The start to the new rugby union season has not gone to plan for some.

One week after claiming their first win of the season with a 38-32 success away to Oxford Harlequins, Old Albanian fell to a second home defeat, going down 43-28 to Dorking at Woollams.

It was a fast and exciting game in National Two East, one where OAs enjoyed a superlative 30 minutes.

The first try came from a five-metre line-out on three minutes, although instead of the usual catch and drive, the ball was given to Greg Lound to score under the posts, Sam Jones converting.

Dorking equalised from a line-out of their own minutes later but parity lasted just two minutes as Stephen Hihetah burst through the centre to score. Jones again converting.

And when a penalty was kicked to the corner, OAs unleashed their catch and drive to put Charlie Fleckney over, Jones again kicking the extras.

But Dorking came back and two tries in the final 10 minutes of the half left the sides level at 21-21.

Albanian scored immediately at the start of the second half, Charlie West breaking tackles with the accurate Jones again converting.

But that bonus point try was to be their last score as Dorking gained the upper hand.

Three more tires, two converted, and one penalty meant the afternoon was pointless for OAs.

Harpenden's opening three games have been difficult in the extreme.

Injuries and unavailability have hit hard and after two heavy losses to Tring and Letchworth, they fell to a 43-10 reverse at Hertford, unconverted tries coming from Alex Birch and Tom Sweeney.

It leaves them bottom of Regional One South East.

Both Verulamians and Tabard have suffered two defeats from two in Counties Two Herts Middlesex.

Vees were without a game this week but Tabard were defeated 15-13 at home to St Albans.

Saints have been the exception to the rule so far this season, this success their third in three and leaving them third in the standings.