Match Report – Mighty G’s Super 2s vs Dartford Valley

On the final day of what has been an overall good season, the Mighty G’s Super 2s took on local rivals Dartford Valley. While the 1st team sealed their place in the next round of the play-offs, their able understudies did not disappoint on the far pitch, which at this point of the season lacked any moisture whatsoever. 

The Super 2s fielded yet another side full of changes due to injuries and unavailability. Once again, it was a very youthful squad, with only club stalwart, the evergreen T-Rex Sargeant, and Fijian Army Captain Big John over the age of 30. 

There were debuts for young academy graduates Fenton-Smith, Chambers, Sims, Hampson-Pugh, Harman, and recent newcomers Big Max Steel and Lord Edmeads-Stearns of Nursted. Yes—more double-barrelled names than double-barrelled shooters down the local Dickens campsite. Anyway, enough Snatch movie nostalgia and back to what the Gravesend Academy is producing. If these lads avoid Bluewater, raving, and general life distractions away from rugby, then the future is looking very bright. 

They were joined by slightly more seasoned heads in Bettsy, Finley, Gvidis, and the great Raymondo. Rocky, a regular 1s starter, took a well-earned “holiday” with his girlfriend the week previous and bolstered the backline. The Rodney and Del Boy double act of Harv and Euan were back in action, with Kingy—the imperious kicking king—finishing the squad. 

Dartford Valley, by comparison, were more experienced, with a sprinkling of Fijian army recruits and well-drilled campaigners enjoying a strong run of form. This was always going to be a tough one for the Super 2s. 

From the kick-off, it was clear Gs needed to keep the tempo high—quick ball, width, offloads, and avoiding getting dragged into an arm wrestle with Dartford’s powerful pack. Scrums were even, lineouts were slick off the top, and defensively Gs came out firing. 

Tackles were flying in from all over—Callum Smith, Euan in the midfield, Harvey and Kingy on the wings all making serious dents in a very physical Dartford defence, which on multiple occasions was flirting with the laws of the game… but credit to them, they were smart at it. 

Gs were getting front-foot ball early, with slick play and passing between half backs Oli Harman and Finn White but kept being undone at the breakdown, with turnovers killing momentum time and time again. Callum, Rocky, Euan, and co were consistently breaking the gain line, while young Finn Pugh (Barney Magrew), Lord Stearns, and Big G were smashing attackers into the turf. 

The first 20 minutes were scrappy—scrums, penalties, resets—until some clever kicking from Captain Bettsy and sharp support play from he and Harvey created space for the scrum-capped mini powerhouse to scamper over for the opening try. 

Another followed soon after, this time from a turnover. Man of the Match Callum Smith set off from halfway and didn’t stop until he reached the try line, leaving defenders questioning eachother. Kingy added the extras. 

Dartford responded with pressure from a messy kick-off receipt, earning a penalty which they converted. They then piled on more pressure at the breakdown, with turnovers continuing to frustrate Gs and the supporters alike, as Dartford expertly pushed the limits of legality. 

Gs struggled to build momentum, and the game drifted into a stop-start battle. A penalty to Gs gave Kingy a chance from distance—and of course, he slotted it from 50 metres like it was a tap-in. 

Dartford then introduced fresh legs, including another flying Fijian, who immediately made an impact. A strong carry and offload finally got them behind the Gs defence, and they scored under the posts. Gravesend made their own changes bringing in the muscular and physical Debutant Chambers and the man mountain Big John. Both made immediate impact. 

From the restart, Gs responded well with strong carries from Smith, Rocky, Logan Sims, and Raymondo. The half ended in a tight, physical arm wrestle—both sides well and truly in it. 

Second Half –Big Scrum, Show and Go and Breakdown Mayhem. 

The second half picked up exactly where the first left off—scrappy, physical, and with Dartford still treating the breakdown like a royal rumble. Gs knew the plan: keep it fast, keep it wide, and try not to get sucked into a 15-man wrestling match every phase. Easier said than done when every ruck looked like it came with its own set of rules. 

Still, the Super 2s stuck at it. 

Big Max Steel decided subtlety wasn’t on the menu and started carrying like a man possessed. Barney Magrew (Finn Pugh) and Lord Edmeads-Stearns continued their defensive highlight reel, tackling anything that moved and bounced everywhere like a pinball machine. Young Logan Sims won lineout after lineout. The carries didn’t slow and the boys kept digging in. Big John showed his physical power with his heavy runs and and his carrying ability when on point is a site to behold, a giant of a man that holds the ball like it’s an orange and has an arse the size of Uranus….. 

The game stayed messy. DV continued their trademark breakdown interpretation (some would call it creative, others would call it organised chaos), and Gs supporters could only groan as promising attacks were repeatedly slowed or stripped. 

But then Gs finally got a bit of rhythm. 

A penalty gave Kingy an opportunity to extend the lead but misses and from the kick off DV put some pressure and Gs have a scrum in the “22. The ball isn’t cleared well and from the turnover DV score. Time for Gs to step up. 

White, Smith, Rocky, Harvey, Chambers and co all got involved as Gs finally played with tempo rather than frustration. And once that happened, things started to open up. Nice little grubber kicks in behind from Betts and Fenton-Smith were working and manufactured good lineout ball for Gs to carry and exert pressure in the DV territory and Finley White spotting something that may or may not have been a gap, he accelerated through contact, bounced a challenge or two (depending on who you ask), and was gone, in under the posts for the score. Trademark move for him this year. 

Kingy, from there, again made the conversion look like a formality. 

DV weren’t finished though. Credit to them—they kept coming, and after sustained pressure got a try from a catch and drive. It would prove to be a nervy end. 

Gs big defensive sets, key turnovers, and more than a few moments at the breakdown kept them in control. Euan put in a massive shift in midfield, Harvey ran it back like a man trying to prove a point, and Rocky returned from his “holiday” looking suspiciously fresh for someone who definitely didn’t miss any of the all-inclusive benefits while away. 

The game was finished by that barrel bellied behemoth…. Super T-Rex Sargey…. on he comes destroys a DV scrum and earns a penalty for the Gs, they kick to the corner and another penalty Jack King seals the game. 

The final stages were pure derby rugby—scrappy, loud, and slightly exhausting. DV threw everything at it, but Gs defended like their lives depended on it, before finally forcing errors and closing the game out. 

Full Time 

A gritty, chaotic, and well-earned win for the Mighty G’s Super 2s. 

Youth, energy, a bit of flair, and just enough size to get it done. Dartford Valley pushed them all the way, but Gs showed resilience, and more than a few questionable breakdown survival skills. 

With those players missing and the players from today, there must be coaches everywhere clambering to mould this team into a league winning outfit next season. Rest up boys, next season could be a big one. 

MOM-Callum Smith- the lovable rogue. 

Stay tuned for the Season Review.