Sunday 1st May 2022
Centenary 7's
By Matt Noble
Another season comes to an end, with this one carrying additional significance for Dorking RFC as we celebrated our 100th anniversary. Coupled with the fact we gained promotion back to the National Leagues, this has helped ensure that the 2021/2022 season will live long in the memory of Dorking RFC members.
The Centenary has been an opportunity for the club to reflect on and celebrate it’s 100-year history, but also to look forward to its future. On Sunday 1st May 2022 the last of the Centenary celebrations took place with the inaugural Dorking RFC 7s tournament, something that has long been an ambition and we hope will become the legacy event of our Centenary.
8 teams arrived at The Big Field on a cool May Bank Holiday, including specialist 7s sides as well local clubs. As an open tournament with 2 groups the standard was mixed but evenly matched, with Dorking entering 1 side and making up a large contingent of another. Given the celebrations that took place after promotion, as well as at the Players’ Dinner on Friday evening it was commendable the players were able to acquit themselves as they did!
In Group A which included the Dorking side, the scores the final standings were:
Mo Bro's - 5 Points
Dorking RFC - 5 Points
Akuma Black - 2 points
Old Brightonians - 0 Points
And in Group B:
Akuma Pink - 6 points
Esher RFC - 2 points
Richmond Renegades - 2 points
AW 7's Ltd - 2 points
Advancing to the Main Cup semi-finals were MoBros vs Esher RFC and Akuma Beavers Pink vs Dorking RFC and in the Shield, Akuma Beavers Black vs AW7s Ltd and Richmond Renegades vs Old Brightonians who had to retire due to injuries.
The Dorking side came unstuck in the cup semi-finals against the Akuma Beavers Pink side who went on to win the Cup Final with a very convincing 52-0 win over Esher Rugby, the player of the tournament went to Liam Driscoll of the Akuma Beavers Pink side.
In the Shield Final Richmond Renegades were winners by 33-10 against the Akuma Beavers Black side.
The rugby was complimented but a series of bouncy castles and fun-fair types attractions manned by Dorking RFC players, with the ‘Soak the Coach’ game getting a very enthusiastic crowd from junior players and their fellow coaches looking to soak one another. Those that had stayed overnight or attended DorKamp were certainly keeping the energy levels high with their participation in the games and being loud in voice with the other spectators of the rugby.
Thank you to all those whose time and effort ensured we delivered a fantastic first tournament for players and supporters alike, from referees, physios and especially Simon Arnett, Tracy Evans and the rest of the Centenary Committee and their band of volunteers.
And that brings the Centenary season to a close, we look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible back for the tournament next year which will be even bigger and better!
