Dartfordians Mens 1s Lose a Nail Biting Papa John's Match.

On a warm April Saturday, the Papa John's competition got underway following the completion of the RFU leagues and Dartfordians RFC travelled away to KCS Old Boys, a side that have played over the years when both were in a higher league. Dartfordians squad included some debutants and were looking to blood some new players in the cup competition. All 22 played well and stood up in a game that went back and forth with some missed tackles and drops off in concentration, by both sides, helping to build the entertainment for the supporters from both sides.

KCS, who finished 5th in Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex started the game at pace and put Darts under heaps of pressure leading to a missed penalty kick for the home side, but this error was soon made good when the home side went 7-0 up with a converted try. This try seemed to kick Darts into life and they battled back with Jake Taylor scoring the try and Jarlath Hetherington converting to get the game back to all square. Both sides were now trying to play rugby and entertain the crowd, but it was KCS who were to break the deadlock and go into half time 12-7 to the good.

Darts certainly knew they were in a game and needed half time to take a breather and get some liquids back on board given the high pace of the game on the hottest day of 2024 so far. From the off Darts pushed on and were awarded a penalty try following a great break down the left hand side was illegally squashed. So 12-14 it was, but the try scoring from both sides was far from over.
KCS scored the next two tries and looked to be opening a gap, 24-14 in front. Both sides continued to be moving the ball well and playing some great rugby, at pace and ESG decided that he would take the game by the scruff of the next and scored 2 tries of his own after a couple of chip and chases, bringing Darts back to 24-24. The game was set for a great finale and Dartfordians pushed to get the win without the need for injury time with Charlie Williams scoring on debut and getting the visitors into what appeared to be a winning position at 24-29.
However, KCS were not done and put Darts under a lot of pressure to force a couple of 5 metre penalties, but the Darts defence remained resolute and then forced a knock on by KCS. Win the scrum and then get the ball out and surely the win was for the taking.....KCS had other ideas and won a penalty at the scrum. They took the penalty quickly and went over to make it 29-29, with the conversion to win the game to come - it was the last play of the game and KCS kicked it successfully to go through to the next round 31-29......A great game, played in a good spirit with both sides giving their all.

A game too far for the visitors, but a great performance and some new faces blooded into 1st team rugby to close out a truly successful 100th Anniversary season - COYD!!!!!