Thurrock 26, Dartfordians 50

THERE was to be no Christmas cheer on the pitch for Thurrock whose search for a first London and South East Regional Two South East table win of the season goes into 2025 after Saturday's defeat at Oakfield.

In the opening exchanges that looked an unlikely outcome as Thurrock's young side made an impressive start against a strong wind and athletic opposition, pressing them back to beyond the 22 on numerous occasions.

But they were unable to make the penetrative move and it was to be Dartfordians who opened the scoring when they made the most of good ball from a line-out after a clearing penalty took the ball upfield for the first time in the match and Ryan Chandler finished off a blindside move by surging over the try-line, almost unopposed.

Charlie Chirtty scores.

The try was unconverted and in the twelfth minute Thurrock were gifted an equalising try when Charlie Chitty reached out and held on to an interception and ran the ball in under the posts. Harry Reynolds popped over the conversion to give Thurrock the lead raise home hopes.

Sadly, for home supporters, the lead lasted just two minutes when Dartfordians worked a planned line-out move and Connor Faulkes charged through. Thomas Gubby converted.

However, Thurrock showed their resilience and from a driving maul near the corner after a throw in he took, Rick Percival dived over to level the scores.

The conversion was missed, and it was to be the last score of parity in the match.

In the 25th minute the visitors regained the lead with a powerful surge down the right, their strength in the maul creating the opportunity for Kieran Clarke to surge forwards. Though he was stopped short of the line the ball was popped for Miles Taylor to take it on and ground.

Dartfordians' next try was somewhat fortuitous as a kick forward bounced unkindly for the defenders, particularly a diving Ahmed Aminu, and Elliot Soler-Gomez followed up to ground the ball. Gubby converted.

On the stroke of half time Thurrock were carved open again and a flowing move ended with Miles Taylor going in in under the posts. Again Gubby converted and Dartfordians had a 31-12 half time lead.

The start of the second half mirrored the first, with Thurrock starting strongly and they were rewarded after four minutes of it when pressure close to the visitors' line ended with veteran prop Andy Catchpole diving over. Rynolds converted to raise hopes of a recovery.

A period of Dartfordians' pressure was weathered by resolute Thurrock defending and they were rewarded with a breakaway try, run in under the posts by Rynolds and some skilled dribbling from a kick forward and a fortuitous collision as John Frear challenged for the loose ball opened the door.

He converted his own try and Thurrock were right back in contention.

But it was to prove another false dawn in a season of missed opportunities.

Full time at Oakfield.

There was a definite sense of anticipation as Thurrock stepped up in intensity and ambition, but they were to be masters of their own downfall, twice squandering possession when ambition intent went wrong, the second time allowing Gubby to opportunity to pick up the ball and race in unopposed. He converted to open up a 12 point lead again.

There was still time for Thurrock to mount the comeback but it wasn't to be as the visitors' strength in the scrum paid dividends with Ryan Chandler picking up and going over. The conversion was missed but the score left Dartfordians in sight of their half century.

And it was duly delivered with five minutes to go when another well-worked set piece ended with Ryan Chandler barging his way over the line.

Gubby stepped up with the kick and that was the last of the scoring.

There was still time for referee Harry Hopkins to issue Thurrock skipper Kodie Holloway with a yellow card, possibly for a high tackle – a somewhat surprising decision as he had kept his hands out of his pockets when awarding penalties to Thurrock for a couple of similar infringements in the first half.  

Watch the whole match via this link:-