The U14’s Girls team arrived at Sidcup Rugby Club confident they could come away from the Waterfalls finals with some silverware. They'd already played the two other teams in their group (Ashford and Beckenham) earlier in the season and come out the right side of the result both times. However, both opposition teams have some really good players that can turn matches at any point so there was no room for complacency. Coach Gav warned the team in the warmup that our opponents would be looking for revenge and they certainly looked ready from the first whistle.
First up was Ashford. It was a tight first 5 minutes with both teams having some good spells of possession. Darts defence was resilient, but it was our attacking play, which at times was the best we've seen all season, that gave Darts a 15-5 half time lead with a couple of tries coming just before the break.
The next try was crucial. It meant we either got a bit of breathing space or Ashford was right back in the match. The girls started to produce some of the best rugby the coaches have seen all season and rucked their hearts out. Retaining our own ball and turning over opposition Darts looked totally dominant. This resulted in us getting the first victory of the day with the final score being 30-10.

Half the job done.

Beckenham was next up and the game admittedly didn't seem to have as good a flow to it than the first. Credit must go to Beckenham for that with some excellent defensive work. We seemed to have no space out wide and could only resort to driving it up the middle and making ground was very hard work. Still, the girls started to get the job done and went into the break with a 10-0 lead. We found ourselves in the same position as the first game with a 2 try gap so again, we needed to come out for the 2nd half totally focused.

The girls showed us their determination and really took the game to Beckenham with some maintained pressure in the opposition 22. Some injuries stopped the flow of the game but showed just how much commitment the girls were giving to reach their goal.

Final score Darts 20 - 5 Beckenham.

Dartfordians U14’s Kent Plate Winners – regardless of the final group game between Ashford and Beckenham.

Congratulations to every single player in the squad. Not just those that managed to play on finals day but to each member of the team that turns up to training week in, week out. We are growing a talented squad, building a reputation as formidable opponents.

Each team in our waterfalls qualifying round went on to win their finals day group so it goes to show how strong that preliminary round was.

A special mention to Avina and Imy who helped out East Kent in their group showing them how Darts (and Blackheath) do it! Some great game time in prep for the rest of the season.

Results -

Dartfordians 30 - 10 Ashford

Dartfordians 15 - 5 Beckenham

Try scorers for the day ;-

Lucy (2), Maia (2), Chloe (2), Ife, Sophie, Amelia D, Amelia YJ.

Back of the Day – Chloe V

Forward of the Day – Amelia YJ

Player of the Day – Lucy V