Dartfordians RFC VS Bromley RFC

BROMLEY AND DARTFORDIANS SERVE UP THRILLER

Bromley made the short trip to Dartfordians knowing they were in for a testing afternoon against a very good side. With the league title already decided the real interest in this league is who would finish second. Dartfordians or Beccehamians seem the most likely but if Bromley could win in this match up they might get themselves into contention, so all to play for. Bar a couple of injuries and unavailabilities Bromley had a strong squad to choose from and so it was game on.

The away side did not get off to the best of starts. On three minutes they cleared their lines but this was run back powerfully and kicked through and with a favourable bounce Darts were in for the try. It was then nip and tuck for ten minutes or so but on fifteen minutes the home side had another favourable bounce of the ball and were in for another score 0-10. Bromley had done little wrong but were trailing on the scoreboard but they dusted themselves down and hit back in style. The forwards began to assert themselves with powerful drives and the backs looked threatening but Dartfordians were a tough nut to crack but crack they did on twenty eight minutes. The pressure was relentless and Darts started to leak penalties. From one of these the ball was dispatched towards the home twenty two. Cleanly taken, driven forward at pace with George Scott orchestrating and he was the beneficiary notching his fourteenth try of the season and Griffiths knocked over the conversion. Bromley kept pushing and Darts leaked two more penalties and Griffiths applied the finishing touches to one of these.

Scores locked 10-10 and half time approaching but Bromley were not done yet and scored an absolute belter of a try running out of their own twenty two, ball going through various hands and try scored and the away supporters in raptures. Conversion made – 17-10 to Bromley.

Second half and no let up from the black and ambers. Two minutes in they were awarded a lineout which was cleanly won, ball impressively retained and Banners was over in the corner and the score stretched to 22-10. The home side had to respond and they did with gusto putting Bromley’s defensive structures through their paces They held out for about twelve minutes but penalties were coughed up giving Darts field position and from this, their backs put together a nice passage of play to score a good try. Dartfordians now had a head of steam up and alarm bells were ringing for Bromley and with good cause.  On sixty four minutes the home team had a lineout deep in Bromley territory. Catch and drive coming but no they whizzed it along their backline and scored a decent try out wide and the scoreline reads 22-20 to Bromley. At this stage, the home team looked as if they were going to win as they looked threatening all over the pitch. However, Bromley’s competitive edge and spirit came to the fore and they fought back to get their hands on the ball and go through the phases and from a beautifully weighted kick prolific prop Holland popped up on the wing to score.

27-20 and Bromley had about ten minutes plus injury to get through to claim the win. Easier said than done and not helped when Brown was yellow carded for a high tackle on seventy two minutes. They got to the eighty minute mark and then navigated their way through a very lengthy period of injury time. Last play – lineout to Darts. Catch and drive this time – on yes – hint of a knock on – missed – try scored by someone called Smiler – apt. Conversion to come and Darts had not kicked one all afternoon but of course, this went over. Honours even and three points apiece.

This was a terrific game played between two sides who gave it everything and epitomises what this league should be about – local clubs going toe to toe. Bromley’s man of the match was Tommy Scott and nobody could be more deserving as he is one of the heartbeats of the team and gives it everything week in week out. Meanwhile, back at HQ, the seconds were taking on Sevenoaks in a top of the table clash. The twos emerged with a comprehensive victory 43-14 and go into the last couple of league games in fine fettle. The threes were eventually allowed to play at home and celebrated this in style with a comprehensive victory over their equivalents from Beccehamians 60-17. Next week the firsts are at home to Canterbury Seconds, the twos are away to Canterbury Threes and the thirds are hosting old friends and touring side Oder and there will be lots of fun and festivities with that – watch out for news and updates on this.