Totnes v Dartmouth 24-02-18
Tribute Devon 1
Totnes RFC 19 – 19 Dartmouth RFC
Dartmouth made the short trip to Totnes looking to put the disappointing defeat against Old
Techs last week behind them and secure 3rd place in Devon 1 with a win over their local
rivals who started the day 1 place and 11 points behind them.
Totnes kicked off and immediately settled into the match with a try after 5 minutes and took
an early 7-0 lead. Injury to Dartmouth’s young Ryan Burrows meant an early change with
Glenn Allison replacing him. A yellow card on 22 minutes for the Totnes No 6 meant
Dartmouth had the extra man for 10 minutes and they immediately took full advantage. A
great turnover from scrum half Jack Clark saw him run at the Totnes defence before
offloading to Richard Lobb who found Centre Dave Champion out on the wing and he made
no mistake running over the try line in the corner to make it 7-5. Only 2 minutes later and
some slick passing from Dartmouth saw Josh Bruckner finish a fine move off by scoring in
the same corner. Dave Champion added the extras to take the score to 7-12. Dartmouth now
taking control of the first half added a third try when Karl Caunter broke clear and found
hooker Nick Shillabeer in space and he scored in the opposite corner. Champion again added
the conversion to leave Dartmouth leading at half time 7-19.
One half time change for Dartmouth saw Josh Bruckner get replaced by Sam Pearson on the
wing. A yellow card for Glenn Allison early in the second half meant it was Dartmouth’s turn
to defend with 14 men for 10 minutes whilst Totnes picked up momentum. A horrible injury
to full back Luke Bonstow saw him carried off the pitch with what later turned out to be a
fractured ankle which will side-line him now for the rest of the season. With twenty minutes
to go Totnes started to take control of the second half just like Dartmouth had done in the first
half and ran in 2 tries in 4 minutes. With 1 conversion kicked it meant the scores were level at
19-19 with 14 minutes left. Dartmouth bought on Dom Calvert for Glenn Allison and really
went for it in the last 10 minutes and came close on 76 minutes when Dartmouth were
awarded a penalty in-between the Totnes 22 and 10 meter line but Champion sent the kick
just wide and Dartmouth had to settle for the draw which on reflection was a fair result.
Dartmouth can guarantee a 3rd place finish in the league by securing a bonus point win away
at Tamar Saracens next week, anything less and Totnes could pip them as they have 3 games
left to play.
Dartmouth now travel to Plymouth to take on Tamar Saracens this Saturday 3rd February in
their last league game of the season with a 14.30 KO.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | South Molton | 14 | 60 |
2. | Topsham | 14 | 59 |
3. | Dartmouth | 14 | 39 |
4. | Totnes | 14 | 38 |
5. | Tamar Saracens | 14 | 24 |
6. | New Cross | 14 | 20 |
7. | Exeter Saracens | 14 | 18 |