Reporters Nick Tremain & Phil Vickery.

Match Report: Dartfordians U16 Girls vs Medway – National Cup Round 2

On a crisp, sunny afternoon, Dartfordians U16 Girls took to the field, ready for what promised to be a tough encounter against a bigger Medway side. However, from the opening whistle, Darts wasted no time asserting their dominance.

Within just two minutes, Darts had already made their intentions clear. Securing the ball from the kickoff, they worked it into the midfield to draw Medway in before swiftly moving it wide to Chloe, who crossed the line for the opening try.

Barely five minutes later, Chloe was over again after another slick passage of play. Medway attempted to respond with their size and strength, but Darts’ superior speed and technique were undeniable.

Medway's first real opportunity came after a Darts knock-on, but their advance was stopped in its tracks by a massive tackle from Molly. What followed was a series of scrums where Darts showcased their technical superiority, consistently driving Medway backward.

The match turned into a thrilling spectacle, with Darts firmly in control. A powerful solo run from Ife, starting from Medway's 22, resulted in another try under the posts, which Anna converted with ease.

After the restart, a big tackle from Martha temporarily halted the game as Medway’s hooker needed treatment. Once play resumed, the back-and-forth exchange between the sides was ultimately broken by Chloe, who completed her hat trick after a Medway steal went awry.

Relentless pressure from Darts led to Maia adding another try, and Darcey crossed the line after a quick passage of play, with Anna slotting the conversion. Medway briefly found themselves in the Darts' 22 after a poor restart but were denied by a brilliant tap tackle that cleared the danger.

Darts ended the first half with another try from Martha following a strong run by Anna, leaving the score at an imposing 39-0.

The second half began with five fresh players for Darts, but any potential adjustment period was dismissed as India immediately crossed the line. Medway looked rattled, and Martha followed up with a powerful run down half the pitch before Miley came close to scoring. Maia eventually added another try, with Anna adding the extra 2 points.

Medway managed a brief reprieve with a fantastic solo try, converting to make it 56-7, but their efforts were short-lived. Darts maintained relentless pressure, dominating the scrums and territory. Martha added yet another try before the referee called an unexpected early end to the match, with just 12 minutes of the second half played.

The final score of 56-7 reflects Dartfordians' dominance in every aspect of the game. From scrums to handling, defense to attack, the Darts juggernaut proved unstoppable today.

A special mention goes to the incredible support the girls received, with a crowd of over 150 cheering them on throughout the match. The energy and encouragement from the sidelines undoubtedly helped spur the team to such a comprehensive victory.

Another step forward in their National Cup journey—this team is one to watch!

Follow Dartofordians U16 Girls in the National Cup.

Watch the game in full on VEO.