Dartfordians 7 v 17 Chichester

London 3 South East

IN MUDDY conditions Darts welcomed Chichester to the Memorial Ground knowing a win was a must.

The home side started well and were forcing their opponents onto the back foot.

Early on John Bucksey, the Darts open side, received a yellow card and the home side held out with no score against.

After his return Darts were stretched and Chichester scored a converted try.

The hosts fought back with Howard Evans at scrum half dictating the pace but Chichester's defence held firm and a counter attack saw them take a 120 lead into the break.

Darts came back into the game in the second half and made the most of the slope by keeping the ball in Chi's half.

They were awarded a penalty five yards from the Chi' line and scrum half Evans powered over to score, with Mark Hutchinson converting the try to bring the score back to 127.

Darts kept up the pressure and came within inches of scoring again with continued power from the pack.

But Chi' were holding out and near the end got another break away try down the left hand side, which made the final score 177 to the visitors.