Dartmouth RFC won their 29th consecutive game last Saturday when they welcomed Fareham Heathens RFC from Hampshire in the 2nd round of the Papa Johns National Community shield.
Heathens had made the three and a half hour journey from the Portsmouth area to play this game.
Darts made the same journey last season in a game that was a very close affair.
However, Dartmouth have vastly improved since last season, with an unbeaten run which has seen the team pick up last year's Papa Johns community shield, Devon Junior Bowl and were voted the best team in Devon & England at their level.
Heathens & Dartmouth are both league winners in their own divisions and both will be promoted next season.

A bumper crowd in glorious sunshine watched the game on Norton Field.

Heathens had the heavier pack for this game and this showed in the first 25 minutes , when neither team gave an inch away and the visitors held their own against Dartmouth .

On 30 minutes, it appeared that Darts had that light bulb moment ,when everything clicked into place, as the Heathens pack tired.
The home side started moving the ball via the forwards and spinning the ball wide and it was wing Piers Benjamin who went over wide out for Dartmouth's first try.
5-0.
2 minutes later number 6 Myles Churchill scored a converted try.( Sam Churchill conversion) 12-0
The number 6 was breaking tackles with his upper body power strength, which Heathens had no answer to. Once Myles had broken the game line, the ball was moved in open play and beyond the visitors defence.
Piers Benjamin was on hand for his second try taking the score to 17-0.
Just on half time Myles Churchill struck again, peeling from a lineout he broke tackles and ran clear to score near the posts. Sam Churchill conversion.
Half time Dartmouth 24 points, Heathens 0.

On 15mins into the second half, centre Matt Ford broke free for Dartmouth to score in the corner. 31-0
Darts discipline was lacking in both halves as they gave penalties away for high tackles and two home side players received yellow cards. This restricted the try count in the second half.
Sam Churchill at number 10 was rested in the 2nd half and replaced by Richard Lobb, whilst Jack Gordon reverted to full back.
Flash Gordon added 3 points for Dartmouth when the visitors were penalised.
34-0 .
With 10 minutes to go, Scrum half Billy Colthart added the final try for Dartmouth with Jack Gordon converting 41-0.
Right on the final whistle, Heathens came back with a converted try.
Final Score Dartmouth RFC 41 points. Fareham Heathens RFC 7 points.

Man of the match voted by Fareham Heathens and Dartmouth was Dartmouth's number 6 Myles Churchill.

Dartmouth Team Manager Andrew Tomkinson said after the game,
" Fair play to Heathens, they kept going to the end and got a try. The first 25 minutes of the game was fairly equal and the Heathens larger pack held their own against us. Then our fitness kicked in and we took control of the game. Myles Churchill was a livewire and Heathens just couldn't handle him. Our penalty count was high in the second half and that's something we must work on for next Saturday.
A big thank you to our supporters who came to the game and shouted for Dartmouth. They always lift the team.
We look forward to our visit on Saturday 27 th April to Broad Plain RFC in Bristol who beat Gloucester Old Boys and hopefully we can continue our success and reach the 4th round of the Papa Johns community shield."

Fareham Heathens RFC thanked Dartmouth for their hospitality and a spokesman said, " We wish Dartmouth well in the next round. It was a tough match, but Dartmouth did not let us into the game today "

Dartmouth RFC winning cup squad.
Ryan Burrows. Tom Clark ( VC) Matt Meacock. Aaran Watkins.
Brogan Taylor. Myles Churchill. Lewis Sharam. Karl Caunter ( Capt)
Billy Colthart. Sam Churchill ( VC) Piers Benjamin. Jake Bridgwood.
Matt Ford. Jack Gordon. Richard Lobb. Luke Bridgwood. Kyle McGhee.
Xavier Picot. Fred Bancroft. Josh Squires. Jaime Kearney. Lian Hitchcock.

A big thank you to Jon Pope & staff at the Dolphin Inn for kindly sponsoring the game.
Thanks must also go to Dartmouth Rowing club for hosting both teams after the game.

Photographs courtesy of Freya Bradley.

Press release

Dick Evans
Press Officer
Dartmouth Rugby Football Club.

Mob 07847 141 240.