Late win for Medway hurts Darts

Knowing they had to win Darts set off to Medway confident that their recent form has been good enough to get the result they needed. The opening stages were close but it was Medway who opened the scoring after a couple of mistakes allowed the home side to put pressure on the Darts 22. From a line out the ball went loose but was well picked up by the home back row who cut inside and scored under the posts for the opening converted try. 7-0. Darts then started to get into their game and were moving upfield using a combination of forwards and backs . They managed a number of phases but the defensive organisation from the home side was very good and when they had the ball used their big runners on the inside very well. Darts defensive play has been excellent this season and double tagged these runners closing down the space not allowing the home team to make ground. Both teams had a spell with 14 men following some skullduggery at the breakdown. Darts were now in the ascendancy and this resulted them in getting a penalty which was converted by Mike Briggs. 7-3.
Darts were playing really well but couldn't break down the Medway defence and if a couple of passes had gone to hand could have taken the lead but the perfomance against the wind was very encouraging.
The second half started with Darts continuing in the same fashion putting on huge pressure close to the breakdown with a succession of pick and goes trying to draw in the defenders. This pressure told and Medway gave away a penalty which was taken very quickly by Matt Randall who drove through to the line and a quick recycle saw the ball go out to Alex Vousden who scored in the corner. 7-8. Another goo attack from darts was stopped with a high tackle and Medway saw themselves a man down. Darts were being very patient but were varying their play between forwards and backs and after a period of about 10 phases it was Kenny Lee who went over . Mike Briggs converted. this extended the lead to 7-15.Immediately Medway stepped up and were using some heavy drives by their forwards to drive back at the Darts half but the defence was strong . Eventually a penalty was conceded by darts and when Medway took it quickly Skipper Si Briggs instinctively tackled the runner. the referee had no choice other than give another yellow card which as it was his second turned into a red. This was now going to be tough trying to hold on for 30 minutes a man down but to their credit every player in the team stepped up to the plate and tackled their hearts out. Eventually the pressure told and a break through as the additional player gave Medway momentum they scored a try under the posts to narrow the score to 14-15. Darts even with the man down had great moments of pressure but the odd lack of concentration stopped at least a couple of scores which could have sealed the match. The strong runners continued for Medway and at the death they created the space which the brave Darts defenders couldn't fill and gave the home side the winning score. 19-15. There were many great performances today but Man of the Match went to Matt Randall who was incredible throughout the match both in attack and defence and a great reward for all his work throughout a number of seasons when plagued by injuries.
A great effort by Darts who probably deserved to win the match but all credit to Medway who showed their experience to eke out the win and end Darts hope of a play off place. Congratulations to then for their well deserved League title and we wish the best in London 1 next season.
All the young Darts players excelled today and gave everything and were so close to keeping the play off race going but they now have to prepare for another crack at promotion next season. The team has played some fantastic rugby this season and there is plenty still to come from this team and from the many young players at the club who are striving to compete for 1st team places.