Double Header Dorking v East Grinstead & Henley - Match Day Programme
Jemma W O O D
Saturday 25 January
Double Header v East Grinstead & Henley 12.30PM & 2PM Kick Off
Daragh C H A M B E R S
Finesse are proud to be Gold sponsors of Dorking RFC, a club with which we have had a long-standing affiliation and continue to support whole-heartedly.
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TACKLING YOUR MOVE WITH EASE
A VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of Henley RFC to today’s match at the Big Field. Earlier in the season, away at Henley, we produced one of our best 40 minutes of rugby this year with a fantastic first-half performance. However, the second half was evenly contested, leaving the scores level. I expect today’s game to be a closely fought encounter, with Armand and the players determined to avenge last year’s home defeat by Henley
Both sides come into this match on the back of wins last week: Henley secured a narrow home victory against Oxford, while we delivered a thrilling comeback, winning (once again!) with the last play of the game. With that momentum, today’s match promises to be an exciting contest—though there will be no brotherly love evident for the full 80 minutes between the Howe brothers!
I would also like to express my gratitude to Mark and the team at Finesse, our Spotlight Sponsor for today, for their continued invaluable support. Mark and his team are always among the first to step forward and help the Club, and their generosity is deeply appreciated by everyone who benefits from it.
As always, I encourage you to support your teams and the match officials enthusiastically, with both passion and respect.
Shaun Hammond Chairman, Dorking Rugby Club
A WORD FROM THE DOR
Welcome back to the Big Field today.
We’re finally able to get some rugby going at Dorking in 2025, after the big freeze caused the OA’s match to be cancelled.
A warm welcome to the Henley players, supporters, and management who are visiting us this week. I know the match at your place earlier this season didn’t truly reflect your performance, and we’re sure to expect a tough challenge from you today.
We’d also like to extend a special welcome to the East Grinstead Women’s team today. It’s a significant milestone as both our Women’s and Men’s 1st teams are playing at home today, showcasing the fantastic progress our club is making.
Last weekend, we faced a tight contest at Bury St Edmunds, where a strong fightback in the last quarter saw Dorking secure a 5-point win on the road.
This week, I’m eager to see if we can carry that form into the start of our game, as there was some great rugby on display from Dorking last week.
I hope you all have a fantastic day with us today. Let’s get behind the teams and support them in every way possible!
Your Director of Rugby, Armand Roux
#WACOMB
Armand Roux Director of Rugby, Dorking Rugby Club
TODAY’S OPPONENTS - HENLEY
We’re delighted to welcome Henley Hawks to the Big Field today. A club with a proud history and strong tradition of success, Henley Rugby Club was founded in 1930 and has established itself as a staple presence in National League rugby.
The Hawks achieved their first major success in the 1992/93 season, earning promotion to the National Leagues. Their finest moment came in 1999/2000 when they secured promotion to National League 1, the third tier of English rugby. Since then, Henley has been a consistent presence in the National Leagues, often competing at levels 3 and 4.
Based at Dry Leas in Henley-on-Thames, the club enjoys tremendous community support and is renowned for its picturesque setting, just a stone’s throw from the River Thames. Henley RFC boasts a thriving youth system, a strong women’s team, and an ambitious development programme focused on nurturing local talent and building pathways to the senior squads.
This season, the Hawks have had a mixed campaign with 9 wins and 5 losses, placing them 7th in the league. They’ve displayed their characteristic flair and physicality to claim some notable scalps, including victories over Canterbury, Bury St Edmunds, and Guernsey.
We’re anticipating another thrilling encounter today as our two clubs go head-tohead. A warm welcome to all Henley players, staff, and supporters—we hope you enjoy your visit to the Big Field!
LEAGUE POSITIONS
RECENT FORM
TODAY’S OPPONENTS - EAST GRINSTEAD
We’re excited to welcome East Grinstead to the Big Field today, marking their first visit here for what promises to be a thrilling match.
Currently sitting second in the league, East Grinstead’s women’s team has been in excellent form, and they bring a competitive edge with their blend of physicality and skill.
The club’s commitment to developing rugby across all levels has played a key role in their success, and their women’s side is a shining example of that. With a strong squad and a winning mentality, East Grinstead are sure to be a tough challenge for our women’s team today.
We’re looking forward to an exciting contest and extend a warm welcome to the players, coaches, and supporters of East Grinstead. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Big Field!
LEAGUE POSITIONS
RECENT FORM
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COCK FACTS - GEORGE SPRECKLEY
When did you join DRFC and why/how?
I joined Dorking RFC for the 1996 /1997 season aged 5 following the footsteps of my older brother Alex. My Dad (Roger) also allegedly represented DRFC Derelicts in the early 90s but I am yet to be presented any evidence he ever made it out of the bar and on to the pitch on any of the many tours he embarked on.
Earliest DRFC Memory?
My earliest memory of Dorking rugby is playing in the mini festivals in horrendous weather having to warm my hands under the dryer between games. My age group team was very successful and contained many club legends including Fraser Macdonald, George Evans and Will Crow.
Rugby Inspiration?
My rugby Inspiration came from playing Jonah Lomu Rugby on the Play Station one. The great one liners from the legendary Scottish commentator Bill McLaren and smooth gameplay has cemented it as the best Rugby computer game of all time. My front row hero has always been Quins and Irish maverick Keith Wood.
If you had to drive from the Big Field to Lands
End who from the club would you want in the car with you?
I would have to fly back my long-standing chauffeur Tom Budd from OZ to take the wheel for this epic journey! He would entertain the passengers with tales of Brockham Bonfire and the DTFB. The second spot would go to Jake Dobson (Jungle Juice connoisseur), Jake would prove very useful storing any loose change needed for parking and tolls along the way. The Final spot would go to Henry Page who would
inject some youth and educate the car on the latest music and fashion trends as well as sharing Unay stories.
Who would be the last person you’d choose?
The last person I would bring would be the retiring DRFC icon Jonny Ellis. Jonny is famous for moaning, and would likely dominate the chat with Lord of the Rings factoids and criticism of the chosen route. There would also be a strong possibility of Jonny throwing the toys out the pram and storming out of the car in the last mile of the voyage.
Best moment from last season?
Not so much in the shirt but in the pubs. The best memories are definitely with boys on Tour! The top 3 being Dusseldorf, Roen and Treviso. On the field I particularly enjoyed winning the zoo league with the 2s in 2017. This squad performed extremely well both on the pitch and socially that season.
What do you like most about playing at DRFC?
Dorking is a fantastic rugby club full of great characters! The thing I love the most is the stories shared by the old boys in the bar and the mutual respect between different generations within the club.
COCK FACTS - LILY PUTTICK
When did you join DRFC and why/ how?
I joined Dorking in the U13s in 2019 after trying many sports, such as dance, gymnastics, and football, before finally deciding to give rugby a go after watching my dad (Wolfie Jr.) play at Dorking for as long as I can remember.
Earliest
DRFC Memory?
My earliest memory of DRFC is being a little kid, probably around 5 or 6, climbing trees on a Saturday to find a better view of my dad’s matches while my mum stood on the sidelines taking pictures. I’d run up after the game to try to tackle him.
Rugby Inspiration?
My most prominent rugby inspiration is probably my college rugby coach, Emily Robinson. However, I can’t forget my old man, who first introduced me to rugby.
If you had to drive from the Big Field to Land’s End, who from the club would you want in the car with you?
I’d bring Jemma Wood to be the car DJ, Rachel Higgins for laughs and great conversation, and Lauren Parsons so between us we might actually get
some sensible directions...
Who would be the last person you’d take?
The last person I’d take would be Yasmin Jones—I don’t think I could handle her ball of energy for such a long journey!
What was your best memory in a Dorking shirt?
My best memory in a Dorking shirt has to be playing my first women’s game last season on the first team pitch and scoring a hat-trick against Camberley.
What do you like most about playing at DRFC?
My favourite thing about playing at Dorking is the family feel of the club— how everyone is always ready to pitch in, whether it’s giving someone a lift or scraping ice off the pitch with post protectors.
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COCK TRIVIA
How well do you know Dorking Rugby? Been paying attention this season? We’re putting your knowledge to the test at every home game!
1. Our Women’s team currently sits 3rd in NC 2 South East with 4 wins and 2 defeats. Who have these defeats been to?
2. Earlier this season, our 1st XV beat Henley 5-34 at Dry Leas with a solid performance. During which season did we last lose to the Hawks?
2023-24 / 2022-23 / 2021-22
3. Dorking currently sits top of the charts at level 4 of English Rugby for which uncommon stat?
Biggest Fortress / Highest Winning Margin / Best Travellers
4. For what sporting event is the town of Henley most commonly known?
Henley Marathon / Henley Royal Regatta / Thames Showjumping Festival
5. Last week, the 1st XV travelled to Bury St Edmunds, their longest away bus trip of the season, but which is furthest away as a crow flies: Bury St Edmunds or Guernsey?
BSE / Guernsey
6. This season, more players have played for the 1st XV than in both the previous seasons in Nat 2 East. How many players is this?
35 / 43 / 49
7. Who is currently the top try scorer for the Women’s team this season?
Lily Puttick / Charlotte Winslet / Jemma Wood
8. This season marks the first season the club has had two ladies’ teams, but when was the Ladies section first formed?
1972 / 1988 / 1999
9. Tom Hardwick played in the 2018 U20 World Cup, scoring a try in the semi-final, against which nation?
South Africa / France / Scotland
10. One current Dorking player has also played for Henley, who?
Craig Holland / Tom Howe / George Jackson
Flip over to the end of the programme for answers.
PLAYERS
PLAYERS
PLAYERS
WOMEN
Esme Arundell
Lauren Carcey
Nicolle Chambers
Maddie
Beth Dalgleish Back Row
Charlotte Andrews Backs
PLAYERS
Back Row Available to Sponsor
Second Row Available to Sponsor
Available to Sponsor
Tatiana Dupont Backs Available to Sponsor
Rachel Harrison Prop Available to Sponsor
Carolina Jacinto Prop Available to Sponsor
Grace MacKenzie Back
Available to Sponsor
Brooke Frend Fly Half Chily
Harvey Back Row Available to Sponsor
Backs Legless11
Manning Winger Available to Sponsor
Jessica Freeman Prop Available to Sponsor
Back Row Available to Sponsor
Hooker Available to Sponsor
Garel Prop MVAM
Centre /
Sawkings Architects
Hooker Available to Sponsor
Leah
Kate
Maddy Hemsley
Rachel Higgins
Flyhalf
S
Yasmin Jones
Carly
Tamzin Kerslake
Steph Le Hur
Lissy Merrett Scrum Half Tequila
Pip Merrett The Five Stooges
Iva Hardwick
Jacqui Ide
Laura Lopez Fly Half Useful Simple Trust
Natasha Merrett Full Back The Lab Pack
Mollie Moore Tighthead Prop Stuart Tracy Ben and David H
S L T
Amber Miller Number 8 Downs Solicitors LLP
Hayley Murphy Outside Center Available to Sponsor
Lauren Parsons Back Row Jacques Construction
Olivia Dentus
PLAYERS
Jas. Pitt-Payne Back Row Surbiton Tackle & Bait
Imogen Sellings Number 8 Roxy - Applewood IT
Imogen Trigger Fly Half Kevin and Kay Shopland
Jemma Wood Winger Jo White
Lexie Potgieter Center Kevin and Kay Shopland
Bronwen Roberts Backs Available to Sponsor
Rowan Shiers Scrum Half Available to Sponsor
Lucie Warren Second Row The Derelicts Four
Amber Pressler Prop Available to Sponsor
Lucia Schifano Center Metricab Power Engineering Ltd
Emma Stephenson 2nd Row Available to Sponsor
Wilson Scrum Half Available to Sponsor
Lily Puttick Hooker Roxy - Applewood IT
Sophia Schifano Prop Metricab Power Engineering Ltd
Erin Taylour Second Row Available to Sponsor
Charlotte Winslet Wing Available to Sponsor
Raja Winger Available to Sponsor
Jessie Scully Backs Available to Sponsor
Lynn Tickner Back Row Red Engineering S
Alysia Winzar Forward Available to Sponsor
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP
Support Dorking Rugby by sponsoring a player! Your sponsorship not only helps the club grow but also celebrates the hard work of our players, management, and support staff.
For more info or to sponsor a player, email us at sponsorship@dorkingrfc.com.
Laveeza
Dara
STAFF
James Edmundson Head of YDP
to Sponsor
Ella Neary Physio
to Sponsor
Lana Crouch Lead Youth Physio Available to Sponsor
Jack Bairstow Women’s Coach
to Sponsor
DRFC’S ‘THROUGH THE KEYHOLE’
Courtesy of Club Captain Henry Smith, we’re now testing how well you know the key personalities at Dorking Rugby. The concept is simple: a series of photo clues from which you, the reader, must deduce this week’s featured club personality (or personalities). You’ll find the answers at the end of the programme.
1ST XV FIXTURES
HIRE CLUB FACILITIES
Parties, anniversary dinners, christenings, birthday lunches, staff BBQs, seminars, product launches, corporate events, awards ceremonies and more... Our two storey multi-room venue offers flexible space with plenty of free onsite parking. Whatever the occasion, family functions, business or leisure our events team and in-house caterer can help.
Contact bar@dorkingrfc.com or call Gurdeep on 07540 723133.
Our experienced physiotherapists provide a treatment and recovery plan that’s personalised to you, to relieve your symptoms and help you get back to your everyday self.
We have a large physiotherapy department which includes a fully equipped gym, an on site hydrotherapy pool and an anti-gravity running machine to aid return to running especially following sports injuries.
Services offered by our physiotherapy team:
Acupuncture
Hand and wrist physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
Hydrotherapy
Pilates
Post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
Shockwave therapy
Sports Injury Clinic – rapid access assessment and imaging
Women’s health physiotherapy
HIRE CLUB FACILITIES
Parties, anniversary dinners, christenings, birthday lunches, staff BBQs, seminars, product launches, corporate events, awards ceremonies and more... Our two storey multi-room venue offers flexible space with plenty of free onsite parking. Whatever the occasion, family functions, business or leisure our events team and in-house caterer can help.
Contact bar@dorkingrfc.com or call Gurdeep on 07540 723133
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
JOHN DOUGLAS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND
This special initiative was launched in March 2017 with a primary aim to fund or part fund specific projects or initiatives in the support of obtaining the highest possible standard and engagement of rugby through DRFC, with particular emphasis on Youth Development.
We are extremely grateful to the following for their support of the Fund:
Patrons:
John Aarvold
Martin Ashford
Kevin Beal
Robert Bennett
Andrew Chitty
Mary Douglas
Derek Grieve
Shaun Hammond
Mark & Jo Harrison
David Hemmings
John Holder
Stewart Irvine
Alan King
Stuart & Tracey Mitchell
Ian Newcastle
Roger Parkin
Sir Michael Pickard
Michael Spicer
Colin Taylor
Andy Webb
Bob White
Benefactors:
Bramley House
Tracy Evans
EfficiencyIT
Paul & Gill Gardner
Nick & Sarah Gillett
Paul Instone
Mark Janaway
Jaques Construction
Jack May
Jamie & Pip Merrett
Chris Millar
O’Halloran & O’Brien
Jim Regan
Armand Roux
Nick Smith
Colin Troughton
Michael & Carolyne Walter
Harry Watts
Jonathon Watts
Chris Webb
Dominic Wright
A big ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our contributors
For more information of how to contribute and to request a standing order or donation form, please contact: treasurer@dorkingrfc.com.
LEAGUE TABLE & RESULTS
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dorking continues to thrive, chasing another record finish in the National Leagues. There’s never been a better time to get involved, with sponsorship opportunities for our record-setting men’s team, promotion-winning ladies’ side, National Cupwinning colts, and various age groups—not to mention our fantastic events yearround.
Contact Andy Webb on andyjwebb@btinternet.com to find out how you
be a part of the DRFC Sponsorship Group for the season to come.
TODAY’S TEAMS
Arman
LEAGUE TABLE & RESULTS
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Dorking continues to thrive, chasing another record finish in the National Leagues. There’s never been a better time to get involved, with sponsorship opportunities for our record-setting men’s team, promotion-winning ladies’ side, National Cupwinning colts, and various age groups—not to mention our fantastic events yearround.
Contact Andy Webb on andyjwebb@btinternet.com to find out how you can be a part of the DRFC Sponsorship Group for the season to come.
TODAY’S TEAMS
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TRIVIA & KEYHOLE ANSWERS
COCK TRIVIA ANSWERS
1. Our Women’s team currently sits 3rd in NC 2 South East with 4 wins and 2 defeats. Who have these defeats been to?
Our ladies have lost this season to Seaford & Guernsey, both away from home in close defeats to two sides who remain undefeated so far.
2. Earlier this season, our 1st XV beat Henley 5-34 at Dry Leas with a solid performance. During which season did we last lose to the Hawks?
The last defeat to Henley was on the 11th of March 2023, where they ran out 14-19 winners at the Big Field.
3. Dorking currently sits top of the charts at level 4 of English Rugby for which uncommon stat?
Our Men’s 1st XV are currently the best travelling team at level 4 with 8 wins on the road.
4. For what sporting event is the town of Henley most commonly known?
The Henley Royal Regatta, of course
5. Last week, the 1st XV travelled to Bury St Edmunds, their longest away bus trip of the season, but which is furthest away as a crow flies: Bury St Edmunds or Guernsey? Guernsey is the furthest, 157 miles as the crow flies, while BSE is 82 miles away.
6. This season, more players have played for the 1st XV than in both the previous seasons in Nat 2 East. How many players is this? 49 players is the correct answer.
7. Who is currently the top try scorer for the Women’s team this season? Jemma Wood is leading the way with 6 tries currently.
8. This season marks the first season the club has had two ladies’ teams, but when was the Ladies section first formed?
Formed in 1988, the first Ladies’ team played regularly through the 1990s, culminating in them winning the North South Junior Cup in 1999. The first U15 and U18 Girls’ teams were formed during the 2000s.
9. Tom Hardwick played in the 2018 U20 World Cup, scoring a try in the semi-final, against which nation?
South Africa in a game they went onto win 32-31 before going on to lose the final against France.
10. One current Dorking player has also played for Henley, who?
George Jackson played for Henley between 2016 and 2020 for a total of 54 games, scoring 7 tries and 383 points for the club.
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