As the league table had suggested Dartfordians duly secured a home bonus point win over mid-table Heathfield, who fielded a notably young team. However the score line cannot reflect the distinct feeling of irritation in the Heathfield ranks that they had not done themselves justice, especially in the first half.
Leaving behind the waterlogged Sussex marshes, Heathfield were pleasantly surprised to find an excellent well-grassed surface. With the breeze across the pitch, Heathfield played the first half up the slight slope.
Darts started strongly and an early strong run by a centre looked to have produced a try but somehow Ben Irwin ripped the ball off him right on the try line to prevent the score. Nonetheless the home side soon demonstrated its efficiency in the lineout catch and drive routine which had punished Heathfield in the earlier fixture between these two teams. On this occasion just enough Heathfield bodies were under the ball to deny a score.
Darts continued to press and Irwin was now binned for a high tackle with barely ten minutes on the clock. Darts duly exploited the situation for a clinical score in the left hand corner. Heathfield surged back from the restart and good hands, including a useful break by Harry Slinnhawkins, took the ball up to the home 22. A deliberate knock on provided a simple penalty chance, duly knocked over by Toby Simpson. The lack of a yellow card for this offence, compared to the one for Irwin seemed odd.
In spite of still being a man short Heathfield had rather the better of much of the next few minutes. Darts were kicking a lot out of defence and Heathfield were only too happy to run back at them. A longer range penalty chance just went wide but the visitors were clearly on the front foot.
Irwin now returned to the fray and soon made another key contribution with a steal at the base of a home scrummage. Most of the play was in the home half with useful driving by the Heathfield pack in which Ollie Tooke was especially prominent with multiple strong carries.
Darts did manage to break out a couple of times only for Heathfield to work their way back upfield. This was the period when Heathfield could have made an impact on the score board but the home defence did just enough. One knowledgeable observer felt that Heathfield lacked some punch in attack although they certainly had impressive pace through Simpson and Slinnhawkins in particular.
The game was effectively decided by two Darts strikes either side of half time. With five minutes left in the first half a long run from deep by the Darts resulted in a 5m scrummage and they duly finished well in the left hand corner, impressively converted for a half time score of 12-3.
Then soon after the start of the second half good Heathfield scrum possession was being worked wide but the movement was too ponderous and a home centre was able to intercept and then had the pace to dive into the left hand corner. The despairing tackle by Simpson was adjudged to have been high so a penalty try resulted although this begs the question as to why Simpson was not then binned.
Soon afterwards Darts moved good second phase ball wide left and one missed tackle allowed the home bonus point try in the corner. (26-3)
A few minutes later a Darts penalty gave them good field position in the top right hand corner and their usually efficient lineout provided good ball for one of their second row to charge over.
With the result obvious Heathfield nonetheless refused to lie down. A useful Simpson crossfield kick was regathered by Slinnhawkins and he looked to have a great opportunity but his chip ahead could not be recovered and the chance was gone.
The visitors did now have a period of pressure into the bottom left hand corner. One apparent good chance was lost as an attacking lineout misfired but soon afterwards good scrum ball was taken on by Irwin who found Tom Reilly on a lovely line to touch down in the corner, Simpson converted well.
Darts completed their scoring on the day when a strong scrum provided good ball allowing one of their centres to bosh through for a try. An obvious scrum penalty against Darts thus went unpunished but referees can’t see everything.
At least Heathfield had the last word as Irwin again made a useful break from a scrum before some good hands by skipper for the day Tom Tingley produced a deserved try, converted by Simpson.
There was one last chance for Heathfield as Slinnhawkins again nearly got away but the bounce of the ball went against him.
Darts were just too efficient and powerful on the day against a Heathfield side who played some decent rugby but missed chances. The visitors’ scrum generally held up well under considerable pressure with Tingley and especially Irwin doing good work to retrieve good ball on the retreat.
Darts will probably be promoted as they have a slightly easier last few games compared to their nearest rivals Beccehamians. Additionally the next few days may show a significant update in that respect resulting from action in committee rooms rather than on the pitch.
Heathfield will take particular pleasure in the fact that six of the starting fifteen were 20 or younger – plus two even younger on the bench, with all doing well. They were playing against older and more experienced opponents so will have learnt much.
After a week off Heathfield next entertain Deal in what is always a well-contested match (16 Mar 3.00)