Dartford Valley hosted Bexley in a hotly contested local derby at Green St Green this weekend. Timed to coincide with one of Valleys now renowned Social Days, there was a large turnout, creating a great atmosphere around the field. The DVRFC Youth Academy provided the curtain raiser to the main event, showing their improved skill levels and contact skills, enthusiastically supported by the 1st XV squad players and coaches, parents and spectators. All were treated to food vans, a minibar and with bouncy castles, popcorn, candy floss, coconut shy and other events for the little ones. Peter Timon and his team on the Social Sub-Committee had done an amazing job to set the scene set for a great day. Could the players do their part and deliver the big W in front of their home support?

The guys arrived early, keen to soak up the atmosphere and to discuss the previous nights revelations. Club Captain Ben Orcan's rousing words on the players page had been leaked to the opposition, adding more fuel to the fire for this local derby. Thankfully Ben's speech was more firing up the troops than tactical planning, so it should have had little affect on the game. Never the less, Valley knew that Bexley would be showing up keen to put their stamp on the game and potentially in Ben's back.

The warmup was as focused and intense as ever, with Burkey and Brownie prowling, getting the guys fired up for the war that would come. The team would line up with the youngest front row in the league, Danny Clive, Aiden Jones and Lee Policelli, all in their early 20s showing the future is looking good for Valley. Charlie Meredith and Shane Baker would bring power and height to the engine room at second row. Liam Willoughby, Ben Orcan and Kieron Philips would make up a tenacious Back row. Mikey and Burkey were at 9 and 10, the two feisty northerners bringing the speed and skill. With Tom Castleton and Brownie in the centres you are guaranteed front foot ball and the back 3 of Archie Wheeler, Steve McHenry and Lee Nathan would be a danger to any team with ball in hand.

The game kicked off with Dartford playing up the field into the low winter sun. Bexley’s second row took the catch but was quickly hit with a thundering tackle from the chasing Valley pack. Bexley would try to carry out of their 22 but each carry was hit with another thundering tackle and they eventually returned possession back to Valley with a clearing kick. With ball in hand Valley began knocking on the door of the Bexley defence. When the ball was put to College Boy, Shane Baker, the second row used his power to punch through the Bexley defensive line along the right wing. Quick ball was secured by the 'Ginger Gym Monkey' Prop that is Danny Clive who wiped out two would-be tacklers at the breakdown. With front foot ball Mikey fired the ball to the on-running Valley players, Ben Orcan strangely found himself at 10 and passed to his half brother Lee Policelli outside him. With the composure of a centre, (Danny Clive take note), he drew his man and passed to Brownie, always a danger carrying the ball in two hands, he drew two defenders before offloading to Burkey who hit the line at pace. With Bexley defenders scampering across they were easily dispatched with his trademark sidesteps and when a gap opened up he raced through to score. Valley were 7 nil up with their first attack of the game (Conversion Shane Baker).

Valley had started with a ferocity and intensity that Bexley could not live with and second try was not long in coming. A scrum to Bexley on the halfway was won against the head. Some fine scrummaging from the youthful front row of Lee Policelli, Aiden Jones and Danny Clive. Mikey quickly shipped the ball out to Burkey and with Brownie and Tom flying up to draw in defenders, he pulled the ball back to Steve McHenry arriving at pace. With a trademark fend he went past his defender, before being too strong for the covering 15 and he went over to make it 14-Nil (Conversion Kev Brown).

Dartford kept up the pressure and had Bexley on the back foot. After a couple of strong carries by forwards, Liam Willoughby and Kieron Phillips, the ball was shipped wide to Lee Nathan who beat his man and chipped ahead, the scrambling defender got there just before Lee to touch down for a 22 drop out. Dartford were in no mood to let up though. From the 22 Aiden Jones took the ball at full stretch while on the move, the barrelling hooker powered through two defenders before throwing an outrageous sidestep to beat the next man up, he was finally hauled down just short of the 5 metre line. Valley failed to convert the pressure into points on this occasion.

Bexley came in to the game towards the end of the first half. With limited options out wide due to the pressure from the Valley midfield trio of Burkey, Tom and Brownie they kept the ball with their forwards and relied on the boot of their kicker to gain territory. The last 5 minutes Bexley were camped on the Valley 5 metre line trying desperately for a try. Hard line after hard line they ran, but the Valley defence isn’t one for giving up soft tries these days and no quarter was given. The Valley 15 defended as if their lives depended on it. In the tight areas Shane Baker, Aiden Jones and Ben Orcan stopping their men dead in their tracks. When Bexley looked to have numbers over the Valley, defenders communicated well to shuffle numbers where needed. Valley eventually emerged with the ball and the sound of the half time whistle rang out to signify the end of the first period.

Words at half time where not of well done and back-patting, instead it was to up their game and not let standards slip. It is great to see how far this team has come that leading 14-Nil against their local rivals is not enough.

To their credit Bexley stepped it up in the second half and the game became a war of attrition. With some massive hits being made in and around the middle of the field with neither team giving up much ground. The breakdown became a bit of a mess as Bexley succeeded in disrupting Dartford’s ball and Valley failed to commit enough men to secure quick ball. Both defences would stay on top for the majority of the half and chances were few and far between. Archie Wheeler would go close, getting the ball wide on the left wing, beating one man on the outside with a deft step before handing off the covering tackler, just when it looked like he was free he was caught by a covering flanker much to Bexley’s relief.

Valley would pick up their third try of the game. With Bexley looking comfortable with the ball in the middle of the park they failed to see Tom Castleton lining up the breakdown. When a gap emerged the Valley centre applied Thursday's breakdown training to great use and he got in low and early, Hooperesque he would later claim in the bar. He dug the ball out from the grounded Bexley player and cleverly offloaded out the back to Chris Burke. Catching the Bexley defence misaligned he drew his man and put Lee Nathan through on the wing. With Bexley players out of position there was nobody fit to catch the flying winger and he was able to race 40m to the line and go under the posts. Brownie kicked the conversion and it was 21-NIL (Conversion Kev Brown).

Valley pushed for a 4th try and would come close with Archie again making yards down the wing before being put into touch. Chris Buke and Brownie would also make half breaks but neither close enough to the Bexley line to score. Valleys best chance for a forth would come from an odd pair. Lee Policelli hit one of his trademark spike lines and bulldozed his way through two tacklers, as he flew down the wing covering defenders raced to catch the jolly-looking Prop. With a covering defender ready to make the tackle Poli laid the ball off to his supporting runner, unfortunately the men you want, Steve McHenry, Burkey or Archie were nowhere to be seen, instead, 6'9" Second Row Charlie Meredith was running a great supporting line and he took the ball from Policelli. Unfortunately for Charlie he is a big target and was hauled down by the chasing Bexley defenders.

The game would end with a great roar from the crowd. Valley deserved their win but Bexley deserve a lot of credit for bringing a strong competitive side who never gave up. The match was a great showcase for local grass roots rugby with two local rivals playing in the spirit of the game. It was hard and competitive but both teams showed the level of respect that Rugby instills in its clubs.

MOM - Chris Burke, another MOM award for the hotstepping northerner.

DOD - Steve McHenry, did what he does best and gets on the score sheet with our second try but was guilty of getting greedy and binned a 3 on 1 when simple hands would have put a team mate through.

Hammer - Kevin Brown, made hit after hit in the midfield and was a defensive rock. One hit in particular grew gasps from the crowd. There is no road through when he is in the defensive line. His knowledge and experience has been great addition to the squad this year.

Notable mentions:

Aidan Jones - Stepping up to replace the travelling Ant Sumbler at Hooker had an excellent game and offers competition for another position in the 1st XV

Kieron Philips - As always, a rock in defence, astute in positional play with the true heart of Valley

Coaching Staff - Head Coach Chris Burke and DOR Will Frost have much to be proud of with the massive strides the team have taken over the past months. The season started 0-8, but they were not phased. They stuck to the gameplan and the players followed. We are now mid-table and looking for at least another 4 wins before the end of the season.

Full Match video

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