Pictured: Dorking RFC’s U17s team following their victory over Altrincham Kersal RFC in the National Cup Final in 2007 (Photo Mike Cooper-Woolley)
The Colts emphatic march into this season’s National Cup final at Worcester next week (Sunday 28th April) has been a source of great joy to the Dorking RFC faithful, not least because historically we know what the potential benefits are for the club’s men’s 1st XV and senior sides for years to come.
For the 2023-24 Colts side is not just a single side, but a large, happy squad of well-coached players showing all the signs and skill sets that will see them stepping up into the senior sides very soon. No-one who saw their comprehensive semi-final victory over Reading Rams will be in any doubt these talented lads are our future.
But they are not the first Dorking Colts to reach national finals in the past 20 years. As the big day approaches, we reflect on other recent successful campaigns achieved by our Colts section over the years.
In 2007, the U17s coached by Stuart Catton (father of James) and Craig Roy (father of England cricketer Jason) had a big squad and fielded two strong teams all season, culminating in the final of the National Cup competition at Worcester where they edged a tight affair with Altrincham Kersal RFC from Manchester, 13-10. Then in 2012, the U17s captained by hooker Bill Rowlands made their way to the National Cup Shield final beating Birmingham Moseley at Sixways, 20-8.
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Pictured: James Catton after his final game for Dorking RFC against Blackheath in April 2023
Great things were predicted of the 2007 side the season before when they beat arch-rivals Cobham to win the Surrey League with a talented side boasting a beast of a pack and some decent pace behind it.
The side was captained by flanker Ross Grimstone who went on to play hooker for the Dorking 1st XV helping gain promotion to Nat 2 for the first time, as did the rest of the pack: Back row Robbie Fee and Chris York, locks Jake Dobson and George Kruis, Front row Jake Cooper-Woolley, James Catton and on the bench that day prop George Evans.
Heaven knows what we fed the pack back then, but Yorkie played for Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons, Cooper-Woolley earned an England Saxons cap, as well as playing 116 times for Wasps and 31 matches for Sale, Grimmy played for London Scottish, Cardiff and several seasons with Richmond in the Championship. And then of course there was Big George Kruis, well we hardly need mention, but his stellar career after Dorking included 45 England caps, a Lions test, 185 appearances for Saracens (European Cup winners) and two seasons with Panasonic Wild Cats in Japan before concluding his career with the Barbarians for whom he famously back-heeled a conversion.
Their backs were also a formidable lot, with many representing Dorking 1st XV including centre Ed Marsh, fly-half Adam Cooper and full back Jason Roy, a formidable sportsman who has enjoyed a sparkling England cricket career. He made a handful of full test appearances, but his rapid run rate as a top of the order batsmen in ODI and T20 formats has seen him enjoy spells all over the cricketing world, while he is still on the books at Surrey. His Wiki page is a thoroughly impressive read.
“Catton’s Lot” as that team has been dubbed over the years contributed much more to the club than just under 17 silverware, providing many senior players and although former Club Captain James Catton was the last of that cohort to retire from the 1st XV, hanging up his boots last season, George Kruis’s enduring second row partner from that 2008 final Jake Dobson is still turning out for the 2s, putting it about at Esher only last weekend.
Stuart Catton, who managed that side, said:
“I had the privilege of watching this year’s semi final against Rams and was hugely impressed. They looked a very well coached and organised side, tenacious and creative and most importantly, played as a team.
I would like to wish all involved with the team and especially the players the very best of luck for the final and hope that they can take that one last step. They will.
Worcester was a happy hunting ground for us and I’m looking forward to returning to witness yet another glorious chapter in the history of DRFC unfold.”
Support Our Colts
As a club we are fundraising to put our Colts in the best dispositions as they prepare to travel to Worcester for the final of the National Cup. All support is very much appreciated and will go a long way in giving them best experience possible. All donations will be put towards support the cost of travel to and from the game, pre-match lunch for the squad as well as some specialised kit for the final.
Equally if you would like to make your way to Sixways Stadium in Worcester to be in attendance for the final, a supporters bus will be travelling from Dorking RFC. Tickets are availble on the button below.
