Another week & another new look line up for Darts 2’s, that on paper at least promised much, with Tim Stagg and Joe Austin being promoted to the 2’s for the previous weeks 1’s .We also welcomed back with (very) wide open arms our very fat and quite ugly prop, he does however have great hair.
After a late arrival by many at Westcombe Park due to Saturday shoppers causing traffic mayhem, warm up time was distinctly limited the saving grace being the hike over to the pitches, meant that many arrived out of breath!
Darts plan from the kick off was to play their way into this local derby by keeping it simple, going through a few phases then kicking to touch for field position.
Despite a quick down pour some fine running by Tony Mead on the 10 minute mark, saw him link up with tom griggs to beat several defenders and score by the posts, with Mead converting.
5 minutes later Darts forwards secured the ball on their opposition 22 and proceeded to set up the first of several impressive driving mauls. Unaccustomed to being involved in such hard work, Matt “Kitten” Edwards made sure he was at the tail end of the maul with the ball held as tightly as possible in his feeble paws; asking his hard working forwards how far out they were in readiness to pounce over the try line. Although the conversion was missed, after less than 20 minutes Darts found themselves 12 – 0 up and thought somewhat prematurely that this was going to be walk in the park.
Darts set piece was solid through out the match and some fine catch and drives from the lineout saw another driving maul heading towards the oppositions try line only to be denied several yards out by some poor body positions and communication. A superb break from Babs Ojo coming in off of his wing and towards the try line, beating 4 defenders en route looked like another fine score, however a great cover tackle by Park thwarted his progress and although he managed to pop the ball to his support runner unfortunately the ball didn’t go to hand an another score went begging.
The final few minutes of the half saw fortunes change with Darts giving a series of silly penalties away, that led to Park scoring at the death, with the visitors turning around 12 – 7 up.
After a few home truths the second half started in earnest and yet another fine run by Babs saw him beat 3 defenders and score out wide, with the conversion missed Darts lead 17 – 7. The 2nd half was a much tighter affair in general and the Park backs started to grow in confidence and looked dangerous and after some good phases the home side scored their second try and the game was now wide open. Further good play from Park coupled with some poor discipline from Darts, saw a 3rd try scored from the home side after they drove on from their own scrummage. The conversion was missed but the score was 17 – 17 and nail biting finish was in store. With 5 minutes left on the clock Ojo rounded off a man of the match performance by scoring out wide again to secure an away win.
A mention for Duane Dare who again impressed with a 3 minute cameo, 1 run 4 defenders beaten the line at our mercy only for the same hamstring to give up the ghost.
Duane brought along his friend Mustafa whom made his club debut and impressed with a solid run beating several defenders and came very close to scoring.
A special mention to Chris Roots, who after being “explosive” last week (according to Boycie's match report) insisting he was going to be “impressive” being as bold to say that he had a man of the match performance ready and waiting. What was truly impressive was that he kept this so well hidden that no one noticed said performance!
A good performance overall, highlighted by some great running rugby from the backs and solid set piece from the forwards, and if the core of this team stay together greater things are sure to come.

Scorers
Try –Ojo (2) Griggs, Kitten
Con – Mead (1)

MOTM - Ojo