Tribute Devon One

Dartmouth RFC 10,

Totnes RFC  3

Dartmouth at last have their elusive win, with thanks to the large crowd that turned up and spurred the lads on. 

It was a well deserved win and Dartmouth could and should have beaten Totnes by a bigger margin.

Dartmouth's forwards dominated in the scrums and contested in the lineouts. Andy Williams, voted man-of-the-match, showed that age is a number not a burden, having one his best games for a while.

Carl Caunter gave his usual 100 per cent and was close to man-of-the-match, but all in all it was a team performance that won Dartmouth this local derby.

Skipper Reg Varney asked his men to play and enjoy the game and enjoy they did.

Richard Lobb again found his kicking boots, gaining Dartmouth five points and a bit more confidence going into the next game, albeit not until January 12.

It was Lobb who got Dartmouth on the score sheet first with a penalty with four minutes gone, punting the ball over with ease.

With nerves settled, from then on Dartmouth started to play some really good rugby, counter rucking the ball, pushing Tots around the park with their rolling mauls, and generally frustrating the visitors.

Dartmouth would have felt a bit hard done by with just fifteen minutes gone when Martin Sharam went over but the official adjudged that the ball was held up.

Just after that Totnes got back into the game with a penalty of their own, George Palk slotting the ball over to bring the game level, and that's the way it stayed up till half time.

Reg Varney gave his men some praise and asked them to give him another 40 minutes like the last 40 and a win could be on the cards.

Dartmouth came out fully determined and again got their rolling mauls going, Dartmouth pressing all the time but it was fifteen minutes from the start of the second half before Dartmouth would score. 

Dartmouth, winning a scrum against the head just outside Totnes' 22, set up a rolling maul.

Totnes had no answer to Dartmouth's forwards, Carl Caunter making sure this time for the referee, who saw him slam the ball to the ground for a well worked try, Lobb kicking the extra two points.

Totnes tried to penetrate this determined Dartmouth side for the last quater of the game but Dartmouth were having none of it, the defence and the determination was superb, nothing was going to take the points off this well drilled Dartmouth side. 

With the final whistle blown the crowd and the players were ecstatic.

Adrian Rendle kindly sponsored DRFC with much needed match balls and the lads really appreciated the very kind gift.

Dartmouth have a long break now and coaches Steve Atkins, Lee Chase and Chris Chater will 'keep calm and carry on' training over the Christmas period, to get the lads ready for South Molton in the Devon Junior Cup, at Molton.

All that remains, is for Dartmouth Rugby Football Club to wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year and for those who turn up every Saturday, thank you and to the ones who can't make it for one reason or another, keep reading the reports.