Great end to the League season for Darts

Darts entertained Dover for their final league match of the season and with great conditions the crowd were expecting an entertaining match and hoping for a win to guarantee 2nd place behind Canterbury who were playing our rivals for second spot Beccehamians. The team didnt disappoint and started with a bang when securing good ball moved it into midfild where Louis Chapman went over under the posts. Jarlath converted. 7-0. Darts continued to look in control depite the fact that Dover were tackling really well and using their forwards to batter their way forward really unsettling the home side. This didn't deter Darts who from a lineout produced a great back move to see Jonny take the ball through a gap before passing to Elliot who ran into the corner from 15 metres. 12-0. If the home crown thought this was going to be a walk in the park they were mistaken with Dover pack really taking the game to Darts forcing penalties. From one of these Dover kicked for the corner and from a decent lineout they drove the ball on and scored a well worked try and add the conversion. 12-7. The match was nip and tuck now with neither side really getting into any rythmn but some good pressure from Darts saw a numbers of strong drives close to the try line but equally good defence eventually forced an error from from the home side allowin g Dover to clear their lines. Half time cam with the match finely balanced.
The second half started in much the same way with the aggression of the Dover pack and their quick movement of the ball wide putting them slightly in the ascendency but then Ted Rackley took over producing a great drive which took out a number of defenders. This was followed by further drives putting Darts on the front foot getting behind the Dover defence and when the ball was moved to the right Louis agin waa given the ball and using his pace and a numbers of dummies went over from 35 metres. 17-7. This really sparked darts into action and they looked far more comfortable and another try was nearly forthcoming when a chip into the corner just bounced badly for Elliot and the threat was over with Darts just earning a lineout. The lineout was working well and the ball was moved to the centre where Ted was positioned and proceeded to charge through numerous defenders and when too many were committed Darts moved the ball to the blind side. Jarlath accelerated through the gap before drawing the last defender and popping inside for Harvey to go over near the posts. Jarlath converted. 24-7. This earned Darts the bonus point and only needd one more to secure their 2nd spot. Ted seemed to be relishing things and had a few more really telling runs which the Dover defence were finding hard to handle. Dover were strong to the end though and for the last 5 minutes were camped 5 metres from the Darts try line. Drive after drive were repelled by Darts who produced some of their best tackling and defence of the season working incredibly hard tp protect their line to the final whistle.
An intriguing match without being spectacular but there were good moments from both teams who put everything into game and Darts scored some really good tries and achieved their aim of 2nd spot in the league despite a fantastic effort from Beccehamians who thrashed Canterbury 63-0. and had themselves a great season.
Congratulations to all the players, coaches and physios for a fantastic effort throughout the season and lets look forward to the Papa Johns cup match against KCS next weekend.

bonus point