1st XV
Matches
Sat 10 Dec 2016  ·  Shepherd Neame Kent 2
Askean
0
55
Dartford 'Valley' RFC
1st XV
Tries: M Willis, C Burke (3), L Willoughby, S Mchenry (2), T Castleton, J O ConnorConversions: J O Connor (5)
1st XV win away to Askeans

1st XV win away to Askeans

Gavin Drummond12 Dec 2016 - 19:37
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1st 1XV making an impact. High score and clean sheet.

Report written by Jonathan O Connor

While the weather of late may have been quite mild for the middle of December the form of the Dartford Valley team has been red hot. 3 wins on the bounce could become 4 with a visit to old rivals Askean. After a great week of highly competitive training with attendance numbers in the high twenties the boys from Dartford arrived as focused and determined as ever. While the lads turned up in high spirits laughing and joking in the changing room once they crossed the white line to begin their warm up they looked sharp and precise. A bad omen for Askean.

Valley started the game strongly, showing control and composure to put together multiple phases of play through their hard working forwards. Playing with an intensity which Askean’s could not match it wasn’t long before Martin Willis got the first points off the day, powering over in the corner. Try number two wasn’t far behind either, this time the ball was worked quickly through the hands to Ben Orcan loitering close to the wing, he drove forward but was held up just short of the line by a scrambling Askean’s defence. Chris Burke ever the poacher spotted a gap off the base of the ruck and dived over to make it 12-0. Having been on the receiving end of some heavy scores in the past this Valley team is keen to return the favour to a few of those clubs and try number three came midway through the 1st half, a scrum to Askean’s was put under enormous pressure by the Valley front three of Danny Clive, Aiden Jones and Sean Ottaway. The ball bouncing out towards the Askean’s 10 but was picked up by Tom Castleton who was hauled down just short of the line, reacting well he offloaded to the supporting Liam Willoughby who touched down under the posts. With the conversion converted Valley led 19-0. Valley weren’t finished there either and had the bonus point wrapped up before half time. Two Long passes got the ball out wide to Steve McHenry, with a strong right arm he fended of his opposite number to the ground and then the same to the fullback before coasting over under the posts. Another conversion and a 26-0 lead at halftime.

26-0 Halftime

Askean’s came out fighting in the start of the second half taking the ball into contact with a bit more aggression but they were met by a solid wall of Valley defenders. Some big hits by Kieran Philips and Ant Sumbler soon broke the spirit of the Askean’s runners. With some good territory Valley had players lining up out wider for a try, Chris Burke looked for a long pass to put Steve McHenry in for his second of the day but an opportunistic Tom Castleton rose like a young Micheal Jordan to intercept the pass before side stepping his way over the line with a stunned Steve McHenry looking on By this stage Dartford had players running lines from every direction, the elusive Fenton and Matt Horth cutting through the Askean’s defence at will. When Steve McHenry found himself with the ball and a bit of space out wide he made good on his stolen try by running through Askean’s backline and scoring in the corner to make it 38-0. Chris Burke, lively as always, got his second by side stepping his way through the entire Askean’s defence and putting down in the under the posts and was quickly followed by his hat-trick. With the game plan to secure the ball from the kick off, Martin Willis decided he had a better idea as he galloped off down the middle of the field bouncing Askean defenders at will before offloading to a supporting Liam Willoughby who in turn carried forward before again offloading to the supporting Johnny O’Connor. Not to be out done by his marauding forwards he dropped a ‘Sonny Bill’ offload out the back to Chris Burke who sidestepped the last two men to go over under the posts. When Johnny O’Connor went over in the corner after some great carrying again from the immense Willis and Willoughby the referee had had enough and called an end to the game. A truly ruthless performance from a Valley side who are playing running rugby with confidence, intensity and structure.

55-0 Final score

Tries: Martin Willis, Chris Burke x3, Steve McHenry x2, Liam Willoughby, Tom Castleton and Johnny O’Connor.

Conversions: Johnny O’Connor x5

Man of the Match went to Steve McHenry for an outstanding performance in attack and defence.

The Hammer to Kieron Philips for a couple of textbook hits to chop down the big Askeens runners.

DOD to Johnny O’Connor for missing a handy conversion in front of the posts.

Match details

Match date

Sat 10 Dec 2016

Kickoff

14:00

Meet time

12:30

Location

Instructions




Competition

Shepherd Neame Kent 2

League position

8
Askean
11
Dartford Valley
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsor - Bluewater
Club Sponsor - Timon Fire Protection
Club Solicitors - MW Solicitors
Sponsor - Callisto Construction
Club Sponsor - Esquire Develpments
Club Sponsor - Campanile Hotel