A great display against a tough side continues Darts unbeaten run

Darts rivalry against Charlton Pk continued in what was an important match for both teams following some great results and it was expected to be a tough physical game. Unusually darts probably entered the match as slight favourites but the visitors were viewing this as one of their toughest games of the season. As expected Charlton Park had a big set of forwards and the visitors were looking at an afternoon of hard tackling close to the breakdown. The match started with both sides playing at a fast pace and it was pretty even although the first scrum looked ominous for Darts but they settled down to their task in a strong and organised and manner. Many teams have underestimated the small Darts pack but they have responded at every asking and today's match was no exception. Darts moved the ball quickly and although they could have kept things a bit tighter this pattern of play stretched the home team and got their big forwards running from early on. Darts opened the scoring when an infringement midfield allowed Jonny Regnier to slot the penalty. 0-3. The Darts scrum was now working really well and their technical skills were coming top the fore and from one scrum the ball was moved wide and it was Joe Scott who scored the first try. Jonny converted. 0-10. Park hit back with a penalty to close the gap but Darts were looking quite comfortable. 3-10. Darts had a chance to extend their lead and from a fantastic period of play it looked like they had scored a superb try via Joe Scott again but a toe in touch denied the score.

In the second half Charlton Park tried everything to get a score and they put together a ten minute spell when they went through phase after phase but the defence held firm until a finely judged kick was put behind the Darts defence and it looked like a score however for a reason that bemused all supporters it was not given. Luck was on Darts side.Darts were now on the defence and a yellow card was issued to skipper Si Briggs and this was the start of a real test for the league leaders. Darts have been superb in defence all season and this was a chance to show their ability again and they did so with great spirit skill and teamwork. When the home side couldn't find a way through the middle they tried to move the ball wide and Ollie Edwards was alert to the danger and intercepted the pass, raced to the other end of the field and following 3-4 phases the defence was disorganised and Jonny went over under the posts to score a try the he then converted. 3-17. Park were not intimidated by this and went straight back on the attack and made great use of their extra man and kept the ball close and eventually Darts ran out of numbers to enable the home side to get their first try. 8-17. Another yellow card this time for Sam Cooksley meant Darts had to endure another period a man down but this didn't seem to bother them and they kept on the front foot. Darts were really working well in the set and putting the big Park pack under real pressure and one scrum totally disrupted the home pack. and after some slick play the ball was neatly popped to Luke Golding who went over for another converted try. Darts continued to keep control of the match and a penalty from Jonny sealed the result. 8-27. The home side then received a yellow card and for the final ten minutes worked tirelessly to get the bonus point try but as we have come to expect from Charlton Park they never gave up and their defence was outstanding and even when Darts did eventually go over it was deemed a forward pass.
A great performance again from Darts against a really good Charlton Park team who perhaps just couldn't quite match the speed and athleticism of the young Darts players . The cornerstone of Darts success this season has been their defensive structure which was again today outstanding however the performance couldn't have happened without the superb effort in the forwards and especially the scrum where Darts were outstanding. There were many great performances and a number of players could have been given the Man of the Match but Head Coach Bob Hussey had no doubt that it should go to Alex Vousden who was outstanding against one of the leagues top props Terry Reid.
A rest week next week ahead of yet another hard match at home against Horsham against whom we have had many very tight encounters and who have hit some great form in recent weeks.