Tough day for Darts at Crowborough

Darts struggled to get any cohesion with a much changed side on a bright sunny day against a lively side at Crowborough. Both sides started well and it was evenly matched but a good greak by Jarlath put pressure on the home team and from a penalty Darts tried to get their driving maul going from the lineout but it was the crowborough lineout who won the ball. The Darts scrum looked dominant and put great pressure
Crowborough but good defence kept Darts out but eventually from a good drive the ball was moved left to Jonny who drew his defender before passing to Elliot and then kept in support to score an excellent try. 0-5. Unfortunately the lead was shortlived and when Darts conceded a penalty for holding onto the ball the ball was kicked to the corner. Crowborough's lineout was performing well and they took the ball and their driving maul disrupted the Darts defence ans when the ball was moved to the backs they scored a converted try to take the lead. 7-5. Darts were working hard but with so many changes it was difficult and combined with strong Crowborough play there were too many simple mistakes.
However a great period pf play saw the home side concede a penalty and the drive from the resulting lineout gave Darts space and and great
delayed pass from Jarlath saw him pop a shoulder ball to Jonny to go over from 20metres unopposed Jarlath Converted. 7-12. Unfortunately Jonny had to leave the field with an injured arm and was replaced by 18yearold Stan Tume making his senior 1st team debut. Good pressure from Crowborough saw them repeatedly attack close to the line and eventually they took a quick tap penalty to score under the posts and convert. 14-12. This was a tough period for Darts as they were trying to reorganise their back line and it was the young impressive home fly half who saw a gap sold a great dummy and went over under the posts without a hand on him. 21-12. Clement Ola also making his debut made some good runs breaking through the defence but Crowborough were quicker to the breakdown and Darts couldnt take advantage of the space.
The second half started and it was Darts who were on the front foot and were putting great pressure on the home side and had were combining forwards and backs to good effect but the visitors lineout and breakdown play were not up to recent levels and various opportunities went missing. The confidence was evident in the home side with a 9 point lead to hold onto and they managed to disrupt 3-4 good lineout drives not allowing Darts to get good control. Eventually Crowborough made the mistake that allowed darts to take advantage of. A good clearing kick down the centre of the field was fielded by Darts but the kick chase wasn't strong accross the field and this allowed Darts to run the ball back A great run Miles Taylor who then offloaded and following 4 or more offloads it wasElliot who scored a fine try. Jar Converted. 21-19. The pressure was now really on and darts sensed an opportunity to win the match. Pressure saw Crowborough conceded a penalty in front of the posts and it looked like Darts would take the opportunity to take the lead but instead went for the lineout which unfortunately was lost when the impressive home lineout stole the ball. Some late pressure from the home side but the score remained the same and it was a great win for the home side whose efforts throughout the match gave them the points. One that got away for Darts but a a deserved win for Crowborough.