GAS v Dartfordians

Darts U14s girls end the year of 2024 unbeaten.

Darts U14 Girls travelled to their old friends and rivals Aylesford Bulls to take on GAS (Aylesford, Old Gravesendians and Sheppey cluster) looking to keep their unbeaten run in 2024 intact. On a lovley April day for Rugby playing on the nice wide 1st team pitch the girls were confident that they could bring home the win. However with 8 girls unavailable due to most being away on tour with their brothers the squad was a little light and some key positions changes had to be made. A lot of work at training the day before and in the warm up with Maia as our new fly half helped the girls understand the required tactic for the day; namely play everything off 10.
The girls were briefed before the game to not take the opposition lightly, as since winning the Kent plate competition at the start of February would ensure they had big target on their backs. GAS were certainly up for the game, being very vocal in the warm up and looking the part.
The game kicked off and the advantage was certainly with the home team. They put a lot of pressure on the new look Darts back line running hard and going through the phases nearly scoring straight away but were kept out with an excellent cover tackle from our Darts ever reliable full back Tiff she’s saved our skin a fare few times this season. GAS kept putting on the pressure and their number 8 caried hard and was going through some pretty suspect tackles from the Darts girls. Scrum awarded to GAS deep in Darts half and it was the 8 again picking and going that opened up the defence to then have the ball recycled out for the winger to dot down in the corner. A nice try and first blood to GAS which they fully deserved.
Darts girls were a little in shock; but if you don't make your tackles and offer no competition in rucks what do you expect. With a couple of quick changes to strengthen up the wings and a bit of a team talk about getting stuck in and taking responsibility the girls were told to go and get their ball back. It was the wake up call they needed. Rallied by the Captain and senior members of the team the girls set about getting themselves in the game. From the ensuring kick off even though the press was good GAS still managed to break away and looked like they were up for scoring another. However the girls were now warmed up, the tackling was getting better and with a great jackal from one of our front rows which she followed up with a devastating run to open up the defence, then a pick and go from the next girl, then a hard crash followed by a majestic tip off which was taken in by the player bringing more and more defenders in to stop the onslaught. Then it was time for the backs to show their skill, Hands was the call and so it went down the line 10,12,13,15, and finally to Lucy out to the wing; it was just beautiful to watch. Lucy was in over the try line and just about to put the ball down when the ref blew up for an injury on the other side of the pitch. A real shame as it would have been our best try of the season. However this pretty much took the wind out of GAS sails?!
The Darts girls were now in the game; their superior fitness and winning desire was starting to show. Wasn't long until the first try went over... then another. The Darts girls were now in the mood and didn't want the opposition to even touch their ball. Try after try was now being run in and every single girl was playing some of the best stuff we have seen all season. Even our stand in kicker / aka I can do anything front row, Leia was making her conversions, slotting 5 of them in total. GAS to their credit offered some good fight in any scrums and their line out mauls were very impressive but our focus as a coaching group & team this season as every season is on fitness, power and letting the ball do the work and it was just too much for the opposition.
A special mention to Imy who slotted in seamlessly at scrum half showing composure and great passing from the base of rucks & scrums to get the ball away and back line moving quickly.
Forward of the week went to Freya who continues to improve week on week and she had her best game of the season by far, she shored up the scrum under some intense pressure for GAS, hit her rucks hard and had some barnstorming runs to boot.
Back of the match went to Maia because Gav said so!
Maia coped brilliantly with the change to fly half and here ball distribution meant that our centres & outside backs got the ball early enabling us to get the ball wide and score an abundance of tries.
Final score 70-5
COYD

Darts U14s end the season played 19 / won 16 and lost 3 which is a real testament to their skill, character and teamwork. Roll on next season.