IVYBRIDGE claimed their first National Three South West away win with a tremendous 27-20 victory at Devon rivals Newton Abbot.
It moves Ivybridge up to second in the table behind Barnstaple, who are the only team to have beaten the South Hams side since their promotion to level five.
Saturday was the Bridgers third straight Devon derby win, following on from their home successes over Exmouth and Brixham.
What was particularly pleasing for Ivybridge was their latest win came against a team with a formidable home record and was achieved despite suffering injuries to key players during the match.
Player-coach Neil Paterson (pictured) had to go off at half-time with a painful foot injury, while the visitors also lost back-row forwards Dan Jones and Alex Hall. They ended the match with a prop in the back-row, but they still managed to pick up a full five points.
They scored five tries at Rackerhayes courtesy of Jones, Billy Pinkus, Tom Scoles, Mike Cox and John Morgan.
Matt Grieveson could only manage one conversion on his 100th appearance for the club but his overall performance earned praise.
“Matt Grieveson produced a really good performance,” said player-coach Paterson. “It was his 100th cap for the club and he played very well. He’s only 21 but has already made 100 first team appearances for the club.”
Paterson added: “It was another really good win and another great team performance against a good side.
“Newton Abbot are a good side, which makes the win more pleasing.”
Ivybridge’s only other away match this term was at Barnstaple, where the home side scored a late try to win 25-23.
“That Barnstaple defeat hurt,” said Paterson. “We were unfortunate not to walk away with the win.
“But on Saturday against Newton Abbot we really took our opportunities.
“And the team showed some real grit and character when we got those injuries to grind out the win. Newton Abbot came back at us but we held them out.”
Paterson is hoping his injury his not too serious, but he and the rest of the team will have chance to get over them as the club do not have a league match next week.
WESTERN COUNTIES WEST
In Western Counties West, newcomers Saltash moved up into the top five with 45-38 win at home to Wadebridge Camels.
Saltash looked like they were going to cruise to victory when they went 21-0 up, 28-7 and 45-19 up but they found themselves hanging on at the end as Wadebridge mounted a late fight-back.
The Ashes made a storming start and had scored three converted tries in the first 12 minutes. First, Todd Croft went over on the right, then Will Morton crossed after a turnover and then Max Venables put Shaun Crawford in for number three.
Wadebridge responded with a converted try by Dan Hawken before Callum Cload got Saltash’s all-important fourth on 30 minutes.
Matt Ballard went over for the Camels to make it 28-14 but before half-time replacement Jason Carroll claimed a fifth for the home side to leave the score at 35-14.
Wadebridge’s Harry Baker reduced the arrears after the break before Crofts added a penalty and scored a try, which he converted, to make it 45-19.
Saltash did not appear in any danger at that point, but suddenly Wadebridge took over the game and tries by Joe Pretty, Jack Salt and Will Pengelly earned them two bonus points.
Devonport Services suffered a second narrow defeat at the hands of Sidmouth in seven days.
Last weekend, Sidmouth had beaten Services by three points with a late penalty at the Rectory in the Devon Intermediate Cup and on Saturday they won 24-22 thanks to a late converted try.
Services had the chance to snatch this game at the death but Matt Anstis saw a penalty heartbreakingly bounce off the post.
Dan Edgecombe, Rocky Young and Jamie Shone scored tries for Devonport, with Anstis kicking two conversions and a penalty.
CORNWALL/DEVON
It was a good day for Plymouth Cominbation sides in the Cornwall/Devon League with Tavistock, Plymouth Argaum and Plymstock Albion Oaks all claiming victories.
Tavistock caused the shock of the day in that league by overcoming previously unbeaten Bude 23-20. It was only Tavvy’s second win of the season.
Tavistock’s form has been improving every week since their relegation and their win has moved them up to ninth in the table.
Forward Andrew Schuttkacker, Duncan Law, Dougie Law and Martyn Ruskin scored tries for the home side.
Argaum are up to second in the table after a 29-0 away win at struggling Newquay, who remain winless this season.
The Bickleigh Down side were 17-0 up at the break, thanks to tries by Jamie Burton, Courtney Richards and Mason Edwards.
Kal Bloomfield and Ellery Jones added further tries after the interval, with captain Tom Richards adding two conversions.
Plymstock Albion Oaks are up to seventh after winning 20-13 at home to Pirates Amateurs in a game littered with cards.
Brett Tunnicliffe scored twice, while Kirk Tunnicliffe also went over for the home side, who had Richard West kicking a penalty and a conversion.
DEVON ONE AND TWO
In Devon One, Tamar Saracens continued their good form with a hard-earned 15-12 win at Topsham.
The victory leaves Sarries joint top with Totnes, the side they beat last weekend in the Devon final of the RFU Junior Vase.
Tom Rigby got Saracens off the mark at Topsham with a try, which he also converted. He also added a penalty.
Their second try was an impressive effort from the halfway line by new forward Marc Cioffi.
“It was a really hard-fought game against a well-drilled Topsham side,” said Tamar Saracens coach Stuart Busfield.
OPMs are just a point behind Sarries and Totnes in fourth after their 23-15 home win over winless New Cross.
Ed Steven, Mike Eves and Matt Norris scored their tries, with Gavin Rae kicking the rest of their points.
St Columba and Torpoint continue to struggle in Devon One. They lost 69-3 away at high-flying Totnes.
In Devon Two, Devonport High School Old Boys picked up their first point of the season in a 24-17 away defeat at Old Techs, who have won their opening two games.
There was also a far more encouraging performance from fellow strugglers Plympton Victoria, who went down 29-11 at home to Dartmouth. They had lost 92-0 in their opening match of the season at Buckfastleigh.
Email rugby reports or team news to Plymouthsportgazette@outlook.com