Cobham went out of the RFU Senior Vase with a 34-20 defeat at home to Dorking last Saturday.

Dorking were welcome visitors to Fairmile Lane. Early-season opposition has so far provided little resistance to a much-improved Cobham first XV, and the opportunity to lock horns with the team leading the London South West Three, the league above Cobham's, was eagerly anticipated by players and supporters alike.

Dorking played Cobham three times last season, beating them comfortably twice in the league in their successful drive for promotion; but when the two sides met in the same cup competition last year, the story was very different; Dorking sneaking the win at Fairmile Lane with a last minute try.

That they subsequently went on to Twickenham some six rounds later and won the entire competition is well known: that their win over Cobham was the closest score throughout their entire cup run much less well known.

With both sides enjoying unbeaten records so far this year, and with last years history in mind, a fierce encounter was anticipated by all; and in ideal conditions, the match itself was no disappointment.

The unexpected unavailability of a number of first choice players meant three changes up front for Cobham, and a wholesale reshuffle of the backs.

This situation was mirrored in the Dorking dressing room as they too were unable to field what would normally be regarded as their full starting lineout; but perhaps crucially, Cobham were missing Mark Bennett and Jason Bright in the front row, plus back up prop/flanker James Green. Happily, club chairman and former first XV Captain Ian Thomas was persuaded to volunteer his not inconsiderable bulk at tight head on the promise that he didn't have to run anywhere during the game.

From kick off, Cobham's pack tore into their Dorking counterparts with some considerable aggression and were rewarded with an early penalty which fly-half Chris Perry stroked over. Dorking however were swift to respond and scrambled over the Cobham line for their first try a few minutes later.

With 15 minutes gone, Cobham's hooker Gavin Bolton then stole a strike against the head in the scrum which Chris Perry placed neatly into touch five yards from the Dorking line.

From the resultant line out, Bill Davison caught and drove at the Dorking line; which has been a highly successful tactic for Cobham so far this season.

Normally hooker Mark Bennett is on hand to score - which he has done on 7 occasions so far this year.

In his absence, it fell to replacement prop Ian Thomas to do the honours with the assistance of his fellow forwards as Cobham regained the lead.

Cobham continued to apply the pressure in all departments, with back row forwards Gavin Hart, Jack Davison and Simon Mills causing the Dorking backs all sorts of problems, and good back play putting winger Martin Green into space on several occasions, from which Cobham were unlucky not to score.

Dorking were repeatedly guilty of trying to slow down Cobhams possession, and eventually referee Tony Millard lost patience with the Dorking eight, dispatching him shortly before half time for a 10 minute rest behind the posts Cobham however failed to capitalise on having the additional player; and some fine driving work by the Dorking forwards resulted in a penalty to level the scores at 10-10, right on the stroke of half-time.

The second half started much as the first had finished; with the numerically challenged Dorking forwards driving hard at the Cobham defence, and they were quick to add a further three points through a penalty whilst still a man down.

Strangely, the return to the fray of the Dorking eight seemed to inspire the Cobham side; Imile Keyser having several strong charges in the loose, Bill Davison dominating the lineouts, Spencer Franks bossing the game from scrum half; and Cobham quickly leveled the score with another Chris Perry penalty.

At this point, whether Dorking felt they had been playing better without a full pack we will never know, but after a strong passage of play by Cobham Mr Millard dispatched a second Dorking player to the sin-bin for repeated infringements at the ruck; and true to the tipsy-turvy nature of the game, a depleted Dorking side seemed to gain heart and scored a further try, totally against the run of play to take a 20-13 lead.

Once again, the return to the pitch of the Dorking flanker bizarrely prompted Cobham into renewed efforts; a searing break and outrageous dummy from scrum half Spencer Franks putting number eight Gavin Hart into space; good backing up and link work from flanker Jack Davison putting his brother Bill Davison in under the posts to level the scores again, with 10 minutes to go.

A third sin-binning for Dorking, this time the winger, for repeated offences at the ruck did Cobham no favours; as almost immediately a wild hack from a Dorking foot dislodged the ball from Franks' hands at the base of a ruck on the half way line and the following fly hack found unexpected space and favourable bounce.

Good following-up from the Dorking tight head saw him plunge over for a well taken, if slightly fortuitous try and a seven point lead.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, Cobham's only chance was to score a converted try and again level the scores and hope that there was either time for a drop goal or a penalty to win the match; or else hope that they could win in extra time.

Sadly, their valiant efforts to run the ball out of defence broke down and Dorking touched down right on the final whistle for a final converted score to finish off what had been a well contested encounter.

While ultimately the scoreline perhaps flattered Dorking, there was no complaint from the Cobham quarter about the result; Dorking's dogged refusal to allow Cobham to make use of numerical advantage after a busy afternoon for Mr Millard's yellow card ultimately being the difference between the sides: as on three occasions Dorking took the lead while down to 14 men.

Overall, Cobham can take heart from their performance and will hope that the experience of such a testing encounter will stand them in good stead for the two difficult away league games at Petersfield and London Cornish over the next fortnight.