Darts shoot themselves in the foot

An excellent well fought match with players from both sides giving everything to get a win. It was a good start from Darts but too many penalties allowed Aylesford to put the ball back into the Darts 22. A good move between Holly and Ewa saw Darts make some good ground but again it was a penalty that piu play 5 metres from the Darts line and a tap and go saw a strong runner go over with Darts players not attacking the play. 0-5 . Another good run from Holly followed by a great break from Ewa saw Darts advance deep into the visitors half but strong and well organised defence kept Darts out. Both sides were playing well but it was the penalty count that was giving Aylesford easy ground. Another penalty 5 metres from the line and a carbon copy try was scored to extend the lead to 0-10. This really got Darts going and another fabulous move saw Holly race through a gap and race 45 metres but somehow was held up overbthe line. From the 5 metre scrum Millie picked the ball and attaked the line but she was held up. Millie again was held up over the line and it seemed impossible that Darts wouldn't get on the scoreboard Darts changed tack but again they were held up over the line. A penalty was conceded due to the immense pressure Darts were putting on and a quick tap and a pop out to Ewa allowed her to go under the posts but again was held up. Another scrum and this time Millie managed to drive over for the opening try for Darts and score Darts opening try and then Ewa converted. 7-10.
A great break from Lola from the kick off saw play go deep into the opposing 22 but a great clearing kick bounced unluckliy for the visitors and Darts again moved deep into the 22 and from some good driving play Aylesford were on the back foot from which they never recovered and it was Tierney who scored with Ewa converting again. 14-10. From this position it looked like there would be only one winner but Aylesford had diiferent ideas nad they managed to pin Darts deep in their own half and despite all the Darts players putting in tremendous amount of effort they were making too many silly mistakes and when a clearing kick went straight down the middle of the field the counterattack saw Aylesford move the ball wide and score in the corner. and retake the lead 14-15. From a promising attacking position just inside the Aylesford half Darts lost a scum against the head and from this ball the visitors got behing the Darts defence and scored a disappointing try against the home team to extend the lead to 14-22. Darts had many changes during the match with 23 players turning which had some impact on the performance as
players didn't have time to settle into the game but in the end it was a combination of great pressure defence and experienced play from Aylesford and too many mistakes from Darts and all this contributed to the defeat.
Many thanks to all of our girls who played for the opposition during who all gave their all and to Aylesford for coming and giving us a very tough match. Riess made her debut for the team in the centre and did really well and in the first half Talie was excellent at flanker making some great tackles. Millie and Emily D were always at hand ready to take the ball on strongly but theplayer of the match was narrowly won by Emily D who tackled well and won some good turnover ball and was very sharp to get hold of any loose ball.