Brixham 3rds 27, Dartmouth 27

DARTMOUTH can take a great deal of heart from last weekend's stirring draw at Brixham 3rds as they continue their promotion push from Devon Two tomorrow.The Riversiders, who are third, three points behind second-place Ilfracombe with a game in hand, face a must-win match at lowly Plymouth Argaum.But if they repeat last weekend's tremendous performance, then anything should be possible.It was a game when boys became men, in particular Adam Sharam, who played his heart out. Every tackle, every run, every scrum, ruck and maul, he was there for them all and he gave this game 100 per cent. He therefore was a deserved man of the match for DartmouthDan Greeno, Dave Gibson and Colin Wilson all had a good run-out, too, while Dartmouth's totemic number 8 John Dingle made a welcome return to action and led by example. Dartmouth went to Astley Park with the bare 15 players and, if they had had a few replacements, they probably would have won it. Joint coach Nick Shillabeer thought he was going to have the luxury of having a rest but, due to players dropping out, he had to play. The game started with Dartmouth dominating and, with just six minutes on the clock, the Riversiders were awarded a penalty and decided to run it.Brixham held up well but, four minutes later, Dartmouth were awarded another penalty and this time skipper John Dingle asked his trusty kicker, Aaron Hunt to put the ball over for three points. He didn't disappoint and Dartmouth were 3-0 up with 10 minutes gone. Brixham hit back four minutes later with a good run from Dave Langmead, who touched down the ball under the posts for an easy conversion to take Brixham 7-3 ahead. Dartmouth hit back again with a well-worked training ground move involving Dave Cudd, Nick Shillabeer and Steven (Budgie) Hall.The Riversiders pushed Brixham back from the scrum, formed a ruck and, following quick ball from Colin Wilson, the ball was played out to Dartmouth's perfect 10 Richard Lobb. He powered his way over for try number one for Dartmouth, Aaron Hunt adding the extras.Joint coach Nick Shillabeer, not to be outdone, helped himself to try number two for the Riversiders after he picked the ball up from open play and went over to the far right of the posts. Brixham could only reply with a penalty before skipper John Dingle organised the Dartmouth scrum, pushing the Fishermen back again.The Rivesiders rolled the scrum and John Dingle touched the down from the back of it. Aaron Hunt slotted over the conversion to take the score to Dartmouth 22,  Brixham 10 at half-time.Brixham, sensing defeat, had the luxury of bringing on six replacements, and within 20 minutes of the restart this tactic paid off and they scored two tries in quick concession and slotted the conversions. The Riversiders could only reply with another dominated scrum and John Dingle went over again for a try, but the match was taking its toll on players like Jerry Wiltshire and Carl Woodgate, who was just returning from injury.With just minutes to go, Dartmouth gave away a penalty and Brixham took full advantage and slotted the ball over to draw the game.