Lemons can break through walls

29/02/20

Dartfordians Lemons vs Belsize Parks 3s @ Beths School.

Amid the poor weather and flooded pitches, the Lemons finally returned to action after what must be the longest winter break known to rugby – facing Belsize Park 3s in a match that had much more intensity then usually seen in a friendly and which potentially the team were not ready for.

In the pre match huddles, wise words were dished out by the articulate JO’B with the instructions of keep the ball tight and run through the phases, maximise our bigger carriers to make holes, use the set piece to build from and don’t make any risky passes – instead secure the ball and make BP work for long stretches without the ball. Next time skip, you might need to bring a translator or use subtitle cards as I don’t think the message was understood!

BP kicked off with the wind and from that moment on they settled into their routine of being quick at the breakdown and aggressively jackalling, making it very difficult for Darts to secure clean (if any) ball from which to build upon. On several occasions they were successful in turning the ball over with Darts not being sharp enough and stepping up to match the intensity. Darts were also unlucky to have problems holding onto the ball with several unforced errors giving possession back. Despite this, the pack grew in confidence with their set piece having a clear advantage in the scrum, seeing it march back almost with ease and a sharp lineout both attacking and defending, but some decisions by the referee seemed to limit the impact of this success. Young Ed and Selley, leading the backline, were working hard in order to create opportunities but did not have the luck of winning the contact and were fighting both a determined opposition and a strong wind and working hard to limit the points conceded.

BPs two tries (both converted) came from quick turnovers and a sign of a team in good sync breaking tackles, simple offloads with teammates on both shoulders alongside a scrum half in full flow providing quick fluid ball at will, alongside being a nuisance himself with the ball in hand with not many opportunities for Darts to nullify him with many attempts resulting in penalties being conceded. The frustration in Darts was evident with the return of the Ginger Finn/Scotchy to the pitch, being eager to show what he could do unfortunately getting pinged for offsides at every opportunity despite being eager to lead the fightback.

The half time team talk was led by Bally with everyone now clearly understanding what they needed to do to get back into the game and from the first tackle Darts turned the breakdown into more of an even contest, helped by the introduction of Jake Taylor leaving Scotchy able to rest for later on. JT getting involved everywhere he could to contribute and the tide was starting to turn, unfortunately BP did not let off from the first half with 12 points coming in similar fashion but Darts knew the best was yet to come.

With the game into the last 20mins, something seemed to click for Billy Wilson – the 18 wheeler with no steering axels – running hard and straight causing a nightmare for BP to contend with (including their 9 who was unfortunate to be bounced away in GIF-like fashion), this led to strong carries from Martin, Bally, Selley and others really drawing BP in the tight and giving space to the backs who were finally enjoying space to push forward and run with the ball in hand.

First try was from Bally reaching the line out wide break through the line of BPs 3 bigger lads trying to stop him with the conversion superbly taken - 3 further scores not given for Bally/Martin & Scotchy for deemed held ups and double movement, but Darts were undeterred and finally got the second from a well worked classic Darts lineout with Martin crashing through to score and Ed once again converting brilliantly.

The third try was a sight to behold as the set up was from the most unexpected source, Joe “the Care Bear” Carey provided the most unbelievable through the legs, over the shoulder, no look, one handed flick (which stopped everyone in their tracks) to Bally to force his way over for Darts 3rd with the score now at 19-26 with enough time for one last roll of the dice.

Darts once again relied on Billy being the unstoppable boulder to work from and held onto the ball for several phases before being unlucky to concede a penalty just after the buzzer thanks to a resolute BP defence determined not to let the game slip away.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for the Lemons but the morale was high especially with the chance for Captain JO’B to receive plenty of banter over his inability to manage the referee and even stopping in the middle of the game, ball under one arm and holding onto a BP defender, swearing blindly the game should have stopped with no sound of a whistle being present.

Our fearless leader spoke out after a few Guinness’s and summarised the game as “Lá crua a bhí ann san oifig le BP an-ionsaitheach an lá ar fad. Léirigh ár mbuachaillí an-diongbháilte sa chéad leath a bheith fós le lámhaigh níos réadúla a bhain le buachan a bhaint amach. Taispeántar grit mhór.”

Coach Whalo added “Brexit is really doing a number on this team - no Finns, no Japanese, only one Irish, and the price of bananas have gone through the roof. Who knew you couldn't grow them in Crayford!!”

The Lemons return to action next weekend with all the team looking forward to the next couple of weeks and driven to build momentum ahead of the big Kent Cup Semi Final vs Westcombe Park a couple of weeks away.