SEASON OF PROGRESS

AN OUTSTANDING SATURDAY

Sponsors Day is always a special occasion at CRFC, as we take the opportunity to thank everyone who supports us. With second-place Dorking making the trip to The Marine Travel Ground, the stage was set for a brilliant Saturday of rugby.

My challenge to the players has been clear: finish the season by playing your best rugby. This is the business end—the month when league positions are decided—and the only way to finish strong is to secure results. The performance the players delivered summed up everything that’s been positive about this season. They scored some outstanding tries, wrestled back momentum after going behind, and finished on top against one of the best sides in the league. It was, without doubt, a Saturday to remember.

Our focus has always been on getting better—week to week, and season to season. The win against Dorking secured a fourth-place finish, and that achievement is a clear marker of the progress we’ve made once again.
Over the past three years, that progression has been clear: finishing tenth with a third of our games won, then seventh last season with a 50% win rate, and now heading into Saturday guaranteed fourth, with the chance to claim our eighteenth win and a 70% win ratio. It’s been another season full of great memories, with last weekend’s game against Dorking right up there among the very best. Our focus on improvement won’t change and the continued growth within the squad makes next season a truly exciting prospect.

The success we enjoy on the pitch doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s the result of countless hours and the tireless energy of so many individuals across the club and our rugby programme.

This season, 35 players have represented the 1st XV, and our ability to develop players consistently relies heavily on the Pilgrims, who play a vital role in our player pathway. The Pilgrims finished another season as champions and, due to recent rule changes, will compete in Regional 2 South East from September. The opportunities this presents for players in our men’s program cannot be overstated. Achieving back-to-back titles was always going to be a challenge, which makes this success even more special.

Since taking the reins, Jon Foster has revitalised this crucial part of the club. He’s transformed the Pilgrims from a side that, post-COVID, sometimes struggled to field 18 players into a vibrant, competitive, and winning team. Jon will be leaving us this season, and we’re all incredibly grateful for his passion and commitment.
He’s been superbly supported by Dan Gill, who stepped into the role of player-manager this year. Gilly adapted quickly and has done a fantastic job ensuring the Pilgrims were prepared for every logistical challenge that came their way.

I also have to mention Tom Short and his back-to-back champion Cannons. They’ve had another outstanding season and will be promoted again, this time to Counties 3 Kent. The ability for players to move between all the men’s teams has been a key focus for us as a club—and from my perspective, it’s been a major factor in our overall success this season.

I write this column every week, but it’s important to recognise that the success of the team over the last 12 months has come from the efforts of so many people.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH