Dagenham II’s Start Their Division 4 Campaign

After the heady heights of the foray into Kent the II's had to regroup and think about the long season ahead, and the first matter at hand was Southern IVs at home. Again, the weather was unseasonably warm and with a disrupted pre-season for the II’s there was rightly some concern amongst some of the players.

The opposition at first sight looked formidable and as with the previous week Southend seemed to have some old warhorses that obviously knew their way around the rugby pitch. Undaunted Dagenham started the match with high opiumism and expectation.
The initial exchanges were brutal, and no quarter was given by either side but on the 6th minute there was break through and Paul Grint ran in an excellent try for the home team, unfortunately this remained unconverted, 5-0 up. The lads looked really up for it and the backline continued in the same vein which resulted in the stalwart outside-half (Hoggy) carving his way to the line and converting his own try, 12-0. It looked to be a dream start and confidence was high and if it was written in the stars the flying winger Jermaine made as scything run to dab down for what turned out the to be that last try of the half for Dagenham, converted 19-0.

Southend, like a waking giant, started to impose themselves on the game and played to their strengths utilising their formidable forwards to take the most direct route in the sweltering heat. Try! 19-5 at halftime and a chance for the home side strategise the next 40 mins.
Best-laid plans were derailed from the off and Southend continued the match as they had finished the first and after some resolute defence from the D’s the visitors broke through twice on the 58th & 65th minute, 19-17. Now the II’s were in a game and a test of their resolve ensued. It was like two punch drunk bare-knuckle fist fighters trading blows and mesmerising to watch. First Jermaine crosses to make it 26-17 with the conversion. Then Southend countered with a well worked and converted try to make it 26-24. Then, just as the onlookers had managed to catch their breath Jermain breaks clear again after a sterling back-line move to make it 33-24 to the home side.

What might turn out to be the longest half of the season Jermaine crossed the line again. This was duly converted, 40-24. But Southend would not lie down and with one final Titan effort from their weighty pack Southend came back for one more. Surely, they were running on ‘fumes’ at this point, 40-24. But as if to extinguish the last embers of the visitor’s revival Dagenham were awarded a penalty-try. This was after yet another passage of play from the D’s to make Jermaine look probably better than he actually is. Final score 47-31.

Well done lads!