Tribute Devon One

Topsham 13

When Dartmouth travelled to Topsham back in November of last year, they were totally outplayed by the home side and walked off the pitch with their heaviest defeat in many years.

Dartmouth were hoping to put that memory behind them as they welcomed back seven players that were not available for that game.

After an early morning pitch inspection, the pitch was deemed playable and it was Dartmouth that kicked the game off, playing into the wind for the first half.

It only took the Riversiders five minutes to lay the marker down as the forwards got off to a great start, allowing Dec Hammond to get the ball over the line to score the first try of the afternoon and his fifth of the season. Jack Clark going just wide with the conversion meant the score stayed at 5-0.

On the 12-minute mark Topsham were awarded a penalty on the Dartmouth 22m line and with the wind behind them went for the three points to reduce the deficit to 5-3.

Dartmouth, guilty of giving away silly penalties all season, did not take the referee’s warning and Topsham took the lead on 16 minutes when they were awarded another penalty in almost the same position which was converted for a 5-6 lead.

That was about as good as it got, though, for Topsham in the first half as Dartmouth then took full control of the game, dominating the scrum and with Ricky Seymour in fine form, Dartmouth were not only winning their own line-outs but winning the Topsham throws as well.

With half-time looming Dartmouth then produced a great move; with both Sam Pearson and Ricky Seymour combining well on the right wing, it was centre Sam Pearson who burst through to score his sixth try of the season in the corner. Luke Chase had the angle on the conversion, but the wind held it up and it fell just short.

The half-time whistle went with Dartmouth leading 10-6.

Dartmouth continued the second half as they ended the first half and were well on top, with Topsham not really threatening going forward and all the play in the Topsham half.

On 52 minutes Dartmouth made their first change, with fly-half Luke Chase going off to get assessed and full-back Luke Bonstow coming on.

A quick shuffle in the Dartmouth backs saw Aaron Hunt move to fly-half. Dartmouth have not had the best of luck with injuries this season, so it was a very welcome return for number eight Jason Gibbs in the starting line-up.

In typical fashion Gibbsy made his presence count on 58 minutes; with Dartmouth driving forward at pace, he found himself at the back of the maul and grounded the ball over the line to score Dartmouth’s third try of the day. With Jack Clark slotting the conversion, it took Dartmouth’s lead to 17-6.

Another change for Dartmouth followed, with Jack Stirk coming on for Dec Hammond. Five minutes later Dec found himself back on again as Jason Gibbs was applauded off.

Topsham did have a late fight back and narrowed the score to 17-13 on 67 minutes when they managed to break down a resolute Dartmouth defence to score a converted try which left a nervy final 10 minutes.

There were some last changes for Dartmouth, with Luke Chase coming back on for Aaron Hunt and Dan Jones replacing Dec Hammond.

Dartmouth had a late chance to go for the bonus point but an excellent move from the forwards resulted in Karl Caunter getting tackled just before the line and Topsham clearing their lines.

There was still time for Jake Bridgwood to receive a yellow card on 80 minutes for dissent, but Dartmouth held on for a thoroughly deserved victory over one of the title favourites in Devon One. Flanker Ricky Seymour did not miss a tackle all day and was deservedly given the man-of-the-match award.

Dartmouth now travel to Ernesettle in Plymouth to take on Tamar Saracens on January 13 with a 2.30pm kick-off.