Trains, planes and automobiles

The phoenix that is Dartforians Vets rose from the ashes to play their first fixture in three seasons.

Their opponents had admirably travelled by train,cab and on foot to make the early kick-off and were rewarded with a Memorial Ground basking in autumnal sunshine.

Joe Carey kindly "volunteered" to prop for Crawley and the game was on.

Both sides threw themselves into the action and the standard of play was nearly as high as the average age of the players.Darts gradually asserted some form of forward authority to which their backs repaid with two smart tries from Dave Phillips and debutant Tony Chappel.

The game became even more intense ,which unfortunately saw the Crawley loose-head pull his calf muscle,but Steve Lockwood stepped in to help,if only on the wing.In the confusion the "smaller" Griffiths flopped over for another try.

The second half was much of the same ,with Darts pack gradually squeezing the life out of their game opponents and the backs reaping the rewards.Further tries for Ian Shanks,"dont call me Rat" Grimstead and Paul Nathan followed,with Shanks and Nathan converting their own efforts.

In the midst of this,Crawley scored a marvellous try,bamboozling Phillips and Nathan,allowing Lockwood to set-up Andy Rychlowski for the score.

As excellent ref Tim Geoghegan blew for no-side the score stood at 34-5.

Both side enjoyed the game and plans were soon hatched for the return fixture in January.