Beckenham needing 2 league points from the game to be crowned champions against a Dart’s team who have been very strong all season and looking to spoil the party. Your correspondent today was injured two weeks ago, nearly breaking his ankle and another set of boots with his lethal sidestep, leaving me on the sidelines and Beckenham a huge void to fill. (Fortunately, 8-year-old (supporter of the season) Willow was available to carry on the water for the team and balance was restored).

The weather was warm and bright but blowing a howling gale. Crisp line outs, accurate passing and intelligent kicking were likely going to be obligatory for both sides.

With 1,680 minutes of rugby played and 80 minutes left to decide the fate of the league, the game kicked off!

A welcome return to the side Josh Burke, was straight under the initial high swirling ball. Catching it just outside the Beckenham 22.

There are many ways to start a game of rugby. For Beckenham, seeing their 10 throw an uncharacteristic ‘show and go’ (uncharacteristic because it worked) and then stride up the field, powering through more tackles than Syndey Sweeney’s DM’s, galvanised them instantly and the team kicked immediately into gear.

For Darts, watching the weakest man from the opposition dance around half a dozen players. Dodging bodies left and right and charge 50 yards up the pitch was no doubt not the start they had pictured or wanted.

Josh was finally brought crashing to the ground with a tackle from his good friend and superior player from the opposition Billy Wilson. A great start for Beckenham.

10 minutes of pressure and a scrum stolen against the head inside the Dart’s 22, gave Beckenham a penalty. Jasper Gee, known for his quick thinking and dynamism took the tap and made the excellent decision to pass the ball straight to Beckenham outside centre Eb with only 4 people to beat. The result, a try under the posts and successful conversion.

A good restart by Dart’s, a few handling errors, too many “show and go’s” and lots of over playing, left Beckenham under pressure and struggling to clear their lines as we have seen on too many occasions this season.

Darts who are clearly no pushovers, capitalised on this. A strong scrum and quick pass from the base to Dart’s number 10 Ed Seary, allowed him to slip a tackle from the Beckenham 8 and score under the posts. Converted by himself. Halfway through the first half, the score 7 – 7.

Rugby matches often ebb and flow. Today was no different. Beckenham certainly flowed and Dartfordian’s were “Eb’d”

There were 15 minutes of further end to end rugby from the 1st and 3rd positioned teams in the league before Eb did Eb things. Only 3 people to beat this time. Eb was given a smart pass 10 metres out by the ever-professional captain for the day Rhys Roberts. This time the try slightly off centre under the posts giving man of the match Josh no chance of making the kick. The score at half time 12-7.

The restart saw Beckenham in the ascendency. The strong wind had not subsided and was now at their backs. The sun was in the eyes of the Dart’s players and the massive cheers from the home support no doubt in their minds.

An early penalty given away cheaply by Darts gave Beckenham an opportunity within Josh’s kicking range.

This was probably the most subtle but important decision made on the day. Beckenham knew they had a strong pack with an excellent set piece. Previous games would have seen ego’s take over and overconfidence kick in, to try to force a kick for touch and push over try in the corner.

Perhaps this was a sign of how much the team has grown and matured as decision makers on the field this season, coupled with the fact that they were not going to underestimate Dartfordian’s ability to turn the tide and knowing the kick would put Beckenham at least two scores ahead, posts were elected, and the kick was successful. 15-7

This really seemed to take the wind out of Dart’s sails for a while, early into the half but who could blame them? Last game of the season, into the wind and the sun, away from home, two scores needed. Today turned out not to be their day.

Minutes later, Patch Hooton was held up over the line after a strong crash ball. The goal line drop out saw a clean catch and some great phase play.

As always, Rhys Roberts, aka the most underrated centre at Beckenham kept his head and held his depth to put the ball into Kyrone’s hands on the wing about 30 metres out.

There are rumours that when the Flash raced Superman around the world, Kyrone was already standing at the finish line to greet them. The spectators who didn’t blink saw his speed in action as he sliced through the defence and dotted down close enough for Josh to kick again. 22-7

An honourable mention must go out to Jonathon the Dartfordian’s second row. All game long firing tackles into the Beckenham players, stopping a number of certain tries like a one-man army.

However, for all the defensive effort the Dart’s players showed, Beckenham’s organisation and hunger to win proved too much to contain. Will Curtis (outstanding at 9 all season) with a hack through from a dropped line out pinned the opposition back again. The goal line dropout fell to Shaq who with a few metres of open grass in front of him and only 35 metres of ground to cover, managed to negotiate himself under the posts for the bonus point try 29-7.

With nothing to lose, Dartfordian’s regathered and applied 10-15 minutes of sustained pressure to Beckenham. A good defensive set absorbed everything Dart’s threw at them including the kitchen sink and eventually gave the men in Blue and Gold a scrum on their own 5 metre line. Moments later, intelligent, strong play turned this into a line out on the Dart’s 10 metre line. Phase after phase continued from Beckenham with seconds left in the game. Aaron Adams shouting complex tactics from the sideline “Give it to Eb, just give it to Eb”

Beckemham dutifully complied and Eb picked up the ball a few metres out with only two players to beat. An Eb hat trick was a fitting end to the season. The final score 34-7.

Beckenham 2s. Champions of Kent 4!

A final message of thanks to close out the report. It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of this team and the voyage they have been on the last few seasons. It is finally time for me to hang up my boots on competitive rugby (for the second time). A huge shout out must go to Jamie and Steve Pinn for all the hours they have given up for a number of years, to help shape the young players into the team they have become. A big thanks also to the physio power couple Gary and Michelle for literally holding the players together for 22 games!