Tribute Devon One

South Molton 20,

The elusive big win that Steve Atkins is waiting for is within touching distance and it will come, but the question is when?

Yet another injury disturbed Dartmouth's progress, this time Carl Woodgate almost dislocating his knee.

Luckily for Chunkey, it would seem everything has settled down, knee wise. Karl Caunter, Charlie Watson, Tom Jones, Aaron Hunt and Ben Peters are still recovering from injuries.

Luke Clement, Jake Bridgwood, Sausage Hammond and Jerry Wiltshire were not being able to make the journey due to work commitments.

But for a few dubious decisions from the official, Dartmouth may have come away with at least a draw.

Take nothing away from South Molton, they are a good physical team especially up front, but they were there for the taking.

So much for skipper Reg Varney's quote of the day, during the warm up: 'I've got the referee in my back pocket'!

The game started off pretty even and with Carl Woodgate coming off with a knee injury in the first eight minutes, Miguel Tenreiro stepped in, giving a good account of himself.

However, it was South Molton who broke the deadlock with a penalty with 23 minutes gone and that's the way it stayed until half-time.

The team talk had no effect on Dartmouth because South Molton were on the score board just one minute from the restart. Dartmouth took the kick, South Molton's winger received the ball and sliced through the Dartmouth defence.

Dartmouth, stunned by the try, hit back ten minutes later with a penalty from Richard Lobb.

Dartmouth, again getting back into the game, were then hit by an attack from Molton.

There was another dubious decision, with Molton players appearing to cross, but the referee told Dartmouth to play on and Molton went over for the second try, taking the score to 13-3.

Dartmouth, still in touching distance, hit back again with another penalty from Richard Lobb, edging closer to Molton's score at a converted score behind.

With thirteen minutes left on the clock, South Molton scored another try, this time right under the posts, making the conversion a formality.

Five minutes later Dartmouth hit back, Nick Shillabeer forcing his way over to the far left hand side, but it was too little too late, the final score staying at 20-11.

It will be back to the drawing board again for coaches Steve Atkins, Chris Chater and Lee Chase for Dartmouth's home game against Topsham.

This game will be at the very least an eight-pointer. If Dartmouth can win it will leap frog them up the table above Topsham and possibly above Torrington, but Dartmouth have to get some consistency back in their game.

The home game this week against Topsham will be a 2.30pm kick-off and your support will be essential for the lads, so come up to Norton Playing Fields and give the lads something to fight for.

After the game Mick and Kathy Chambers, the new landlord and landlady of The Seale Arms, will be hosting, and would love not just the teams but the supporters too to come down to The Seales and enjoy a glass or two of beverages.