Great away performance from the Demons at South Woodham

Following the late cry off from Elthamians Darts picked up a friendly fixture against Essex London NE 2 team South Woodhanm Ferrers not knowing what to expect but knowing from experience that Essex rugby is strong and a tough match was probable. It was a great start for Darts who pressured straight from the kick off put their catcher in difficulty and winning the ball. There was persistent pressure from good driving mauls and eventually the team was rewarded when Lee Kernott used his strength to go over form close range. Tom Mothersole converted. The home side hit back themselves and they had the ball inside the Darts 22 and when they moved the ball wide the defence was just good enough to force a foot in touch before the winger went over. A good clearing kick from Mothersole put play back into the home sides half and when Woods were penalised Darts kicked for touch. A great lineout catch from Smiler then started a driving maul which went for 40 metres before Kenny Lee broke blind and popped the ball to James Matkins who went over unopposed. Mothersole converted . 14-0 A long clearing kick from Darts was counterattacked by Woods and following a number good solid phases the ball was moved wide for the home winger to score in the corner. 14-5. Although Darts were on top Woods always looked dangerous and when Darts were penalised for joining their totally dominant driving maul from the side the home team kicked for touch. Darts were asleep and a good training ground move saw them score their second try of the game. 14-10. It was game on. Darts put the pressure on again and when they forced a clearing kick they won the line out and another good run from Kernott tied in the defenders and when the ball was released to the backs it found Tom Peryer who had joined the line from the opposite wing to break through and pop a delightful pass inside to NGH who scored. Mothersole again converted. 21-10
The second half started with Woods starting to exert their own pressure but the visitors defence was strong and this kept the home team at bay and it was an absorbing contest with both sides well in the competition. It was clear that the spirit and teamwork in this Demons team is high and this is due to more consistency in selection and training and this is what was keeping the home side away form the try line. Kenny Lee who was having a great match was harshly sin binned for a tip tackle when the tackled player never even left the ground and this made life difficult for darts but they upped their game and tackled and drove harder pushing Woods back into their own half. darts were playing a good game keeping it tight with a man down and eventually it was their driving mauls which resulted in the next score. Darts had forced Woods to concede a penalty and from the line kick Darts took the ball on with a good drive and it was eventually Joe Cary who went over to score. Bradley Roper added the conversion. 28-10 This should have been the game over but the home team showed great team spirit themselves and they forced Darts to concede a number of penalties and this resulted in unneeded pressure and Woods took advantage of this and scored their final try and converted. 28-17.
A very good result for the young Darts team and Lee Kernott and Steve Garrett were outstanding but man of the match went to Kenny Lee.
Thanks to South Woodham Ferrers for lending the team a Hooker as although we had 19 players we had no recognised front row. Great game and look forward to meeting up with them again.