Tribute Devon Two
Dartmouth RFC 10,
Old Technicians
RFC 36
Dartmouth travelled to Plymouth-based side Old Techs with only pride and third place in the league to play for.
The Dartmouth team started brightly, with a great break early on seeing them deep in the Old Techs 22, only to fall short of the try line.
From the ensuing scrum Old Techs managed to disrupt the Dartmouth ball and clear to touch. They then pressured Dartmouth and scored an unconverted try, and soon made it 12-0 on the quarter hour with a second try.
Dartmouth suffered a couple of injuries that probably interrupted their plans as Old Techs were now well in control and threatened to run riot with another try to make the scoreline 19-0. Dartmouth did manage to score three points from a penalty just before the break, though, to turn around 19-3 down.
The second half started just as the first, with a strong 10 minutes from Dartmouth resulting in Jack Stirk getting his first try, Josh Bruckner adding the conversion to make it 19-10 and all to play for.
Alas, that was as good as it got for Dartmouth with Old Techs scoring a soft fourth try to go further ahead. The home side got a further two tries, the last being a penalty try to win the game 36-10.
While Dartmouth showed plenty of endeavour this season, they probably know that they were not quite ready for the league above yet, but if the team can stay together and maybe recruit a few more players, they will be pushing for promotion next season.
Dartmouth RFC will be having a short tour to Morlaix in France on the weekend of April 15, 16 and 17.
Forty-one brave souls will be catching the ferry from Plymouth on Thursday night, with one game booked for the Saturday against a Brest XV and returning on the ferry sailing Sunday morning. There are a few places left, so if any one would like to join the Dartmouth team, contact tour manager Andy Tomkinson by email on atomkinson@
astro.co.uk.