Darts edge thriller

On a bright sunny Remembrance Sunday Gravesend took to the field hoping to shake off some pretty abject results of late in this North Met Kent Cup PLate Semi-Final. On paper Dartfordians looked a much stronger side but having started brightly the Gravesend forwards were giving the backs plenty of ball. Recent rucking work started to pay dividends and Tyler was able to supply the backs with good quick ball. The early exchanges were even and Darts repelled anything Gravesend could throw at them - in particular the Darts centre left his mark with some solid defence and a couple of bone shuddering tackles.

That said Gravesend almost broke clear when John intercepted a Dartfordian pass only to be hauled down by the full back. That said this proved to be the confidence booster that the boys needed and from that Gs forwards carried the ball well. Christian, Samraj, Ben and forward of the day Harry Knapp all made good in roads into the Darts defence. From one such move the ball was spun wide and after going through several pairs of hands (Levon, Josh, Callum) George Br took the ball and forced his way over. He then stood up to make the conversion and give Gs a deserved 7-0 lead.

As Gs tired and the defensive discipline was lost Darts started to up their game and not once but twice strong runs through the centre saw Gs conced two tries the last of which was on the stroke of half-time ((7-12).

In recent weeks Gs heads would have gone down, not least when early in the second half Darts scored again in what was a repeat of the previous two tries (7-19). Darts looked confident and one sensed more points were to come. To their credit Gs fought back and credit to Alex for his mazy run, Samraj for his never say die attitude and the work rate of teh forwards which set up good field position. Gs forwards then took the ball on through 3 or 4 phases and when the ball ended up in Levon's hands he shipped it out and from 10 yards out George Br muscled his way over to score. (12-19)

With 3 minutes remaining the question was whether Gs could get themselves in another scoring position. The answer was unfortunately no, however as the boys look back on this game they should be really proud of what was their best performance of the season. Onwards now to Tunbridge Wells and the next round of the Kent Cup.