Pictured: Dorking RFC’s 2023/24 Colts team ahead of their semi-final against Rams in April 2024
Dorking return to Sixways on 28 April, the former home of Worcester Warriors, 11 years after their predecessors triumphed over Moseley in the National Cup plate final. This time Dorking face Newport Salop in the final of the main competition and this is a reminder of how they got there.
Dorking 86 – Horsham 7
The adventure began in glorious sunshine on the last Sunday of September. Dorking marked their return to National Cup action, after a four-year absence, with a clinical dismantling of their near neighbours, who were unfortunate to meet Dorking in such commanding form. Jai Kamaluddin was man of the match despite only playing half the game, showing impressive power on his Colts debut, but this was the first of many full-squad performances.
Sevenoaks 14 – Dorking 31
On to early October and Dorking were paired with the first team’s arch rivals Sevenoaks, whose stated aim for the season was to win the National Cup. This was a pulsating tie on a sweltering day. The Dorking forwards wore down their opponents, overpowering them in the scrum and at the breakdown, with the backs running in some great tries. Centre Will Darbishire played a starring role and Charlie Nichol was faultless off the kicking tee. This was a thoroughly convincing performance against top-notch opponents.
Tonbridge Juddians 5 – Dorking 12
Dorking’s reward for knocking out one of the Cup favourites was a trip to TJs in November. Familiar opponents again at first-team level, TJs were the defending National Cup champions, having also won the trophy in 2015 and 2017. This was Dorking’s toughest test to date, with the game played on a boggy pitch and with a strong crosswind. TJs opened the scoring but some excellent Dorking defence limited them to a single score. In a nail-biting finish, Charlie Aldridge got the decisive score in the corner just before being bundled into touch. In a game of fine margins, Dorking had displayed real character in taking another Kent scalp.
Dorking 24 – Winchester 21
After a break over Christmas, Dorking returned to the Big Field to host Winchester Academy in mid-January as the tests just got tougher. Winchester brought with them a heavy-duty pack and tested Dorking to the limits, constantly peppering the Dorking line with their strong runners. Trailing by nine points at half time, Dorking again found a way to win, squeezing home by a three-point margin. Centre Chris Styles scored a brace of tries and winger Will Simpson dotted down in the corner for the decisive score in the dying minutes.
Rosslyn Park 17 – Dorking 21
Back on the road in February, Dorking ventured up to Rosslyn Park in a re-run of the Surrey Cup final, which Dorking had won narrowly just before Christmas. Again, this was a tight affair, with Dorking falling behind to an early Park try. Following a familiar pattern, Will Darbishire made the decisive break just before half time to give Dorking a lead they would not surrender. Charlie Nichol, with some amazing footwork, put the game to bed in the second half to put Dorking into the last four.
Pictured: Charlie Nichol with the ball against Rosslyn Park Colts in the quarter finals of the National Cup
Dorking 56 – Rams 12
Dorking’s reward was a home semi-final on Easter Sunday. With the club pulling out all the stops – including a pre-match lunch for 120 – this was a day to remember for those who were there. With some rare March sunshine and a drying pitch, Dorking knew the conditions were in their favour. After a cagey first 15 minutes, Dorking turned on the style running in tries from all angles. That man Darbishire collected four tries in another outstanding effort, although this was a full 21-man performance, with the forwards particularly impressive, something which seemed to take their opponents by surprise. A pitch invasion at the end and the clubhouse shrouded in red smoke provided some iconic images of the post-match celebrations which went on long into the evening.
Pictured: Will Darbishire on his way to score a try against Rams in the semi-final of the National Cup
Colts Head Coach, Dominic Brockes said:
“This season’s Colts are a special group. Every member of the 52 strong playing group has contributed to their success. Through team work, hard work and a constant desire to improve they have battled their way past previous winners and finalist to reach the last two in the National Cup.
It has been a privilege to work with them and they should all be proud of their achievements. This is also testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the coaching group, the Colts Development Program and Parents. Truly a One Club result!”
Director of Rugby, Armand Roux said:
“I’m very excited to see this group really enjoying their rugby this year. They have really embodied what we are trying to achieve and grabbed the development opportunities that have been presented to them with both hands.
Having been part of the both the 2007 and 2012 groups that made it to the National finals before, it feels even more special that we have now put a formal club structure in place to help our Colts and this special group to develop and realise their potential.
All the best for Sunday and enjoy the moment”
