IVYBRIDGE showed a clinical edge to beat the University of Plymouth 53-10 in an adapted rules match at Cross-in-Hand.
The students classed the game as their ‘varsity’ fixture with their usual contest against Marjon unable to go ahead this year.
But they struggled to get into the game against their experienced South West Premier opponents, who punished them for nearly every mistake.
The Bridgers, who named Plymouth Albion scrum-half Cameron Setter among their replacements, were 24-0 at half-time and did not let up after the interval, although the students did manage to get two consolation tries in the final 30 minutes.
Ivybridge, playing their first game of 2021, started like a train and young winger Matt Burns scored after less than three minutes. Luke Martell added the conversion.
It got better for them five minutes later when scrum-half Ben Watts scored an interception try down the right.
Midway through the first half, second-row Seb Musgrave claimed a fine converted try, which was followed pretty quickly by a score from number eight Adam Northcott, who gathered a bouncing ball from a box-kick and ran in from 40 metres.
After the interval, experienced hooker Jay Geraty added a fifth try for Ivybridge when he went over after the hosts had stolen a line-out.
The students did keep going and replacement Josh Pritchard managed a try for them before Ivybridge hit back with one down the left wing from Tom Scoles.
Charlie Briant then ran in under the posts for another for Ivybridge before the home club scored two more within two minutes.
First, half-time replacement Setter showed great footballing skills down the right wing to score before Northcott broke from 40 metres to score another fine try.
However, the visitors did have the last word when winger Isaac Pye went over for a consolation effort.
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