Dagenham 19 - 50 Southend

A difficult day for Dagenham as they went down 19-50 to table-toppers Southend Saxons this weekend. In what was their first home defeat and most points conceded in a number of seasons, the Dagenham team will rue a slow start and second half indiscipline which gifted a number of easy scores in an otherwise competitive match. From the kick-off Dagenham made some uncharacteristic errors to grant Southend an early opportunity with a penalty near the posts, converted for a 0-3 lead. Southend displayed their experience at this level, winning the early tactical battle, and it wasn’t long before Southend extended their lead; a well worked strike play leading to the try. Dagenham began to settle into the game following this, holding onto the ball for longer periods and making ground through the Southend defence. Eventually after good phase play, Jordan Darkwa crashed over in the corner for the D’s first try. Again though, tactical errors cost Dagenham and they soon found themselves under their own posts again; a smart lineout move resulting in the Southend hooker going over untouched. Dagenham felt they were still in this contest however, with their abrasive carrying finding a few gaps. From a scrum, an excellent first-phase move sent Nat Farrell scorching in to score having beaten a number of would-be tacklers. Tommy Cameron added the conversion to reduce the gap to 12-17. Unfortunately Southend would have the last say of the half, again striking from a set play to score under the posts and leave the halftime score 12-24.

Dagenham still remained positive coming into the second half, with the feeling that if they could cut the error count, they would have enough to run the Saxons to the final whistle. The half started brightly for Dagenham, a great break from Will Knowlden gaining valuable field position. Southend were soon reduced to 14-men, with a yellow card shown for a cynical infringement preventing Josh Cook from taking a quick-tap penalty. Electing for a scrum under the posts, a powerful shove set the platform for centre Lewis Pruce to crash over for the try; again converted by Cameron, 19-24. Unfortunately this wouldn’t precede the expected comeback, as Dagenham were soon under self-imposed pressure again. They received two yellow cards in quick succession, one for a intentional knock-on and one for sacking a promising Southend maul illegally. Despite some tireless defending from the 13-man Dagenham side, Southend were able to take full advantage of the numerical mismatch and score three tries in that ten minute period, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. Dagenham still felt they had to plenty to fight for, to reduce the points difference but also to chase the all-important 4th try to pull a bonus point from the defeat. Unfortunately however, despite some good play, the Southend defence were unrelenting and applied plenty of pressure; Dagenham went through a long period of phases on their line but eventually the pressure told and an error ended the game. Dagenham will feel deflated in what was a performance not reflective of the abilities of the squad, dropping to 6th in the league table. They will now look to bounce back quickly next week, on the road to Norwich.