Another great performance from Darts U18 girls

Darts travelled to Tunbridge Wells full of confidence following their win at Dorking. Although TW were short of players we had enough to make two even sides and the game started with great anticipation. It was great to see that our girls in the first half, Georgia, Chloe, Rebecca and Megan were all willing to play for the opposition and all put in a great effort on behalf of TW. It was TW who opened the scoring with a well taken try as Darts were just a bit slow off the mark but immediately the team hit back when following some great forward play Ellie took the ball on the 22 and jinked her way through the TW defence and scored a great individual try. Darts were driving the ball well in the forwards with Eleanour ,Jess and Georgia P all taking the ball on well and the rucking technique was excellent. In open play Darts also were able to rely on BK , Karis and Saf to make the hard yards using pace and power to great effect. Another score was looming and it came to BK who used her great strength to break through the first tackle and then use her speed to go over for Darts second try. Emily stepped up and converted. Darts were looking confident and the ball was moving through the hands well with Emily being the general at fly half and Lizzie and Cecilia working really well together in the centre tackling really well when TW's dangerous runners had the ball. Phoebe back from Injury was playing her first full match on the wing but only had a few chances to show her pace but showed no fear in the contact area although may have been a bit surprised at the quality of her best friend Geogia's tackle. Darts had another score when Saf who was also making her first appearance when on a rampaging run down the wing and raced through the TW defence to score. TW were on the scoreboard again when following a series of attacks they were given a penalty which they took quickly to go over from 10 yards.TW looked dangerous when they had the ball but Darts were defending well and a couple of good tackles from Pip stopped any danger. Darts continued to put some good phase play together and another great break from BK saw her scythe her way through the opposition and it looked an odds on bet that she would score but an unbelievable tackle from TW stopped her short of the line. It was however inevitable that a score would come as Darts rampaged forward onto the loose ball and eventually it was Lizzie who went over to score. Lara who was captain for the day in place of Lola who was taken ill was doing what she does so well taking the ball on at the opposition with strong drives and this kept Darts on the front foot. Melissa was playing her first match at full back which is a daunting position at the best of times but handled the opposition kicks well ensuring that we kept control of the ball. Karis continued her improvement and was running with ball strongly and tackling everything that moved. All in all the team were functioning really well together as a team especially with players making their debuts and playing out of their normal positions showing how far they have developed both individually and collectively.

In the second half Phoebe, Eleanor,Pip and Georgia P took over duties for TW and as with the girls in the first half all put everything into the game despite playing against their team mates. Darts were on the attack again and a combination of strong driving in the forwards and an offloading game that our first team would be proud of were soon moving up the field again. Following a great phase of play the ball passed out to Georgia who on her debut scored a lovely try. Darts then had a period of play when they lost a little of thei r structure and this allowed TW to put the pressure but great defence from all of the Darts players kept them out for a time but then a crack appeared in the defence and TW scored. Very quickly TW came back again at the visitors and again their good runners were able to breach the defence to score again. The score was a lot closer than Darts fancied but lead on by Lara took the ball forward and she pulled her team with her and Megan Rebecca and Jess continued to take the ball at TW allowing BK, Karis and Saf to have room to take the ball on outside. With Ellie again another making her first match at scrum half it was who Lara was rewarded with a try when she drove over strongly. TW weren't finished and they scored another try again using their fast strong wide runners well. While defending close to their line TW chose to kick wide to their impressive skipper who had great skills and pace but Chloe and Lizzie combined to stop the threat and when the ball went loose Cecilia picked it up and ran in from 20 yards to score.
This was a great match for both teams who I am sure all got a great deal out of the match with it providing a great opportunity for our girls to gain match experience ahead of our Cup match against Cobham next weekend. It was difficult to single out a player for player of the match as the entire squad were very impressive and all gave their utmost throughout the match. All the girls playing their first full match did brilliantly and those playing out of [position will have learnt a lot which will benefit them in the future. In the end player of the match went to Saf who on her debut scored a try ,tackled really well and was always a danger with the ball in hand.
Well done to the entire team for their efforts,the last two wins are a reward for their hard work at training each week. Thanks to all the parents who have shown great support for the girls and thanks for TW for their hospitality and their great efforts and sportsmanship on the field.
Next week we are at home to Cobham kick off 1.00pm meet at the club at 12.00.