Dartmouth RFC 41, Plympton Victoria 7

The Riversiders continued their

winning streak in the Devon Two league when they visited Plympton Victoria on Saturday.

The pitch is at the head of Laira Creek and the recent heavy rains and high tides had

produced a surface not unlike last year's Christmas pudding – before it had been cooked. This did not augur well for those of the running persuasion and the first half proved to be tough going.

The Darts' pack soon settled down to their afternoon's task – to dominate their opposition and ensure a good supply of ball.

In spite of spirited retaliation, this they accomplished with something to spare: concerted attacks by ball carriers John Dingle and Miguel Tenreiro, continued by their fellow forwards David Bradley and Adam Sharam, put them into Vics' half, enabling them to score.

Most of the attacks were on the right-hand side of the field, where Xavier Picot showed some Gallic flare on the the wing – often from passes supplied by Nick Shillabeer, who directed his troops from the front.

After eight minutes, following a good clearance kick by Scott Silsbury, the Darts were awarded a penalty near the Vics' end, and rather than go for goal chose to kick into the corner, driving the ball over the Vics' line from the ensuing line-out, with Budgie Hall claiming the first try, duly converted by Aaron Hunt.

This effort was repeated 10 minutes later on the other side of the field and the well-drilled Dartmouth pack drove hard and low to give Andy Williams an unconverted try.

At this stage the

forwards were almost playing too well, as a result of which the opposition forwards, having been left behind, then got in the way of further constructive play.

Then a kick by the Vics' stand-off half to the corner, following a scrum that for once the Darts did not dominate, and a chase by their winger, who then passed inside, resulted in a converted try, taking the half-time score to 12-5 in Dartmouth's favour.

With the wind now at their backs, field position was much easier to achieve and the backs became increasingly influential. Following a good run by Adam Sharam, and continued by centre Matthew Putt, a ruck was set up, from which Rory Shillabeer slipped the ball to John Dingle, coming up like a steam train, to burst over the line.

The bonus try was a beauty. Richard Lobb made an arcing run from the halfway line and timed his pass perfectly to Sam Duberley who, faced with two defenders, chipped over them into the

in-goal area, winning the sprint for the ball and achieving try

number four to take the score to 22-7.

The Stoke Fleming duo were at it again a few moments later when Lobb set up Duberley with a scissor pass for the winger to score under the posts, converted by Hunt – 29-7.

Hunt then converted another try after he contrived another scissor movement with Lobb, who left a field littered with Vics

bodies behind him.

Dartmouth continued to dominate up front, but the Vics never gave up, for which they deserve credit. They may get beaten on a fairly regular basis, but their doggedness is to be admired.

The Dartmouth

forwards, with Carl Kaunter and Jamie Kearney in the van, had the final say, however, when they pushed their opponents off the ball in a five-metre scrum, allowing Andy Williams to score his second try of the game – a victory of 41-7.

Dartmouth are playing well – they are now fifth in the league – and the influx of young players continues. This combination of experience and youth is

exactly what the club and its coaches need – long may it continue.