Bonus point win away at Deal

This week Dartfordians took a trip to the seaside, playing Deal & Betteshanger, knowing that with only 4 games left of the regular season nothing less than a bonus point win would keep them in the hunt for second place, Medway were confirmed league winners with their win over Bromley, and the play off place. From the kick off it was clear that the Dartfordians were up for the game as they applied good early pressure asking questions of the Deal defence and despite Deal looking to have the heavier pack it was Dartfordians who appeared to have the upper hand in the early exchanges which allowed the backs to express themselves. As a result when the home concede a kickable penalty Mike Briggs stepped forward to kick the first points of the afternoon. 0-3. From the restart Dartfordians continued to work hard only a lack of accuracy and some resolute home defence kept them at bay, but the play was concentrated inside the Deal half. So when the home side gave away a penalty Mike Briggs stepped up to take the three points on offer. Dartfordians were good value for their 6 point lead. 0-6. Deal know how to use their pitch and as they are fighting to avoid relegation they stirred from their slumbers’ and started to apply pressure of their own. During this period Connor Sutherland was shown a yellow card, but this side once again showed that when their backs are against the wall they never give up, and their try line remained intact, indeed it was Dartfordians who scored next when a well worked move saw Ollie Edwards scamper over for a try and with Mike Briggs adding the extras they held a worthy lead, 0-13. With the half drawing to its conclusion there were two more opportunities to score, firstly Ossi Aro make a good break but could not find that final telling pass and then a few minutes later Joe Wheeler broke through the home defence only to drop the ball with the try line at his mercy, and JV already doing his celebratory dance!!

Half time 0-13, and the chat was keeping composed and more tries would come.

Clearly the point was well made as from the kick off Dartfordians went on the attack, going through the phases which saw Simon Briggs make a half break which was finished off by Ollie Edwards for an unconverted try. 0-18. A just a few minutes later and they were at it again, when turnover ball saw them make a good break up the left wing and some excellent interplay from Liam Brencher, Kieran Ryan and Ollie Edwards, put Liam Brencher over for a try, with Mike Briggs adding the conversion. Lead now 0-25. However as in the first half a yellow card for Simon Briggs gave Deal as sense of hope and an opportunity to apply pressure. For much of this time Dartfordians once again showed good defence but a lapse of concentration saw Deal score a converted try to reduce the lead, and perhaps give themselves a glimmer of hope. Lead 7-25. With numbers restored Dartfordians went on the attack and found themselves camped inside the Deal 22M area. During this period Deal also lost a player to the bin, but were able to relieve the pressure when Dartfordians got pinged at the next scrum for not putting the ball in straight! While most of the final quarter was played in the middle of the pitch, Dartfordians control at scrum time meant that they were able to control much of the play. This pressure was important as when Deal found themselves under pressure on their own try line they tried to run the ball out of defence only for Ollie Edwards to intercept the pass and walk over for the, important, 4th team try which was converted by Mike Briggs. Lead 7-32. With few minutes left in the game Deal manage a late consolation converted try to reduce the deficit. 14-32.

Overall a good performance against a side who are difficult to beat when playing at home and were much changed and improved from the side that lost at Bourne Road earlier in the season. The one down note was Smiler nasty head injury, after colliding with Joe Wheeler, which required him to leaving the field and Cliff offering to take him to hospital. Apparently 5 stiches were required but he should not be out for too long and, quote, has retained his dashing good looks?. In such a tight game and with everyone performed well it was difficult for man of the match but the coaches decided that for his hattrick tries and support play it was awarded to Ollie Edwards.

Thanks to our loyal band of travelling fans. It is always good to see a friendly face on the sideline, especially so far from home.