Darlington got off to a flying start, taking full advantage of what seemed to be a harsh penalty for holding on at a tackle to put the ball through the hands from the resultant attacking lineout, creating room for No 8 Joe Craggs to crash over for an unconverted try after 4 minutes. Stortford threatened from the restart but could not break down a stubborn DMP defence and found themselves 10 points down with 12 minutes on the clock, after powerful winger, Morgan Passman shrugged off three attempted tackles to touch down out wide. Worse was to come for the visitors with DMP No. 6, Yaree Fantini breaking away from a lineout some 40 metres out to dodge his way over for a solo try, with barely a hand laid on him. The conversion attempt went wide, but a 17 point deficit looked ominous for Stortford. Showing considerable character, though, they fought their way slowly back into the game and were unlucky not to score from a period of pressure on the home line. Eventually, though it was a great break from deep by Charlie Parkhouse, running back a DMP kick that set up crucial position and quick hands led to Austin Pope being tackled just short. A penalty was given at the breakdown as a desperately scrambling defence were forced to offend, bringing a yellow card for Callum Mackenzie. Stortford opted for two penalty scrums in a row and Jacob Wrafter crashed over for an unconverted try from the second, with 4 minutes of the half left. From the restart a good run by Jake Morris put the visitors back on the attack and a high tackle produced a penalty, which went to touch and the resultant driving maul saw Alex Rayment touch down. An excellent conversion from Dan Cole sent his side in for the break a mere 5 points behind.

Stortford started the second half with renewed confidence and looked to have created a try up the middle with some slick handling, only for play to be called back for some off the ball incident and a penalty to DMP. Undaunted, though, the visitors were soon back on the front foot and Joss Linney levelled the scores with an unconverted try, going blind from the back of a driving maul 5 metres out with only 5 minutes of the half gone. The home side had a chance to pull ahead again 6 minutes later, when an extra 10 yards at a penalty put it in range of goal but the kick drifted just wide. After 19 minutes it looked as if Wrafter had snatched the lead for Stortford, but the assistant ref disallowed it for a contentious knock-on. Almost immediately afterwards, DMP was again reduced to 14 men, when backrow Dave Fisher was red-carded for a dangerous clear-out and the visitors took full advantage 4 minutes later, when Linney ran in his second try. This came from good lineout ball spread swiftly to the right, where an excellent long miss-pass from Cole allowed James Thacker to commit the last defender and put the winger clear. The conversion attempt again went agonisingly wide. The home side finally worked their way back into the game and, courtesy of a couple of penalties found themselves with two 5 metre lineouts, from which, despite some stout Stortford defence, they were finally able to force their way over for a try to Liam Checksfield. Replacement flyhalf, Matt Minogue nailed a great conversion to take his team 2 points ahead. Stortford threw themselves back onto the attack, but it looked as if a breakdown penalty from a bit of over-exuberance might have snuffed out their chances. The hosts, though made a couple of mistakes of their own and Stortford were awarded a penalty just inside the home half. Up stepped Cole to call for the kicking tee and the ball sailed yards over the posts for a fantastic goal, taking the visitors into a one point lead. With only 2 or 3 minutes to go, there were more than a few nervous tics among the numerous travelling supporters, as Stortford ran through several phases of one-out rugby on their own 22, but a breakdown penalty was won, triggering great celebrations, as the touch kick brought the final whistle.