DARTFORDIANS defeated Thurrock at Oakfield on Saturday in a match overshadowed by the death of Thurrock stalwart and team manager Kevin Hymas.

Kevin had fought heroically to overcome his illness and a large crowd gathered at Oakfield to pay their respects. The flags were at half mast and all the players and spectators applauded the life of this great clubman.

Thurrock kicked off into a strong north-westerly breeze and were soon on the attack.

As Thurrock wove some impressive patterns they seemed determined to put on a fine performance. With veteran Earl Gorman on the rampage and Sam Stanley restored to action,Thurrock seemed set fair. In a flowing movement, reminiscent of Thurrock's heyday, it seemed as if every player handled before Jake Barrand scythed through the defence to score a superb try.

Unable to convert from long range, Barrand kicked a penalty to put the home side eight up! Dartfordians responded with a foray into the Thurrock half and opened their account with an easy penalty.

Thurrock swept back down the field and after another exciting passage of play,an incisive incursion into the opposition territory by Niall Clifford put Thurrock further ahead when Chris Shorter, like a charging rhinoceros, proved unstoppable.

In what was almost a reprise of the first try and massive carries by Tom Pool and Joss Nunn, it was Clifford himself who touched down. This was quickly followed by a clear run for the line by Ryan Wilkins trying to add to his tally from the previous week.

Sadly he was cut down by a dangerous tackle which brought a penalty try and a yellow card. At this stage Thurrock seemed set for a handsome victory.

Clearly frustrated at being 26-3 down after only half an hour of play,the Dartford frustrations were beginning to boil over and after a tetchy contretemps their lock was sent from the field with a red card. Now reduced to fourteen men it appeared their fate was sealed!

Almost miraculously Dartfordians were stung into action. With half-backs James Buton and Jon Regnier starting to pull the strings they began to make territorial inroads.

From a scrummage in the Thurrock 22, outstanding No 8 Sam Allen made a charge

Moments later,Allen latched on to a loose Thurrock line-out error and plunged over!

Now Thurrock conceded a number of penalties and after full-back Joe Scott made a clever break,the visitors were awarded a scrum in Thurrock's 22.

Sam Allen picked up and scored another impressive try. Furthermore his superb leadership skills were giving the away side real hope and inspiration.

Thurrock were now being dragged into a "dogfight" and Wilkins and Pool were both given ten minutes in the"bin"! As the half-time whistle sounded,one good break from Jake Bedding almost restored the equilibrium but Thurrock were decidedly rattled.

The half-time team talk did nothing to restore Thurrock's confidence and a series of injuries to Shorter and Clifford,added to Thurrock's discomfort.

After conceding a penalty,Thurrock kicked off only for Burton to scamper through a gap and threading through a speculative kick.

Suddenly from nowhere it was that man again, Sam Allen who outsprinted everyone to get the touchdown. Now Thurrock had lost all momentum and cofidence and entered an error-strewn period of panic which led to a scrum-fest which suited the rampant remnant of the Dartford pack.

With Kieran Clarke showing his pace,they started to play more expansive rugby and ,after a flowing passage of play,winger Aylmer got the decisive score. A magnificent conversion by Regnier had brought Dartfordians into an incredible winning position!

Thurrock tried desperately to retrieve the game and a great run by Tani Loka almost created a recovery, but it was not to be and a reviralised Dartfordians held out for a well-deserved victory and went off to ecstatic applause from their travelling support.

As the sun set over Thurrock Oakfield,this had indeed been a sad day in the history of the club,but we will always remember the part played by Kevin Hymas in that long and successful past.