DARTMOUTH took a huge step towards safety in Devon One by beating Exmouth Quins 29-7 at Norton.

Wins over teams below in the table are effectively ‘double-pointers’ – and this one nudged Dartmouth nine points clear of second bottom, which is currently occupied by Exmouth.

Dartmouth are not quite safe yet as there are 10 points still to play for, but the odds on them not getting the point they need look remote.

Exmouth scored a converted try in the first minute but Dartmouth went 10-7 up before halftime, which was despite losing Carl Woodgate to the sin-bin for a tackle offence.

Problems mounted up for Dartmouth in the second half as a quartet of injuries emptied the bench and left the team one man short.

Despite being short-handed, Dartmouth added three more tries.

Dartmouth’s try scorers were Karl Caunter, Fred Bancroft, John Dingle and Jake Bridgwood. Jack Gordon kicked three conversions and a penalty. Man of the match went to Lewis Sharam.