Tribute Devon Two

Dartmouth 7,

Old Technicians 15

Dartmouth started their league campaign with a game at home against Plymouth side Old Technicians.

The two sides have not met for a couple of seasons as Old Techs have been plying their trade in Devon One but were relegated last season.

So the home side knew they had a stern test as the opposition were sure to want a successful start to the new season and Old Techs have always been known for their abrasive style of play.

Dartmouth had a full squad available with Jose Arjona making a debut on the wing for his first start, Adam Sharam back in the second row after WEARA rowing commitments and captain John Din­gle returned to the back row.

Dartmouth got off to a good start, with Din­gle scoring an early try on the eight-minute mark through good running and an off-load from centre Karl Caun­ter. Fly-half Richard Lobb converted to make it 7-0.

After 24 minutes Dartmouth were forced to make a change when centre Luke Bonstow pulled his hamstring and was replaced by Luke Lang at full-back, with Xavi moving to the centre.

On about the 30-minute mark Old Techs scored a try but missed the conversion to make it 7-5, a score that remained the same until half time.

The teams turned around with both teams finding it hard to create any chances, which was the way it stayed until 10 minutes into the second half when the referee decided that Dartmouth were giving away to many penalties.

He then proceeded to yellow card three Dartmouth players in quick succession, a series of decisions that Dartmouth found hard to fathom.

The 12-man Dart­mouth tackled manfully and managed to restrict Old Techs to one penalty score, 7-8 to the away side.

Dartmouth back to 14 men, were now on parity as the Old Techs team found their fly-half sin binned for a high tackle, which gave Dartmouth a chance at goal. Lobb seemed to make a good connection with the ball, but it sailed narrowly wide of the upright to leave the score still 7-8 to Old Techs.

With time slipping away, Dartmouth were making all the running to score the winning points, but came un­stuck when a couple of missed tackles enabled the Old Techs full back to score under the posts, with the conversion added to make it 7-15 to Old Techs.

Dartmouth still had not given up and thought they had scored a try right at the death, but the referee deemed the ball to have been held up. From the ensuing scrum, Old Techs managed to win the ball and kicked the ball into touch to end the game.

Although losing the game, the Dartmouth team contested well, with all the team tackling hard and the Dart­mouth line-out showing great improvement on past weeks.

And if not for the flurry of yellow cards, could have come out on top.

The Darts are away to a Kingsbridge second team next week and as holders of the South Hams Cup will be keen to retain this trophy, which will be up for grabs.

Kick-off 2.30pm at High House.