7th November 2009
Dartfordians v Anchorians
If Guy Fawkes had set up this match he would have lit the touch paper and run a
mile. This top of the Kent 1 League
table clash between Dartfordians and Gillingham Anchorians was set to be a
magnificent display of powerful plays and huge hits and boy did it live up to
expectations.
The home team used their knowledge of the pitch from the off forcing the A’s to
play into the setting sun. Kicking off Dartford
dropped the ball well into the A’s half but with the ball being well caught the
A’s came out fighting, running the ball back with ball in hand. Quickly the home team grouped and with a
swift turn over ball kicked the ball to touch but it failed to bounce and the
A’s had twenty metres advantage in the opponents half. The line out was lost and a knock on was
conceded which Dartford won in the scrum and took a long clearance kick into
the A’s half. The ball was caught well
by Full Back Adam Davison who ran the ball back with his brother Ben in strong
support. Making clear ground they piled
back into the opponents half before popping the ball to winger Keith White who
continued the forward momentum until the referee spotted an infringement and
blew for a penalty to the A’s. Craig
Webb stepped up and kicked the ball from the halfway line aiming to find touch
but the ball was caught cleanly by the home team who immediately began a
powerful counter attack. Spotting a gap
in the A’s defence an up and under was kicked into the air but was caught by A
Davison who kicked the ball clear to find touch. Play continued dodging either way across the
halfway line with no one team having significant advantage until an infringement
within kicking range allowed the accurate Dartfordian kicker to take the first
3-points from 30-metres out. Now on the
back foot A’s were looking for revenge and to score points their own. With a swift kick Webb pushed the ball well
into the home team half which was caught by the winger who piled down the A’s
left hand side dodging tackles before being sliced in half with a fast powerful
tackle by Richie Collins. With a swift
move Collins was up and over the player and forced a penalty for holding
on. A’s pushed the ball to touch and a
line out which was lost for not being straight.
The resultant scrum was won by A’s with a powerful drive through the
scrum and scrum half Ryan Dowling lifted the ball and passed to Winger Davison
who took the ball at pace and ran 30-metres before being tackled by 3 home team
players and bundled into touch. Play for
play both teams reacted to the game stopping attack after attack at both ends
until a penalty was finally conceded by Dartford on their 22 metre line. Collins stepped up but the kick failed to
register points for the A’s. Breathing a
sigh of relief Dartford quickly took the 22 drop out and managed to get the
ball well into the A’s half before a knock and on and a scrum allowed quick
ball to be played from the back of the scrum and Dartford ran the ball into the
right hand corner to register another 5-points.
The try was un-converted and the score at half time was 8-0 to the home
team
.
Now well and truly on the back foot and following a one way conversation from
the Head Coach at half time A’s were desperate to get back at Dartford. Now with the sun in their favour, and kicking
off “Mad” Mick McLorn chased the ball and hammered into the catcher. Supported by the ever present Dave Hadris the
loose ball was collected by the home team but pressure from Hadris resulted in
a knock on and a scum well into the Dartford half in A’s favour. Adam “George” Webb came out of the scrum with
ball in hand and passed to Dowling, Webb, Collins and B Davison who again,
taking the ball at pace and cleared half the distance to the try line. Alone and un-supported the referee decided
that he held the ball too long and allowed the home team to clear with a
penalty kick back into the A’s half. The
line out was taken by A’s who set up a rolling maul which started slowly before
gathering momentum and took them within 15 metres before it collapsed. Dowling lifted the ball and spotting a gap
quickly ran through for a spectacular individual try just to the right of the
posts giving A’s 5 well deserved points.
Collins attempted the conversion but failed to find the posts. Dartford now realised that we really meant
business and wanted to shut the door permanently on the A’s. Taking advantage of a penalty decision in
front of the posts another 3-points were scored taking the score to 11-5. A’s tried to ring some changes with Andy
Wylie coming on for Richie Kylie and Andy Pritchard for Paul Knight. These made some impression but failed to create
the impact that we desperately needed and Dartford managed to score another
penalty and converted try. However, they
didn’t have it all their own way and with a clear kick down the touch line,
chased by Hadris and B Davison, Hadris managed to beat the Dartford winger to
touch the ball down for A’s second try which was unconverted. Dartford managed one more questionable try
before the end of the match which was “confirmed” by the home team linesman who
must have been all of 10-years old. The
final score was 25-10. A flattering
score to the home team and did not reflect the quality of the game played by
the Anchorians.
Anchorians Man of Match was Dave Hadris for putting his body on the line and
being everywhere on the pitch, particularly in the opponents face.
After the game Head Coach Alex Browne said ‘’ It was a tough game against the
league leaders. It was a real battle up
front but I was so proud of the effort and commitment of the entire team today
right through to the final whistle. Discipline
wise; there were some fractious moments, particularly in the first half. The
penalty count in the second half was much better and we now look forward to a
return match on home turf on 13th Feb.
Today we saw a good, hard solid game of rugby and individual
performances are hard to pick out but comments will be made for Richie Collins
and Ben Davison who both showed desire on the pitch today. I am really looking forward to next week’s
game against Old Olavians.”
Next league game Saturday 14 November at Old Olavians