Pitchero

Dartmouth

Old Technicians

R Varney

Tries

J Clark

Conversions

Penalties

Sat 11 Mar 14:15 - South West Division - Tribute Devon 2 Full time

Report

Highlights

Selection

League round up

Dartmouth RFC 7 Old Technicians 15

By Andrew Tomkinson

Old Techs victorious in battle of the top two

Dartmouth RFC v OLD TECHS RFC
Devon League Two
Old Techs win 15 – 7

All though all ready champions, Dartmouth were hoping for another win last Saturday
which would have been the perfect riposte to their season, being a 14 match winning run in
the league. Though their guests Old Techs, who were in second place and also promoted,
were sure to be a stern test and would be trying to spoil the Darts party.
Dartmouth were without several key players in the pack, and so it was a testament
to the current squad strength that a competitive team was fielded, with five replacements
if needed. Old Techs kicked off and with both teams fired up, their was a real frisson to
the early stages of the game with both teams giving no quarter, but it was the Darts who
were able to break the deadlock when after a penalty, they went for their familiar
trademark move off kicking to the corner, then a catch & drive, with Reg Varney taking
control at the back of the moving behemoth that was the Dartmouth pack, and it was no
surprise to see the ball end up over the touchline, Jack Clark made easy work of the
conversion, to see Dartmouth 7 - 0 up as we headed to the break. Unusually for the Darts,
their discipline was suspect, and after missing a couple of penalty chances the Old Techs
fly half finally nailed one just before the break. So as the teams changed round at half
time, Dartmouth held a slender four point lead.
Dartmouth were now in place to up the intensity of their game and take control as
they have so many times in the past year, but to Old Techs credit, it was the away team
that moved through the gears in the second half, frustrating Dartmouth with a good
defence and turning over plenty of ball allowing them to attack the Dartmouth line. It was
only a matter of time before they scored, and though Dartmouth defended well the ball
was finally grounded, unable to add the conversion the game was on a knife edge with Old
Techs one point ahead. But try as they might the Darts could not get their game together
and for the last quarter it was the away team that were looking most likely to score. And
perhaps tellingly it was from a line out, pick and drive that Old Techs 'hammered the final
nail in coffin' of the Dartmouth team and scored the decisive try, this time the conversion
was well taken and Old Techs were two scores ahead with very little time on the clock. As
the final whistle blew, Old Techs were jubilant and the Darts somewhat crestfallen,
nevertheless the better team won on the day, though not from want of effort from the
Dartmouth team.
In the clubhouse after the match, with time to reflect, the Dartmouth team have
still had a magnificent season so far, with the league title wrapped up, and the Devon
Junior Cup to play for on consecutive weekends. The next Dartmouth home game is on
the 25th March at home to Buckfastleigh Ramblers in the Cup. The Dartmouth team travel
to Waterford, Ireland on Thursday 16th for a short tour, to take in St. Patricks Day, play
Waterford Park RFC and then watch England try and make their own perfect Six Nations
finish, before catching the ferry home on Sunday 19th March.

Report by Andy Williams

23 photos

Match photos

Try

Reg Varney

Star Player

Tom Clark