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A
XV Report 2008-9
Played: 22 (Including
walkovers) Won: 16 Lost: 6
The successful 2007/08 season was now
behind us, and this year was all about moving onwards and
upwards in the Surrey Merit league. The intention being to
battle it out for another 20 odd league games and finish off
with a number 1 next to our name. With this in mind the
season set off to a great start and we looked to be on track
for achieving this target for some time. Sadly this did not
last as long as hoped for, a minor hiccup in our performance
followed for reasons unknown and 3 of the losses arrived in
quick succession as times were starting to look bleak. This
was fortunately short-lived as we soon returned to form and
ended up just short of expectations in 2nd place,
several points below Chobham who managed to power through to
a strong and well-deserved unbeaten season!
This year there were far more players
available to choose from. Firstly, there was an increase in
the number of players emerging from James Catton and Dobbo’s
year group. For some reason, 18 year olds finishing off at
school seem to like taking a ‘Year Out’ in which they get to
enhance their life experience, sample the various cultures
around the globe whilst charming the sophisticated young
ladies of the world…. But before they get to partake in
these activities they must work locally, receive the minimum
wage and fill their free time with top class entertainment
sourced by DRFC. Also getting involved, were those returning
from university, spending time with their beloved parents
before settling into a full time job for the rest of their
lives. To top all that, the 1st XV once again had
such a vast array of players to choose from that our options
grew ever stronger as the remaining class players ended up
in our selection bucket.
First up in the fixture list was the
notorious battle against last year’s winners of the Merit
table, KCS old boys. Surprisingly, the fixture landed at the
start of the season before any of their numerous students /
stronger players returned to university. Dorking therefore
welcomed a strong, young and confident looking group of
athletes to take to the big field. This was a nerve racking
moment for us as, being the first league game of the season
and coming up against what was expected to be our strongest
opposition for the year, we needed some kind of inspiration
to fill us with the pride and passion required. Never fear
as we were saved, for, in the changing rooms after our
warm-up, minutes before kick off we were stimulated by the
dulcet tones of Matt Hawkes’ latest and greatest i-phone.
From out of it came the words of Al Pacino as he primed his
troops in ‘Any Given Sunday’… or so we were led to believe
anyway. No one was really too sure, as the 2-inch sized
speakers didn’t quite have the capacity to fill out the
changing room consisting of 23 sweaty men with much volume!
Nevertheless, we got the jist of it, took on board the
benefits of this motivational technique and proceeded to
play a very competitive match. Ultimately we beat a much
dismayed and disappointed side that only a couple hours
earlier seemed convinced they would leave Brockham as
victors on this occasion.
The next few matches were won in style
against the likes of Guildford, Wimbledon and various
others. As expected each season, the odd comfortable and
effortless walkover would present themselves on occasions.
This year’s trend was initiated by our friends from
Warlingham, who were either unable to field a side or just
didn’t fancy it. Obviously, not wanting our players to
become fat and unfit during the weeks without fixtures, the
walkover was soon replaced by a friendly against Old
Hamptonians 2nd XV. I for one was confused by
their enthusiasm to challenge us, when only weeks earlier
they had already lost to our Extra A XV!!? Even so, we
ventured in the direction of the palace with its very own
maze and found ourselves beating the opposition by something
in the region of 80 points. Admittedly Chris Brown’s scoring
spree (that was to become a bit of a theme during the
season) with a double hat trick did help out somewhat that
day. More to the point though, it later became apparent that
Dorking’s naming structure for its teams may have led to
some sort of misunderstanding between the oppositions’
fixture secretaries… ‘A XV’, ‘Extra A XV’… !! Who can blame
them, either one of them could have been the team they
played earlier in the season. Even I’m unsure at times.
Having said that, a win’s a win and we were very much proud
of our efforts that day.
Another walkover later in the season was
ironically replaced with a friendly against Warlingham,
which turned out to be possibly one of the most miserable
games of rugby that Dorking A XV had been faced with so far
that season. The rain was arriving like the proverbial Cats
and Dogs, the players’ excitement was clearly focused
entirely on the Brockham fireworks display later that
evening, and not so much on rolling around the muddy, boggy
pitches. It was ultimately a tight victory, but a victory
nonetheless and we had in the process managed to make
Warlingham look like a strong and competitive outfit. So,
later that week, Evil received a request from their fixture
secretary to test the water and see if we would consider
rescheduling the earlier league fixture they had pulled out
of several weeks before. We pondered on this idea for a
total of 0.23 seconds between us and sadly had to decline
their considerate offer.
To this point in the season, we had
ascertained a very healthy record. More specifically, we
remained unbeaten for the first dozen matches or so. Sadly,
this soon came to an end and as experience has shown before,
November tends to be a bit patchy at best for the club as a
whole. This year was no exception and we were overcome by a
bit of a losing streak where we lost the next 3 league games
to Cobham, Chobham and Welsh Wizards without any rhyme or
reason, for the strength and depth of the side remained as
healthy as ever. The curse is rare though and tends to go
around this time of the season, but fortunately remains
dormant the other 11 months of the year. As predicted, in
December, the curse was lifted and we were back to winning
ways before long, losing only 3 more games over the course
of the remaining four months of the season.
The large plethora of players available
during the season, briefly highlighted above included
familiar names of those completing school, including Adam
Cooper, Rob Fee, Ali Davies and Will Crow. At the risk of
singling anybody out, I feel I should highlight Rob Fee’s
incredible commitment and dedication to the A XV this year,
especially as his talents deserved a regular spot in the 1st
XV. However, with such strong competition for Back Rowers as
per usual, the opportunities available to him were few and
far between. But his attitude when playing with the 2s
remained healthy and he continued to perform with strength
and aggression consistent with that when he played for the
1s. Other familiar faces returned to offer their services.
These regulars, having completed their education at
university, included the likes of Andy Gardner, Harry Watts
(Player of the season), Chris Brown and Nick Marlow. Most of
them were also very unfortunate not to establish a firm
footing in the 1st XV, once again given the level
of competition for their positions in the backs. As always,
I can’t forego recognising the undying (but much
appreciated) commitment from Monkey (Most improved Player)
who offered a great service to the A XV this year, scoring
many tries in the process. Of course, there were a few
other, more experienced members of the club lurking around
this year featuring in the A’s line up, helping bring that
average age up a little, whether they were experienced 1st
XV players or coming out of semi-retirement, they helped
strengthen the side up nonetheless and included the likes of
Neil Failes, Sam Williams, Woolfie, Dymo, ex first team
skipper Jamie O’Brien and of course the illustrious club
captain, Sausage.
The season ahead now brings even more
challenges and an increased requirement for strength and
depth in the side, and in the club as a whole. With the 1st
XV’s well-deserved promotion into the National 3 South East
division, the level of rugby being played will be stepped up
a gear throughout the club, especially as the A XV have now
transferred leagues into the Canterbury shield division 3,
whereby we will play all the same clubs as the 1st
XV. The opposition will be far stronger and also less likely
to default on games, which stands us in good stead to
improve the experiences of our players, facing larger and
more physical squads as we move to close the gap between the
1st XV and the A XV as much as possible,
ultimately fulfilling our objective of a ‘One Club’
philosophy successfully.
Look forward to seeing you next season.
Botchee
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