2nds share the spoils at Hackney Marshes!

Saturday saw a very high spirited Dagenham 2’s travel down to a consistent Millwall. After prolonging the match for as long as possible so the boys could stay warm & wait for more players to arrive we had to kick off (unfortunately). With a very dismantled team Dagenham done well to hold strong after an onslaught of attacks from Millwall & a few slipped tackles with fatigue rapidly setting in Millwall scored. (Conversion missed). The D’s were adamant on replying as quick as possible & Paul Grint confidently took the opportunity for a penalty & took it. (3-5). After a very frustrating restart & some heavy hits with a few of the boys on either side carrying injuries dagenham let slip again & conceded a penalty which Millwall use to capitalise & take their lead to 3-8. Our turn to pressure from the restart saw our forwards efficiently using their size & Welsh international Adam Evans run into the corner for the D’s first try (conversion missed) taking the scores to 8-8. Eventually the reinforcements of Fergie & Riley turned up after travelling to the wrong pitch but they made up for it with Fergie taking over kicking duties & the forwards winning a penalty at the scrum & Fergie slotting the 3 points to take the score to 11-8 at half time. While some nursed injuries & some smoked we took the time to reflect on impact areas & where we could capitalise in attack. Whistle blown Millwall restart & we are straight back at them. A few crash balls sees Adam Evans break the line & Jonny Smith in support to receive the ball on the 22 & hands off their “calendar boy centre” to score (conversion missed) 16-8. Fatigue rapidly set in for the men in red as Millwall run is 2 quick tries with no answer from Dagenham both conversions missed to take the score 16-18. With a short time remaining Millwall not happy with their lead took advantage of another penalty & increased the lead by 5. (16-21). Dagenham keen to keep pressure on the top 3 needed to walk away with points & the come in the shape of Shaun Riley who after a lot of crash balls from forwards & a dummy step saw him run in a very well deserved try. (Conversion missed).
21-21. The ref had called last play & the Men in red switched off resulting in the Millwall fly half breaking through & after arrogance on their part & determination from Jonny Smith to not let points slip the game ended.
Thankyou to Everyone who put on a shirt despite the weather & knocks.
Special mention to Paul Grint & the tackle of the season!
Scorers;
Evans (5)
Grint (3)
Smith (5)
Fergi (3)
Riley (5)

Adam Evans
Ian Robinson
Gary Francis
Shaun Riley
Iain Fergie
Nathan Palmer-Anscomb
Billy Smith
Mark Goodenough
Jonny Smith
Paul Grint