DARTMOUTH defeated Withycombe 31-15 to guarantee their Devon One future for another season.

Having won 22 from 22 last season in the league below, Devon One proved far trickier for Dartmouth, who went into the final round of fixtures requiring two points to avoid being overtaken by either Exmouth Quins or Tamar Saracens.

By match day morning, Exmouth had pulled out of their trip to champions Torquay Athletic due to team-raising problems.

As Saracens were put to the sword 60-12 by their Exeter namesakes, Dartmouth would have been safe irrespective of their own outcome, not that they took anything for granted.

Dartmouth were 24-3 up at halftime with tries from Jon Dingle and Jake Bridgwood on their farewell appearances, Karl Caunter and Matt Meacock too. Jack Gordon kicked the goals.

Withies got back to 24-10 in the second half, but any thoughts of a comeback were dashed by a penalty try awarded for a dangerous tackle.