Another away win to take Darts into second place

After last weeks local derby we travelled to Horsham knowing that history between the two sides suggests a close tough encounter, we were not to be disappointed.
From the kick off Darts looked like they were once again ready for a tough encounter as we dealt with the kick off and drew an early penalty from the home side. Darts early pressure was good, with an dominate early scrum, which was to repeated throughout the game, its was clear that everyone was up for the encounter. So after such early pressure Darts, and with the home side once again being penalised Will Peters step up to put early points on the board, 0-3. However as in recent encounter it was not long before the home side showed their offensive game which demands respect as Darts were punished for a lapse in concentration in defence conceding a converted try, 7-3. This clearly inspired the young Horsham side who after a few minutes added a penalty to extend their lead 10-3.
The usual suspects were working hard at the contact area which was key to Darts keeping the home side on the back foot as they gave a way a series of penalties, while building the pressure. So from a lineout Darts went to work showing good hands from forwards and backs, when a move was finished off by Jake Taylor, conversion added by Will Peters, levelling the scores 10-10. Both sides were finding it hard to keep on the good side of the referee at the breakdown but the home side gave away a series of quick penalties from which Darts correctly called up Will Peters to extend their score, 10-13. Martin Ryan and Liam Bowmer were working overtime fielding the restarts, with the rest of the pack working hard to ensure the ball was secured allowing Darts to relieve the pressure. When Horsham did manage field position the Darts defence was working hard to keep them a bay. After a series of penalties the referee sent a Horsham player to the bin for a 10 minute breather, sensing this was a key moment Darts look to take full advantage, and only stubborn defence kept out an number of attacker, but another penalty allowed Will Peters t further extend the lead 10-16. With the Darts set play, scrums and lineouts, working well it was hoped to extend the lead but stubborn home defence meant half time was reached at 10-16.

The half time break clearly worked for Horsham as the came out of the blocks fast and after a series of phases were hammering at he Darts try line and from a ruck the Darts defence did not come up straight allowing the Horsham attacker to go over from close range for a unconverted try, 15-16. This side is clearly made of strong stuff as from the kick off they once again draw the penalty and Will Peters calmly added the 3 points to extend the lead, 15-19. In a tight game the home side penalty count was beginning to cost them on the score board. With both sides looking for the next score a scrum within the Horsham half produced decent ball and with Danny Taylor taking it blind he found Liam Brencher who beat the home defence for a try, with the conversion added by Will Peters, 15-26 lead meant for the first time there was clear day light on the score board for one side. This was almost immediately added to as the home side ill discipline cost them another Will Peters penalty, 15-29. However in keeping with recent encounters the side behind on the score board came out fighting and with Darts losing a player to a yellow card for a penalty in the red zone, Horsham took advantage to score another converted try, 20-29. Then came the "match defining moment", Darts set up a good attack up the left wing moving the ball well, when Liam Brencher was tackle and the ball offload, the tackler kept hold of his legs bring a reaction which meant the referee issued a red card. Its was defining as once again the Darts side had to show its resolve in playing out the remainder of the game a man down. While absorbing the pressure they once again showed attack is the best form of defence as continued to play positive rugby, which resulted in the home side conceding two further Will Peters penalties which extended the lead to 20-35. Horsham never stopped trying and with the game going deep into injury time the mounted one last attack which, after a number of phases, finally stretched the Darts defence allowing them to score out wide for a converted try, with the last play of the game 27-35.

Horsham came away with a try bonus point, contributing the usual tough encounter these two sides have provided to their fans over the last three years. Darts came away with the victory. In doing so they showed how they are growing up, by taking the penalty points on offer they kept the score board pressure on the home side. A number of players deserve mention; Will Peters having a day with the boot kickers dream to ensure we came away with points when they were offered, the back row tackled everything that moved, the front 5 dominated the scrum and our lineout worked well, the backs continue to look dangerous and only a stubborn home defence kept them out. However for his work rate in defence and a number of good strong runs the coaching staff voted Jake Taylor as their man of the match.

Hopefully our suffering head coach has recovered from the plan B exit strategy used during the game, question posed "what to do with a defensive 5m scrum when under pressure"; if you are this Darts backline the correct answer is run it out of your 22m of course! Headcoach was last heard shouting "EXIT STRATEGY" before being carried away under heavy sedation!

To our very loyal band of fans once again the players appreciate their support; its good to look to the side lines and see familiar faces of encouragement. Thank you.