From the jaws of victory

Darts entertained Thurrock in their first home match of the season and were expecting another tough encounter. Darts started really brightly and were immediately on the scoreboard when pressure forced a penalty which was converted by Jonny. Straight from the kick off a good clearing kick gave the home team chance to put pressure on again and their driving maul was dominant and another penalty given This allowed Darts to use their pods to great advantage and the conti uity play kept the visitors out of the game. Darts dominant forwards were backed up by the backs who were looking sharp and when a quick tap pen took play close to the Thurrock line Darts were awarded another pen . They opted for a 5 metre scrum and when Luke took the ball on well this created the opportunity for numerous drives and under another pen advantage it was Jamie Clifford who went over for the first try. 8-0. Darts continued to pressure and with a strong weapon in the driving maul play was predomoinantly deep in the visitors half, a great break by Joe Scott took the ball to within 5 metres and only a pen stopped another try. A good lineout saw darts drive on and another pen advantage gave the home side the opportunity to move the ball in the backs and after numerous phases it was Luke who went over in the corner 13-0. Darts defence was looking strong keeping any Thurrock attacks at bay and when another pen was conceded Darts were able to clear the lines. Thurrock then produced their first period of concerted play and by using big runners in midfield they created space out wide to eventually create some space to score a good try out wide. 13-5
Darts started the second well with again strong defence which forced another pen so they could clear the lines and put the visitors under pressure again. A great move from the lineout saw the Darts backs open up and it was Joe Scott who scored in the corner. 18-5. Darts were in complete control at this stage of the match and the pinned the visitors back in their own half with good box kicks and strong chases which didn't allow Thurrock any space. A good kick through was well chased and the visitors never cleared their lines and in the end it was Paddy Briggs who scored the bonus point try which was converted by Jonny. 25-5. At this stage their didnt seem to be any other winner with the home side looking comfortable but it was a lack of ball control which gave Thurrock easy ball which they used with pace and from distance their winger raced into score a converted try. 25-12. Darts were still keeping good control of the ball but not quite to the extent of earlier in the match. A loose pass was picked up by the Thurrock winger deep in his own half and he raced away and despite being well tackled by Joe Scott on the 22 a pen was conceded and this was quickly moved for anotherv converted try. 25-19. It was game on but it still seemed that Darts had the ammunition to win the match but they lead to their own downfall with a soft peanalty and a loose ball which gave Thurrock the encouragement to score their bonus point try and the lead 25-26. Darts needed something to go their way and a big clearance kick looked like it had taken play 75 metres upfield but a wicked bounce saw the ball roll dead and it was a scrum back deep in Darts half. It wasn't over yet as pressure from Darts gave them a penalty which was narrowly missed from 45 metres. Darts continued to work hard and with the last kick of the match another pen was again narrowly wide which would have given Darts a win that they probably deserved having dominated play for 65 minutes.
It was a great match and credit to Thurrock who never gave up when under the cosh and showed clinical finishing with the very few chances they had. Darts will be happy with the performance if not with the result especially with hard start to league campaign they have had and if they keep this spirit determination and great team playb the results will sonn come.
Another tough match next week away to title contenders Camberley.