES

Harri Lang

Jordan Dyer

Yellow card Adam Dunne