The visitors found themselves 12-0 down to a brace of Will Simpson tries and a Charlie Nichol conversion, but got themselves into the game via a Josh Jones score.

Matt Cox added the extras, but Dorking pulled clear with a whirlwind of 32 unanswered points either side of the interval, man-of-the-match Will Darbishire crossing four times as Nichol also went over and slotted two more conversions and a penalty.

Rams kept battling valiantly and grabbed a second try through Obi Nwachuku, but the hosts had the final word with Woody Aldridge and his brother Charlie dotting down, Nichol converting the first to break the half-century barrier.

A philosophical Dave said: “Fair play to Dorking, they were very, very good. They built up a big lead and it was very hard to come back from, but at the end of the day, you have to take it on the chin and the better side won.

“As I said to the boys, you learn more from a defeat like this than from being unbeaten for 12 months and they’ll ultimately go away better for this.

“It won’t feel like it, but it will light a few fires in the bellies to win the league and also for next season.”

Rams had actually started well, testing the Dorking defence early on before Simpson’s two smart finishes out wide set the ball rolling for the Surrey side.

Dave explained; “We had most of the ball for the first 20 minutes, but whenever they turned us over they were very clinical.

“We needed to go in just a couple of scores behind, and shipping a couple late in the first half meant it was a mountain to climb.

“But I was proud of the way we kept going, the way we defended on our own goal-line and the fact we showed some grit.”

With the memorable cup run now over, Rams turn their attentions to trying to seal the OBB Division One league title, which they would do with victory against Newbury in their final home game on Sunday, April 21.

And Dave ended: “The guys are obviously gutted, but we’ll get back on the bike and the league is now the target.

“They deserve some silverware because they’ve done so, so well, and the challenge now is to dust ourselves down and target the Newbury game.”