Dartmouth RFC 17 Tamar Saracens 32

This match was just what Dartmouth needed, a good fitness test against a good physical side.

Tamar came and performed really well against a weakened Dartmouth side who did their level best, but just couldn't penetrate a well-drilled Plymouth side.

Dartmouth head coach Steve Atkins wanted a side that would test Dartmouth, and he got just that.

The scoreline flattered Sarries a bit, as they took advantage of penalty opportunities to kick for goal, whereas Dartmouth ran all of their penalty chances back.

Before the kick-off, it was decided by both sides to play four 20-minute quarters and the first one was fairly even, Sarries just edging ahead with a penalty in the 19th minute.

The second quarter was fairly even as well, with Sarries grabbing a try and conversion on 15 minutes.

Dartmouth hit back with a well-worked try from a scrum, Martin Sharam passing the ball out to Aaron Hunt, who went into contact, and Sharam spun the ball out to John Dingle on the blind side.

Dingle passed to Nick Shilabeer, who popped the ball to the sprinting Simon Entwistle, who went over to the left of the posts to finish off a well-executed attacking move. 

With the first 40 minutes gone, Steve Atkins decided to ring the changes. Off came Dave Cudd for Miguel Tenreiro, off came Dan Greeno to make room for Jake Bridgwood, and off came Jerry Wiltshire to be replaced by Dave Gibson.

Straight from the kick-off of the third quarter, Dartmouth went for it and were rewarded with a superb try from Declan Hammond in the fourth minute, Dec taking the ball over from a rolling maul.

With Dartmouth still celebrating the try, Sarries hit straight back with a good converted try from within the 30-metre line, and shortly after bagged themselves a second.

Dartmouth's next try came from skipper John Dingle, who picked up an interception on the halfway line. He showed a good turn of pace to thwart the opposition, with Aaron Hunt getting the extras.

Not to be denied, Sarries hit back with their third and final try of the third quarter, topped off with the conversion.

The fourth quarter told on both sides, with Dartmouth going for the jugular with all that they had.

However, they just couldn't penetrate the well-drilled Tamar side and with just seconds remaining Sarries were awarded a penalty which they slotted over to make the final score Dartmouth 17, Tamar Saracens 32.

All credit goes to the young referee, Aaron Cross, who kept the game flowing and tempers dampened. If Dartmouth get this sort of refereeing throughout the coming season they will be more than happy.

Dartmouth have a bit of a break and are then back in the saddle on September 15 against St Columba, which will be another hard test for the players.

Hopefully players like Adam Sharam, Karl Woodgate, Carl Caunter, Will Lockerbie, Richard Lobb, Charlie Watson and Reg Varney will be back in action.

Steve Atkins would like to thank Dave Hammond for stepping up to the plate and playing the last twenty minutes, Dave gave a good account of himself and made a difference when it mattered.