COC�FACTS

Dear readers,

Wow – what a season. Finally, it’s the last fixture and boy is it a big one! We welcome Blackheath 1s (congrats on the promotion gents) and 2s to the Big Field for an almighty ending to this incredible season for DRFC.

Across senior rugby, not only have we seen huge success in our 1st XV’s return to National 2, finishing on target in the top 25% of the league, we have also seen the 2nd XV come a close second in their league, the 3s back firing on all cylinders with some cracking wins and the ladies led by Pip Merrett continuing to flourish –ending their season with a tour to Wales last weekend – superb! Not forgetting the Derelicts (or should we call them the Galacticos) who have swept all before them. What really has been most pleasing to see for your authors is the quality of player (male and female) coming through the Youth Development Programme here at the club. We pride ourselves on home grown talent at Dorking; there is plenty of it coming through, bolstering the senior rugby ranks. We are in a very fortunate position as a club, down to the hard work of the members, players, volunteers and staff. We are so grateful to you all. Long may it continue!

The game today is even more special since stalwart James Catton is retiring after a remarkable DRFC career which began back in the 90s. There has been plenty written about his achievements circulating on club social channels, but your authors felt it appropriate to delve into the archives, speaking to some of his peers and getting to the bottom of the other side of ‘Jimmy Reigate!’

‘I remember Catton coming through the ranks. Full of it he was. Spikey straightened hair, a bright orange motor his old man bought him and a real penchant for women and VK tropicals. He also just bloody loved Liquid and Envy nightclub in Redhill after a post-match session at the club. He was never the same after it closed, it was like his mojo for nightlife went down with the place. What was my favourite memory of Catton? Well, he had this annexe at his Dad’s house which he called the Chopping Board. He’d get ladies back, then have them leave a review in a guest book before they left – loved that’.