DORKING'S director of rugby, Richie Andrews, was proud of his players last night (Tuesday), despite seeing them lose to London Irish Wild Geese in the Surrey Cup final.
The Red & Whites A XV lost 33-12 at Esher Rugby Club, but they were far from overawed by the big occasion against the champions of National League Three South West.
And Andrews said the players did the club proud ahead of Dorking's promotion play-off in Exmouth on Saturday.
He said: "It was a fantastic effort by the players.
"They embraced the opportunity and gave it their all.
"Every single one of them did the club proud and it shows, with a few younger players coming into the side, that we have some really exciting prospects who will undoubtedly be pushing for a place in the first team in the future."
Andrews added that the result also showed what Dorking were capable of, adding that despite not fielding a first team, the Red & Whites showed they can mix it with a side that will be playing in National League Two South next season.
He said: "We want to win every game we play, but with the play-off coming up, the important thing for us was to give London Irish a good game.
"They are a good benchmark of where we want to be and hopefully we will be able to get the result we want on Saturday and we can join them there."
The Red & Whites A XV lost 33-12 at Esher Rugby Club, but they were far from overawed by the big occasion against the champions of National League Three South West.
And Andrews said the players did the club proud ahead of Dorking's promotion play-off in Exmouth on Saturday.
He said: "It was a fantastic effort by the players.
"They embraced the opportunity and gave it their all.
"Every single one of them did the club proud and it shows, with a few younger players coming into the side, that we have some really exciting prospects who will undoubtedly be pushing for a place in the first team in the future."
Andrews added that the result also showed what Dorking were capable of, adding that despite not fielding a first team, the Red & Whites showed they can mix it with a side that will be playing in National League Two South next season.
He said: "We want to win every game we play, but with the play-off coming up, the important thing for us was to give London Irish a good game.
"They are a good benchmark of where we want to be and hopefully we will be able to get the result we want on Saturday and we can join them there."
