Dartmouth RFC 12 Buckfastleigh Ramblers RFC 16

Dartmouth beaten at home by Ramblers 12-16

Dartmouth RFC v Buckfastleigh Ramblers RFC 15-09-18
Tribute Devon 1

Dartmouth 12 Buckfastleigh 16

Dartmouth welcomed Buckfastleigh Ramblers to Norton for their first home league match of the season in Devon 1. Recent meetings between these two sides have always been close with usually only a few points in it so Dartmouth knew they would be up for a tough match.
It was Buckfastleigh that kicked the match off and Dartmouth were soon forced into an early change with Alex Parrott being replaced by Fred Bancroft whilst he received treatment. The early stages of the match were even with both teams not giving much away. Dartmouth were awarded a penalty on 23 minutes but failed to take advantage with David Champion kicking just wide. 5 minutes later and it was 0-3 to the Ramblers as they made no mistake from a penalty given. That seemed to spur Buckfastleigh on and with a long clearance kicked towards the Dartmouth line the Ramblers applied the pressure on the Dartmouth fullback. The ball did not bounce favourably for Josh Bruckner and the Ramblers were able to pounce on the loose ball for the first try of the match. The conversion was missed and Buckfastleigh were 0-8 in front. With half time looming Dartmouth gave away another cheap penalty and Buckfastleigh put another 3 points onto the score to make it 0-11 before the whistle went for half time.

Two changes at half time saw Karl Caunter and Dec Hammond make way for Tom Clark and Koree Britton. The start of the second half was very much the same as the first with both sides cancelling each other out until the 58th minute when Buckfastleigh found another gap in the Dartmouth defence and scored another unconverted try to make it 0-16. There was then a long delay in the match as Buckfastleigh had a player treated and carried off as an ambulance was called for a suspected broken ankle. All of Dartmouth RFC wish him a speedy recovery. With Dartmouth starring at defeat they threw everything they had at the Ramblers and Dec Hammond and Piers Benjamin were brought on to replace Jaime Kearney and Myles Churchill for the last 20 minutes. With Dartmouth now camped on the Buckfastleigh 5 meter line it was just a matter of time and on 68 minutes Dec Hammond scored a pack try when he managed to get the ball down over the line. David Champion made it 7-16 with the conversion and Dartmouth went again. Koree Britton scored another try on 76 minutes as Dartmouth kept up the pressure but with the conversion going wide it left the score at 12-16 which is how the match ended.
Dartmouth need to improve on their discipline if they are to make an impact on the league this season and they have a lot to work on in training but with several young players being integrated into the team they will only get better and the training ground will be key for this season.

Dartmouth would like to thank everyone at Platform 1 Bar and Restaurant for making both teams feel so welcome in the new clubhouse after the match and a big thank you to Hermitage Plastering for sponsoring the match.

Dartmouth will now play Kingsbridge A XV this Saturday 22nd September in a development match at Norton Playing Fields with a 15.00 kick off. All support is much appreciated.