Darts continue their good form but injuries may hit their prospects

A cold wndy day to welcome Deal up from the coast. and Darts played with the wind in the first half and it was clear it would have an impact on the match. The early play was played totally inside the visitors half the wind making it nigh on impossible to clear the lines. Deal defended really well early on and Darts were finding it tough to get any continuity and make a break through. Deal were trying to run out of defence but Darts were equally as good with their tackling and it seemed only a matter of time before a lineout and the subsequent drive put the home side on the board and it was hooker Jack Hooban who went over to give Darts a 5-0 lead. Deal kicked off and when the ball was recycled a great 50-22 from Jonny Regnier put Darts on the front foot and again it was a solid lineout and good play that put Louis Chapman over for the second try. Ali Barker added the conversion. 12-0. The wind is probably the hardest of conditions to play in but both sides were doing their best to keep playing rugby. Darts set piece was working well and when awarded a scrum just past the 10 metre lin it was very solid and LUke picked up speedily at 8 making ground before popping the ball inside to Jonny who then raced away to score under the posts.Ali Converted 19-0. Unfortunately for Darts Jonny pulled his hamstring in the process of scoring and had to leave the field to be replaced by Mike Briggs . Following on from his MOM performance last week Miles Taylor made a great break from his own 22 breaking through tackles and using his pace to swiftly move inside yje Deal 22 unfortunately his pass was a little awry to Satn Tume who looked as though he was certain to add another score. There was a worry when Jack Hooban had to go off with a cut to his head but was able to continue however this was shortlived when he accidentaly collided with a team mate to clash heads again and received another cutwhich did force him off and end his match. This was the end of the scoring in the first half and the home side may have been concerned that in the conditions that 19 points may not have been enough.
Deal started the half well and used the wind to get into the darts 22 and from then on keep control of the ball which they did well but they were up against some stern tackling from the home side. Young Albert Peters had entered the fray and didnt look out of place in the back row and the same for Ted Rackley who moved into the fron row. Kicking out of defence was not a great option but a couple of kicks cleared the lines but it was quick thinking by Darts when again inside their 22 saw them move the ball wide and Harvey made a great break against an unsuspecting defence. Harvey passed to Briggo who drew the last defence before passing to Elliot who used his strength to score a great team try. 24-0. Darts were now opening up and moving the ball well with Jake coming into the line and it was nearly another try for Elliot but good defence held the line. Any infringement by Darts meant a good line kick from Deal moved play deep into the home half but Darts were confident to run the ball back and and follow another good lineout from Lewis the back line attacked with purpose and it was Elliot who made great ground to take the ball up on the left hand side before it was recycled the other way to Luke who powered his way over for the 5th try. 29-0. Darts had been defending really well when Deal were taking the ball on and Joe Williams was always doing the dirty work along with Dan Sweeney to keep them at bay but unfortunately Joe took one for the team and received a yellow card. This gave Deal a spur and foloowing some sustained they created an overlap for their winger to score in the corner. In the conditions a fantastic conversion fro m the touchline to give afinal score of 29-7 and a bonus point win for Darts.