Rugby club blunted by Darts

The rugby club lost 15-10 at home to a Dartfordians side it now trails by four points having played an extra game. H&B only have one match remaining.

Lacking their entire regular front row and with no.8 Steve McManus injured, H&B were blasted away by a first half performance as good as any they have encountered this season.

Darts scored two tries and kicked a penalty to lead 15-0 at half time. The second half was another game altogether. H&B looked a different team, winning collisions and making more ground with their attacks.

They finally broke through with a short side attack and a Matt Harbord try in the corner. A Tom Waring break, great running by Piers Claughton and Jimmy Adams, and powerful forward drives ended with slick hands down the line for Ash Diedericks to score.

Elsewhere, Rye RFC lost 50-8 at home to East Grinstead II in Sussex One. Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played-points) - Kent One: 1 Gillingham Anchorians 20-88, 2 Vigo 20-73, 3 Dartfordians 20-69, 4 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 21-65, 5 Shooters Hill 20-63, 6 Sittingbourne 21-52, 7 Old Gravesendians 20-43, 8 HSBC 21-42, 9 Cranbrook 20-41, 10 Beccehamian 21-29, 11 Whitstable 20-27, 12 New Ash Green 20-17.

Sussex One: 1 Pulborough 17-67, 2 East Grinstead II 18-62, 3 Burgess Hill 17-50, 4 Seaford 17-42, 5 Holbrook 17-39, 6 Newick 17-34, 7 RYE 17-33, 8 Brighton II 18-32, 9 Eastbourne II 17-22, 10 Chichester III 17-8.