A much changed and very young Demons side took the field against Bromley who were expcted to be very strong. Itb turned out to be a fantastic match with both sides doing hammer and tong against each other playing a lot of excellent rugby. Darts started really well with Mike Brent making an early break taking play deep into the visitors 22. A period of sustained attack with the young Darts forwards really taking the ball on strongly, Bexley , Lloyds Banks, Sid Rackley and Danny Lane were espcially noticeable. however the Bromley defence was very good and when they turned then ball over a quick counter attack took the ball deep into the Darts 22. With the slight edge in the tight Bromley were in the ascendancy and this resulted in Darts conceding some penalties abd after some sustained pressure the ball was passed wide to te left winger who went over for the first try which was converted. 0-7. A kick through by Beomley was picked up by Henry Lawes who set the ball up and quick ball wentthrough the hands via Aiden Greally and Bexley before finding Pete Essien who went round three defenders with pace and power to score. 5-7. Darts were looking confident and when Mike Brent did a loop with Adam Mckeirnon he created some space passed to Henrt Laes who timed his pass to Stan Tume who went over for Darts second try. 10-7. Darts were playing really wel with Josh Doherty scavenging everywhere and powerful work being done by Aiden and Adam Selly in the second row. A bit of scrappy play saw Darts win the ball and move it quickly to Pete Essien who with the briefest of space scored an excellent try converted by Adam 17-7. Joe Johnson who as usual was having a solid match at hooker wass the yellow carded. This gave Bromley a boost and they took advantage and after a messy scrum 5 metres from the line it was the Bromley 9 who pounced first on the loose ball to score which was converted . 17-14
Darts went back to 15 players and looked comfortable with the ball held in the forwards or out wide in the backs and it was a really entertaining and tense match. Max Nissinen-li was impressive with ball in hand and with his tackling in defence and the young Darts forwards were continually trying to break through gaps. Bromley the levelled the score when Darts conceded a penalty in front of the posts. 17-7. It was time for some pressure from the visitors and when Darts were penalised for offside Aidan was surprisingly yellow carded and Bromley took advantage of the extra man and created enough space to score close to the posts. 17-24. The young Darts team were playing some enterprising rugby which put them on the front foot and they went close through JackO'Reilly. They built on this and kept play deep intothe visitors 22 and it was young Sid Rackley who powered over with Adam converting 24-24. Tom Garrett who had made an impact when coming on was the yellow carded and Bromley took the 3 points on offer to take the lead. 24-27. Christian broadfoot had a great run and the team continued to push hard to get a score and when put together some great rugby they movd the ball out wide to Peter Essien who was free 25 yards out but there was deemed to be a forward pass and the game ended.
A great game of rugby by both teams and very unlucky for the young Demons team who showed a great deal of maturity and skill and deserved to get something out of the match.