Darts great run comes to an end at Haywards Heath

Darts travellled to Haywards Heath for their third successive tough away fixture. Having secured the title last week at Hove darts were now looking to try and finish the remaining three matches unbeaten. The match started well for Darts when they created a couple of good scoring chances but the home defence was standing firm. Eventually after they went through a number of good phases drawing in the defence the ball was passed in to the space created to skipper si Briggs who scored the first try. 0-5. It was clear that Darts weren't as sharp and clinical as they have been in previous matches and were turning over a lot of ball. From one of these turnovers Heath moved the play deep into the Darts 22 and when the visiting defence was disorganised they had an easy score unopposed under the posts. The conversion gave Heath the lead 7-5. Darts hit back moving play into the opposing half but the home defence continued to perform really well and in fact despite both teams trying to play expansive rugby it was the defences who were on top. Finally it was the home side that broke first and it was Louis Chapman who went over in the corner when the Darts had drawn in all the defenders and left acres of space out wide. 7-10. This was a match that could go either way but the worrying aspect for darts was their inability to keep hold of the ball and were sometimes too cavalier against a well organised and strong defence.

The second half started well for darts keeping early control but again when they lost control of the ball it was the home side who pounced and moved deep into the Darts 22. Although it appeared that the ball had been dropped over the line the try was awarded to give the lead again. 12-10. By now it was looking a bit ominous for Darts as the home team appeared to be quicker around the park and on the ball as well as showing greater physicality and a combination of these provided the next score in the form of a penalty. 15-10. Darts have been in this position before this season and had the reserves to find an answer to the problems however today they couldn't get back into the match.They were trying hard against a far bigger side and the troubles got worse when Matt Randall was yellow carded. The penalty was kicked to the corner and from the lineout drive Darts were pushed back and after a couple of further tight drives a further score for Heath. 22-10. Another lost ball in midfield saw the impressive Heath No 9 kick deftly into the corner and again it was the homeside who got to the ball first to score another converted try. 29-10 Darts were trying as hard as they could but following a no arms high tackle on skipper Si Briggs retaliation by Sam Cokksley saw him red carded. The team kept trying right to the end but this was not to be their day and as well as the defeat a few more injuries rubbed salt into the wound.
A well deserved win for Haywards Heath which shows that on any day teams can beat any other team. Darts were disappointed to lose but it has still been a terrific season and to lose against a big physical side whose line speed in defence was the catalyst for their win was no disgrace.
The travelling supporters were entertained royally for lunch prior to the match and had a great time thanks to the fantastic hosts and we will miss visiting them next season.
Player of the match was Joe Scott who never stopped trying at full back counterattacking really every time he had the ball in hand.