Dartfordians 1s
Matches
Sat 11 Nov 2017  ·  London 2 South East
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Dartfordians 1s
Tries: L Brencher, K LeeConversions: M BriggsPenalties: M Briggs (2)
18
13
Dover
Another win in a tough battle against Dover

Another win in a tough battle against Dover

Dave Phillips11 Nov 2017 - 21:28
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Darts entertained Dover having rearranged the fixture due to Armistice Day

Darts entertained Dover having rearranged the fixture due to Armistice Day. The visitors got off to a great start and moved the ball quickly and slickly in the backs whilst using their forwards well to keep good control of the ball and this effort earn't them a penalty whichallowed to push play deep into the Darts 22. Dover continued to be in the ascendancy with play that belied their league position and it took a turnover to allow Darts to clear their lines. It was an interesting match with Dover playing really well and Darts not really reaching the level of play we have seen so far this season. Darts were making far too may elementary mistakes allowing the visitors keep the pressure on. Darts did eventually get into the Dover half but again lost the ball and Dover moved the ball into the Darts half and after numerous phases there was a mismatch out wide and their winger went over in the corner to take the lead. 0-8. Darts were their own worst enemies continually being penalised and eventually this was punished when Dover extended their lead via a penalty. 0-8. This was probably the toughest half of rugby Darts have faced this season and they just couldn't put more than a couple of phases together and this combined with some great teamwork from Dover meant that the home supporters were feeling quite worried that the unbeaten season would come to an end. With only 8 minutes to go to half time Darts at last put some their best play into the game and keeping the ball close put immense pressure on the Dover line. The defence was really solid but Darts were keeping control of the ball and being patient and although they had a player binned Dover looked like they would hold out until halftime the pressure told and another penalty was given in front of the posts. This was going to be the last play of the half and Sam Cooksley stepping in as captain in place of the missing Si Briggs chose the three points which were duly given by Mike Briggs. 3-8.
That score was really a momentum changer and Darts started the second half really well and straight from the kick off they re won the ball and went through 15 or more phases moving the ball through forwards and backs before releasing Liam Brencher who went over in the corner. Mike Briggs converted from wide out. 10-8. Dover continued to show great character skill and commitment to the cause and were again making things uncomfortable for Darts however this half the home side were a lot happier in their work and kept the visitors between the 10 metre lines and the visitors were moving the ball more laterally than in the first half. The Dover back three were dangerous with the ball counterattacking but were not getting as much ball in space as earlier in the match. It was down to a forward battle and Dover kept driving on But Darts held out and eventually went on the attack again themselves and forced Dover deep into their own half. A penalty was forced and Darts kicked to the corner and the drove the ball over the line with Kenny Lee scoring to extend their lead to 15-8. Dover were not finished and they came back at the home team again and it was their turn to force a penalty which was kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout Dover drove over in the corner. 15-13. This was now a real test for the home side but they responded incredibly well and were very clinical in keeping hold of the ball and keep play inside the Dover half and when the visitors infringed Mike Briggs stepped up and slotted the penalty to give Darts a hard fought win 18-13.
This was a very tough match and Dover will be tremendous opponents for every team in the league if they keep up this type of performance and Darts were relieved to come away with their unbeaten record intact and this was down to their great belief in their ability and strong team spirit.
Man of the match went Luke Golding

Match details

Match date

Sat 11 Nov 2017

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

London 2 South East

League position

1
Dartfordians
7
Dover
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