South West Division Tribute Devon Two

Buckfastleigh RFC 27,

Dartmouth RFC 30

Dartmouth were away to Buckfastleigh last Saturday, and with both teams in a three-way spilt at the top of the table, it promised to be an exciting game. The ground was wet but the weather held fair. Dartmouth were at full strength with a debut on the wing for Jack Gordon.

The visitors started strongly and were on the scoreboard with a penalty for Richard Lobb after three minutes. The first half hour was all Dartmouth, with a further penalty from Lobb and, after a period of sustained pressure from Dartmouth, a charge down ensued from prop Reg Varney, who collected the ball and cantered over for a try. Lobb was unable to add the conversion, but the away side had a handy 11-point cushion. Towards the end of the half Buckfastleigh managed a try of their own through Matt Wrayford, with the conversion from Harry Laity.

Dartmouth, 7-11 up, started the second half with a couple of personnel changes: Luke Bonstow, back from injury, was on at centre for the injured Caunter and Dan Cole took the place of Dan Jones on the wing. After losing a player to the sin bin, Dartmouth were on the wrong side of three penalties in quick succession, which turned the score around to 16-11 to the Ramblers.

Dartmouth were all at sea and lost a further two players to petulant yellows, while the Ramblers took advantage to score an unconverted try from Ryan Currie – 24-11 to the home side, who must have thought the game was theirs for the taking.

Now back to 14 men, the Dartmouth forwards drove their way to the Ramblers’ try line with player/coach Tom Clark touching down. Five minutes later the pack delivered again with a try from Declan Hammond; Lobb converted from under the posts to make it 23-24 with five minutes to go.

With Dartmouth on the attack their chance came with a penalty for playing the ball on the floor. Lobb had to go for it, but it was a fair way out and, with the wind gusting across the kick, it sailed wide.

From the resulting kick-off Buckfastleigh secured a penalty, which their fly half scored to make it 27-23 with only a couple of minutes to play. Dartmouth now had to start all over again, but with numerous pick and gos, playing through phase after phase, all the time knowing one mistake would be it, they worked their way to the Ramblers’ try line; the pack seemed to stall for an age right on the line before Declan Hammond used his powerful bulk to dot the ball over the line for his ­second try of the game. Lobb ­converted and the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.

This was a great result for the Dartmouth team, which displayed a never-say-die attitude, and one that will stand them in good stead for the games to come. With the same aggression, spirit and a tad more discipline, it could be a lot more comfortable.

Dartmouth are back in action at home to an Ivybridge II team on Saturday in the South Hams Cup – kick-off is at 2.30pm.