DARTMOUTH RFC won their 29th consecutive game on Saturday when they beat Fareham Heathens 41-7 in the second round of the Papa Johns Counties 3 Championship Cup.

Dartmouth and the Hampshire-based Heathens are both league champions in their divisions and both will be promoted next season.

Heathens had the heavier pack for this game and this showed in the first 25 minutes as neither team gave an inch away and the visitors held their own against Dartmouth.

The home side started moving the ball along the forwards and spinning the ball wide and it was wing Piers Benjamin who went over wide out for Dartmouth's first try.

Two minutes later, Myles Churchill scored a converted try which Sam Churchill converted. On the brink of half-time, Myles struck again as he broke tackles and ran clear to score near the posts. Sam converted for a 24-0 lead at the break.

The Darts’ discipline was lacking in both halves as they gave penalties away for high tackles and two home players were issued yellow cards. This restricted the try count in the second half. 

With 10 minutes to go, scrum-half Billy Colthart added the final try for Dartmouth with Jack Gordon converting for 41-0. Right on the final whistle, Heathens came back with a converted try but it was little more than a consolation.

Man of the match, as voted by Fareham Heathens and Dartmouth, was Dartmouth's Myles Churchill.

Dartmouth boss Andrew Tomkinson said, “Fair play to Heathens, they kept going to the end and got a try. The first 25 minutes of the game was fairly equal and the Heathens’ larger pack held their own against us.

“Then our fitness kicked in and we took control of the game. Myles Churchill was a livewire and Heathens just couldn't handle him. Our penalty count was high in the second half and that's something we must work on for next Saturday. 

“A big thank you to our supporters who came to the game and shouted for Dartmouth. They always lift the team.

“We look forward to our visit on Saturday, April 27, to Broad Plain in Bristol, who beat Gloucester Old Boys. Hopefully we can continue our success and reach the fourth round of the tournament.”

Fareham Heathens thanked Dartmouth for their hospitality. A spokesman of the visiting club said, “We wish Dartmouth well in the next round. It was a tough match but Dartmouth did not let us into the game today.”

A big thank you to Jon Pope and the staff at the Dolphin Inn for kindly sponsoring the game. Thanks must also go to Dartmouth Rowing Club for hosting both teams after the game.