Although the Stags’ first half performance against promotion chasing Dorking was pretty abject this was not quite the complete 80 minute rout that the score-line might suggest it to be.

On another afternoon when the south westerly blew lustily towards the tennis courts – although not with anything like the strength of two weeks ago – playing into it was always going to be a difficult proposition and the Stags made a very poor fist of it whereas the Dorking fly half appeared to have his slide rule out computing the vectors, more than once putting in huge pin-point kicks right into the corner. Dorking’s well organised line-out either then did the rest : or CS’s disorganised one did it for them . You can take your pick.

Seven first half tries and a score-line of 0-49 was a fairly lamentable state of affairs but Dorking - who with this win went top again of National 3 London & South East - clearly had the possibility that points difference may yet prove decisive in this league very much in mind and in truth – although there were a couple of softish tries conceded - the visitors were for the most part playing with speed, precision and not a little panache.

Fortunately a rather more evenly matched contest was played out after the break with Dorking on the back foot for much of the half. As is so often the way though, they were able to soak it up and ended up with two further scores on the counter. Even though the Stags did not get on to the scoreboard themselves they certainly deserved to and were pressing for sustained periods. Some vestige of pride had been salvaged and those CS stalwarts who had feared a defeat of record proportions looming were at least a little consoled by those second half efforts.

Next week sees another home fixture with Guernsey RFC the visitors. Ko will be 1430.