A WARM WELCOME TO DORKING RFC
It’s another warm welcome to everyone involved with Dorking RFC, our feisty opponents from along the A25. Even those of us with short memories will surely be able to hark back to last season’s two epic struggles between the boys with the cockerel badge and The Oaks. Scores of 8-6 and 35-29 to SRFC indicate the closeness of the matches with both results hinging on vital actions and decisions right at the very end of each game.
The fact that both teams fully earned their eventual promotion is a testament to the quality of rugby served up in both matches last term. We look forward to another chapter that is developing into a keen rivalry between two ambitious and committed clubs.
Dorking RFC was formed four years before us in 1921 and played good social rugby until 1940. They re-established themselves in 1946 and grew rapidly from then on, now playing in the nearby village of Brockham under a long lease tenancy from The National Trust.
The really ancient Oaks alickadoos will remember that the Dorking fixture was for many years our first of the season and of course we played down the club with at least five sides from each club always involved. The advent of the leagues eventually put paid to that tradition; the last of those “pipe openers” was in 1996.
Before our promotion to Level 5 leagues matches had been few, in fact just seven such occasions. We came together in Level 6 (Named London 2 South then) three times from 1997/98 when clubs played each other just once a season. In fact, the 99/00 season was the last of that type, with the home and away system taking over in 00/01. We met up again in 07/08; this was a poor season for us as we were relegated, and our paths did not cross again as Dorking moved on up and eventually scaled the heights of Level 4 with some successful seasons there. However, the pendulum swings for all clubs and we met again in 19/20, having progressed to Level 5.
Another close encounter is on the cards with both clubs looking to consolidate their positions in the National Leagues. That being so we look forward to more friendly rivalry in ensuing seasons.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Bury St Edmunds v Westcliff Canterbury v Blackheath
Guernsey v North Walsham Henley v Barnes
Old Albanian v Tonbridge Juddian Rochford Hundred v Worthing