Successful end of season with win against Crowborough

Crowborough were the seasons last visitors to the Memorial ground know they were already relegated but wanting to finish a difficult season off with a win and arrived with a young looking side who were clearly hungry to put a dent into Dartfordians excellent season. The home side themselves showed 5 changes from their efforts at Medway with 18 year old Peter Essien looking to make his first team debut off the bench, and an eventual debut it would be!

On a warm sunny afternoon Crowborough choose to kick off down the slope and its clear from the earlier exchanges that the home side were lacking the intensity of last week, or were Crowborough determine to spoil the end of season party for the home side. The kick off was not dealt with well and finding themselves on the back foot conceded a cheap penalty and the Crowborough kicker, as he had done during the first game of the season, punished the early mistake. Clearly the party spirit had effected both sides as in the next five minutes first the home side took a quick tap penalty, worked through the phases for Matthew Randall to score an unconverted try to take the lead; 5v3. Again the restart was fumbled which allowed Crowborough to gain an advantage and after a period of pressure they retook the lead with an unconverted try, 5 v 8.

After such a fast start the match settled in to pattern which saw Crowborough having plenty of the ball but unable to cross the game line and find that telling final pass. The home side scrum once again demonstrated that their technique was excellent as the continue to put pressure on their counter parts. The lineout was a little far too much stop start but when the home side managed to set up the driving maul they made good ground. But perhaps both sides were guilty of small mistakes which effected the flow of the game?

As the home side, slowly began to get a foot hold in the match they applied good pressure to the Crowborough try line which eventually lead to a yellow card. Almost immediately the pressure was rewarded as Scotchy finished of some good phase play for another unconverted try, 10v8. But the problem at the restarts continued and once again a penalty was conceded and the Crowborough kicker punished the error, 10v11. But the end of season party feeling was still there as the Crowborough defence showed a weakness which the home side exploited which allowed Jonny Regnier to take advantage of to score the teams 3rd try and retake the lead, which was never to be relinquished, 15v11.

Half time 15v11.

Bob's half time speech was plain and direct, control the ball, increase our work rate and tempo and earn the right to go wide. It was clear the players understood what was required because they started the second half with far more tempo and purpose to their game and began to stretch the Crowborough defence, which still was stubborn. But a phase of good hands and support play saw Ollie Edwards go over for the bonus point try, which Jonny Regnier converted. For the first time the team could apply score board pressure, 22v11, the home side were beginning to create gaps, but Crowborough showed good resolve and were able to stop the danger, with the occasional glimpses of their own attacking play.

It was somewhat surprising that there was no further score, perhaps those small errors which had not been there recently were evident today, for a while until some good phase play saw the home side once again knocking at the Crowborough try line, finally Ryan Chandler went over, with Jonny Regnier adding the conversion, 29v11. The home side now had good control but small mistakes stop their good approach play, but the backs found their mojo and some nice hands saw Liam Brencher given space and time to run at his opposite number for a good unconverted try, 34v11.

As the game entered the final quarter Crowborough collect another yellow card and from the scrum the Dartfordians pack got its reward for a great season as they drove Crowborough over their own try line allowing Ryan Chandler to flop on the ball for another unconverted try, 39v11.

With the game entering the final 5 minutes Crowborough worked their way into the Dartfordians half and a chip over the top saw the home side cover beaten by the bounce and Crowborough player who touched down for and unconverted try, 39v11

Having been stung by this score the home side looked to finish the season on a high and with time running out good phase play saw Peter Essien given the ball, and he forced his way over for an unconverted try. Indeed his first three touches were, ball knocked from his grasp when about to score, second touch he came off his wing and was stopped 5m out, third touch he scored; some debut! 44v16

That was the final action of the season.

Crowborough arrived after a tough season already relegated to L3SE, their players wore the shirt with pride and hopefully better times will be ahead for the club and its players. For Dartfordians the win secured 3rd place and, hopefully everyone will agree, a successful season. Statics do not always tell the whole story but this side scored 107 tries and, especially after Xmas, played some excellent rugby. If we were there complete package we would have perhaps won the league, but the signs are very good.

The players, Bob Hussey and his coaching team have worked hard to ensure that on match days we perform to our best, and with the younger players coming through (our 3 wingers today were 21, 21 and 18 so age is no barrier) hopefully the future looks bright. We said last year people would be looking at this team and what they can achieve, if they did not take note last season the surely will be looking closely now? Hopefully success breeds success, but importantly the time has played rugby in a way that while winning has excited the supporters.

To the club, its supporters, the physio team, Steve Taylor for the food and Keith's bar staff; a big thank you for being there from all the senior players; those that have had the privilege of playing 1s, the Demons, Angels, Saints and SInners.