IVYBRIDGE player-coach Lewis Paterson was frustrated after his side’s narrow 14-11 loss at Dings Crusaders on Saturday, in what was the South Hams club’s first trip outside Devon this season.
The defeat was Ivybridge’s second in a row and drops them down to ninth in a tight National Three South West table, where only three points separate them from second.
Paterson felt his team did not get the rub of the green at a wet and muddy Landseer Avenue, but says they have to learn from it.
“Frustration is probably the key word,” said Paterson (pictured).
“It was like an old school game. It was very tight and it was muddy and wet. It’s the first time we’ve had these conditions this season.
“We were in their 22 and in areas where we should have been coming away with points but didn’t.
“I’m not one to complain about referees but some decisions were tough to call, but we should not be in situations where we are relying on refereeing calls.
“It was a tough day at the office. Things didn’t go our way, but we need to be better.
“Dings have got some old school boys and they did well, but I felt we were dominant but were not clinical. We just have to learn from it. We need to execute better.
“But the positive was we came away with a point. We went all the way up to Dings and we got something from the game. An away point could be crucial come the end of the season.”
Dings, with former Bristol and Birmingham fly-half Mark Woodrow pulling the strings, led 11-8 at half-time. Ivybridge, though, pulled level with a Matt Grieveson penalty but a Woodrow penalty won it for the home side.
In Western Counties West, there was disappointment for both Saltash and Devonport Services.
Saltash had won their previous three matches to move up to fourth in the table, but their run was ended when they lost 44-23 away at Sidmouth, who have leap-frogged above them in the standings.
The Ashes made a poor start and found themselves 18-6 down but by the 50th minute they were leading 20-18 and looking in a good position.
However, Sidmouth turned on the style with their backs impressing to seal victory.
Max Venables scored all Saltash’s points, with Sidmouth full-back Zak Bees scoring four tries for them.
Seventh-placed Devonport Services just can’t seem to buy a win of any sorts at the moment.
After three bonus-point victories at the start of the season, Services now have not won since September 19 and lost 34-14 at struggling Crediton on Saturday.
Crediton had started the day second-from-bottom with just one win to their name all season, but they out-scored Services by four tries to two.
Matt Gregory and Will Steinhausen scored Services’ tries, which were both converted by Matt Anstis.
In the Cornwall/Devon League, Plymouth Argaum suffered their biggest defeat of the season, losing 36-14 to Bude and Bickleigh Down.
Bude are the league’s top points scorers and they showed why with a clinical display against Argaum, whose biggest defeat before Saturday was by just two points.
“They were more clinical,” admitted Argaum’s director of rugby Dave Sansom. “When they made breaks they always had someone their on their shoulder each time, but when we made breaks we didn’t.
“We just did not turn up. They were the better side. I think we missed not playing last week.
“It was a bit disappointing and I’ll go away and have a think about it, but I think we’ll be all right.
“Hopefully, we have learned a lot from it and we can right our mistakes.
“They (Bude) defended well and that’s the second game on a trot we’ve come across a side that has defended really well, but you’ve got to learn your lessons from these defeats.”
Saturday was the first time since their promotion that Argaum have not picked up at least a point from a match. Their points on Saturday came from a Mason Edwards try, a Tom Richards drop-goal and two penalties from Jake Turfrey.
The loss has dropped them down to sixth in the table, with fellow newcomers Plymstock Albion Oaks moving above them after they beat Honiton 25-12 away.
It was Oaks’ fourth victory in a row and Tim Mathias’ team now sit in fifth spot.
Apart from Oaks and Liskeard-Looe, who beat Perranporth 43-7 in Cornwall One, there was little cheer at the weekend for Plymouth Combination sides.
In Devon One, Tamar Saracens title hopes suffered a bit of a setback when they were beaten 17-7 away at leaders Wessex.
It means Wessex are now five points ahead of third-placed Saracens with a game in hand.
Ryan Deacon scored Saracens’ only try at Flowerpot Field.
In the same division, St Columba & Torpoint are looking like certain relegation candidates after just five games. They lost 64-10 away at South Molton.
In their five matches so far, Saints have scored just 38 points but have conceded a staggering 280.
There was no joy in Devon Two either, with Old Techs losing 41-0 away at Torrington, DHSOB going down 32-19 at Salcombe and Plympton Victoria suffering a 54-0 home defeat to leaders Ilfracombe.