Dartfordians 1s
Matches
Sat 04 Nov 2017  ·  London 2 South East
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Dartfordians 1s
Tries: R Chandler, S Briggs, O Edwards (2), L BrencherConversions: M Briggs (2)Yellow Carded: M Randall, S Cooksley
29
22
Hove
Darts come through their toughest task this season

Darts come through their toughest task this season

Dave Phillips4 Nov 2017 - 21:16
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This was a top of the table clash

This was a top of the table clash against a Hove side who battled to a fine win last week against Beckenham. The home side knew this would be a tough encounter against a team who last season showed they could score from anywhere on the field with fast moving backs and only needed to add more physicality to their game to challenge for top spot. Strong tackling early on from the visitors saw them force an early penalty which was taken quickly by their excellent full back who dropped a goal to take the lead, 0-3. Darts won the ball from the kick off and following some good play the ball was moved wide inside the Darts 22 to Liam Brencher who used the space well to make good ground into the Hove half before passing to Kenny Lee who took the ball on before releasing Ryan Chandler who scored darts first try. 5-3. Darts continued to keep good control of the ball by taking it in close while continuing to use their backs to good effect. Another long pass again created space and saw the home team enter the Hove half which then forced the visitors to concede a penalty. From the resulting lineout Darts took the ball on and when skipper Si Briggs was given the ball he weaved his way through the defence to score a try which was converted by his brother Mike. Hove hit back and put pressure on the home side and they narrowly missed a penalty. The Hove scrum was strong and they took a ball against the head and made good ground. Despite going through in excess of 10 phases and making 20 metres the strange advantage law saw them taken back fro a penalty which they kicked for touch. Following the lineout they drove the ball well and after numerous phases they completely outnumbered the Darts defence out wide with a very well taken try. 12-8. Hove looked like they had gained the momentum but the Darts defence was extremely sound and a penalty allowed them to clear the lines. Further great play with some great offloading saw them create gaps in the Hove defence and this allowed Ollie Edwards to ghost through to score Darts thrid try which was also converted by Mike Briggs. 19-8. The game was a fantastic display of rugby at London 2 level with both sides going hammer and tong against each other and it looked like Darts were going to extend their lead further when Connor Sutherland was seemingly high tackled 2 metres from the line. Hove kept up their high tempo game and moved the ball really well and when their left wing received the ball out wide he did well to beat two defenders before popping a pass inside to their centre who scored and close the gap with their second try. 19-5. Supporters from both sides were enjoying this extremely absorbing match and Darts had to be on top form . They did play the ball well with their offloading game with support players always at hand and after Jake Taylor, standing in at full back, made some great ground with his mazy running style it was the forwards who after 6-7 phases created the gap for Ollie to score his second try. 24-15.
The second half started as in the same way as the first with both sides playing some great expansive rugby but it was Darts who were looking the stronger with their pack regaining the ascendancy but Hove were defending well. The vagaries of the advantage law were apparent when a knock on by Hove was picked up by Darts 10 metres back and although they never made any ground play was waved on when they lost the ball which the visitors took great advantage of and forced their way to the line and score a converted to take the score to 24-22. Hove smelt blood and went on the attack again and saw their advantage helped when Sam Cooksley was sin binned for a rash tackle. Darts had to draw on all their reserves to keep Hove out and it was a fantastic effort but it seemed they were being penalised at every turn. The home side had to keep their discipline as Hove were were making a tremendous effort to win the match. Darts defence was awsome at this time and their lineout and scrum were on top form winning ball against the throw in the lineout and disrupting the Hove scrum. When they put huge pressure on the Hove midfield attack the ball was dropped and Ollie kicked on. Liam Brencher then picked up the loose ball and with a moment of brilliance went round the defence to score in the corner. Mike Briggs hit the post with conversion. 29-22. This knocked some of the fight out of the visitors who although still trying to get back into the match couldn't break through. A great turnover by Alex Vousden finally broke the Hove attacks and Darts ended up with a tough bonus point win.
An extremely tough match against the best side Darts have faced this season who will be up there at the end of the season vying for promotion and they will play worse and win matches this season. A great display by Darts who continue to show great team spirit and determination and a continued strong defensive display saw them through. Peter Essien coming in on the wing and Jake Taylor drafted in at full back both played well and the team was brilliantly led by skipper Si Briggs who had to move from flanker to centre when Connor was injured but player of the match went to both second rows Kenny Lee and Ryan Chandler who were strong at set piece and were everywhere around the park taking the ball on and offloading brilliantly in contact.

Match details

Match date

Sat 04 Nov 2017

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

London 2 South East

League position

1
Dartfordians
2
Hove
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