Darts Don't Take Chances in Loss to Thurrock....

Darts headed across the river to take on old foes, Thurrock RFC, in the return L1S league fixture.

From the kick off Darts started well with Kieran Ryan picking up a loose ball before passing out to Joe Scott who attacked down the left wing, creating some nervousness in the Thurrock defence and leading to a penalty to Darts in the home sides 22. Darts went for a line out, but lost the ball and Thurrock cleared the danger - Darts attached again after some patient build up play going through several phases, but a penalty went the home sides way and they again cleared their lines. For the first 10 mins both sides tried to punch holes with both defences staying on top, but Thurrock were awarded a penalty on the Darts 10 yard line, kicked for touch and won their line out in the visitors 22 - after several phases they went over for the first try of the game which was converted 7-0. Darts continued to press and won a scrum penalty on the half way line and Mike Briggs kicked for touch resulting in a lineout on Thurrocks 5 yard line. Darts just couldn't get over the gain line and had continued penalties in their favour, but just couldn't take their chance - they look to be clear after more patient phases, but had the ball stripped whilst in the Thurrock 22 and the home side kicked the ball to Darts 10 yard line. Thurrock were pushing again, but good cover play by Ashley Hadler led to a 5 yrd scrum in Thurrock's favour. As, throughout the game, Darts pressured the home sides scrum, but they managed to keep the ball and recycle it to score their 2nd try and lead 14-0, completely against the run of play with the home side fans saying as much. Joe Wheeler sustained an injury in the 33 min and had to be replaced, but once again Darts pushed to gain a score with Sam Allen breaking away - he just couldn't get the pass away to Joe Scott - another chance missed and from a scrum Thurrock kicked the ball from their own 10 to the Darts 10. Thurrock recovered the ball, broke down the Darts right and scored their 3rd try right on half time - HALF TIME score 21-0 to the home side, with Darts having a high percentage of the game in terms of possession, but they just couldn't get over the home sides line and each time Thurrock got in to the Darts 22 they scored.

Darts kicked off the second half and nearly recovered the ball, but from the knock on Thurrock cleared. Darts, looking to get back in the game, were passing under pressure and an interception in the Darts 22 led to the home side scoring again, a real kick in the teeth for the visitors - 28-0 after 43 mins. Darts heads didn't drop and they won a penalty on their 22 and kicked to the Thurrock 10 and after winning the lineout they were patient in their phase play and eventually Liam Brencher went over for the visitors first try, with Mike Briggs adding the conversion - 28-7...COYD!!!! However, Thurrock came back hard and following some good inter play went 33-7 up on 55 mins and then not long after killed the game with another try on 58 mins - 40-7. Darts heads didn't go down and they continued to keep bashing away and showing great pride in the shirt. They had a lineout on the Thurrock 5 yrd line, which they won, but an infringement by the home side led to the first yellow of the game and lead to Kenny Lee scoring a try and Mike Briggs converting - 40-14 (65 mins). Tom Duggan left the field with an injury and Thurrock received a further yellow with Kenny Lee going over again and Mike Briggs converting 40-21. Less than seven minutes to go now and Darts were looking for at a least a bonus point, but the game was getting scrappy with Darts trying to run everything, with Thurrock defending well. Darts just couldn't get through and the final whistle went with the final score being 40-21. Thurrock took their chances and were strong in defence, whilst Darts worked tirelessly until the end, but just missed out on scoring at really important times in the game. They showed great heart and will need to keep up the effort to the end of the season....COYD!!!!!