COCKFACTS

Dear readers,

Here we are again, back at the Big Field – after what has been an extremely long succession of fixtures for the 1st XV Squad in 2023. Due to some re-arranged fixtures from last year, the boys have been playing back-to-back – the whole club tips their proverbial hat to the squad and staff for their dedication to the cause – thank you. Thanks must also go to our legendary supporters, following our team home and away. Your authors were delighted to see 100+ of you made the trip over to Guernsey at the weekend, drinking the local ale houses dry – and providing plenty of cheer and noise to the island. Locals reported on twitter that this was the best travelling support they had seen at this level – fantastic. It must also be mentioned that to our knowledge (!) all the tour party (playing and supporting) made it back to the mainland without having a brush with the local constabulary – surprising, I am sure you will agree – but an achievement given some of our fellow Nat 2 clubs’ recent visits! ‘Nuff said. A big welcome to our visitors Henley, a fine club we have had some fierce battles with over the years. Henley have a real ace up their sleeves these days, former DRFC star Will Crow!

Will plied his trade at Dorking from the age of 6 up until his late 20s, before he moved on to pastures new in Henley – in search of his now fiancée, Hannah. (Congrats to both Will and Hannah on the recent birth of their first child.)

Opening the archives, we found that Will’s last game in a Dorking shirt against his present club was way back in 2015. This was Dorking’s first ever season in National 2, finishing an impressive 4th. So, the boys travelled up to Henley for the last game of the season – Henley had already won the league, with the champagne and fanfare