THERE was a massive sigh of relief from the Ivybridge players and supporters when the referee blew the final whistle on Saturday at Cross-in-Hand.
The Bridgers somehow managed to sneak what could prove to be a crucial 29-27 win over bottom side Weston-super-Mare in Regional One South West.
It was only their second victory of the season and has boosted their hopes of staying up, but they could easily have lost the match.
They were trailing 27-23 with five minutes of normal time to go, but two successful Matt Grieveson penalties put them in pole position.
However, in injury-time Weston produced a good kick and chase that resulted in Ivybridge knocking the ball on right on their own line, giving away a five-metre scrum. At this point Weston were dominating the set-piece and from it they got a penalty.
The visitors opted to go for goal, with fly-half George Nuttycombe having not missed a kick all afternoon, but, much to Ivybridge’s delight – and surprise, he missed the three-pointer and the hosts managed to see out the final minute for a vital victory.
“I thought he was going to kick it,” admitted a relieved Ivybridge head coach Davy McGregor afterwards.
“I was actually very surprised they didn’t go for another scrum and just kept it down there as they potentially could have got a penalty try. But we’ll take anything. It is literally game for game for us now.
“I’ve got to be happy with a win after the last few games.”
McGregor said he was pleased with the way his team managed the game after going behind.
“I think that middle third we really managed it and the boys really took on board what we talked about,” he said.
“The thing that was really pleasing is that we didn’t try anything that wasn’t potentially on. We went for the posts when the posts were on and that ultimately made the difference.
“I think that bit of maturity is massive for us, especially leading into another home game.
“If we had won that game because we had done things that we didn’t really want to do then it could give false hope.
“But by the way we managed the game we got the four points.”
There was pressure on both teams on Saturday with them both sitting in the bottom two.
Weston made a promising start, but it was Ivybridge who took the lead in the 12th minute when hooker Owen Garner was shoved over the try-line following a line-out and Grieveson added the conversion.
Grieveson, who definitely had his kicking boots on this weekend, then added a penalty three minutes later to put his side 10-0 up.
But four minutes later Weston cut the gap with a converted try from close range before Nuttycombe then added a penalty to pull his side level.
Another Grieveson penalty nudged the hosts back in front before Adam Northcott scored following a tap penalty after a good kick though had caused Weston problems on their own line. Grieveson added the conversion to make it 20-10.
Weston, though, needing the win just as much at Ivybridge, responded with a converted try by impressive flanker Jay Davis.
That left the half-time score as 20-17 to the Bridgers.
Grieveson kicked an early second-half penalty to put the home side six points ahead, but within minutes a great breakaway by Weston resulted in scrum-half Dan Lomax touching down for a converted try, which put his side one point in front.
That lead was extended to four points 10 minutes from time with a Nuttycombe penalty.
Ivybridge, who were really struggling with their line-outs, wasted some good territory and Sam Brown had a try ruled out, but in the 75th minute they got a penalty 20 metres out.
Some of the crowd were unhappy to see Grieveson call for the kicking tee when the side were four points behind. But he put it over and a couple of minutes later they got back up into Weston’s half and got another penalty. This one was in a more difficult position, but Grieveson maintained his 100 per cent record by slotting it through the posts to put his side in front, much to the delight of the home supporters.
It looked like that might be it, but there was still time for Weston to miss their late penalty that almost certainly would have won them the game.
Devonport Services’ game away at Lydney was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
PLYMSTOCK Albion Oaks have opened up a six-point gap at the top of Western West after they beat second-placed Kingsbridge 44-22 at Horsham Fields on Saturday.
It was the perfect way for Oaks to bounce back from their home defeat to Tiverton last Saturday.
Plymstock once again did the damage in the first half as they led 24-8 at the break.
Kingbridge did come back with a couple of tries, but Oak added another couple themselves at the end.
They ran in six tries in total courtesy of backs Alex Chapman (2), Ben Turua, Lewis Paterson, Corey Jamieson and Tom Richards, with Paterson kicking two penalties and four conversions.
“The boys played really well and scored some good tries,” said Oaks’ Mark Lenthall.
“It was just a good game and a real well-referred game. The ref just let a good game of rugby between two good sides play out.
“We were pleased. We finished off a lot of moves and looked quite good.
“We are capable of playing really well and we were dangerous with the ball. They had a decent set-piece – their line-out was dominant but the scrums were fairly even – but we have some dangerous runners and nearly all of our backs scored tries.
“We just looked dangerous with the ball and we also defended well as well.”
There was also a home win for Tavistock, who saw off travel-sick Penryn 34-24 at Moorlands Lane.
That victory keeps Tavistock in fifth place, but they are only two points off third-placed Tiverton.
Captain George Hillson scored a hat-trick of tries – two in the first half and one in the second.
The hosts were 17-5 up before finding themselves 24-17 down at the break, but they came back in the second period to seal the victory.
“We made quite hard work of it,” said Tavistock head coach Joel Caddy.
“We were 17-5 up and playing as good a rugby as we have played all season but we just did not convert it all into points.
“It was a weird game. They hardly had any of the play in the first half but had four chances and took them.
“And in the second half the momentum sort of swung their way but our lads dug deep when it mattered.
“Schuey (Andrew Schuttkacker) held them up over the line and then we got back to playing and got on top in the scrum – our scrum was absolutely dominant in the second half.
“All up, considering who we had unavailable, we are pretty chuffed with it.
“As with every week, there are things to work on, but on the whole it was a good job.”
As well as Hillson’s three tries, there were also touch-downs for Stephen O’Connor, Charles Bowden and Schuttkacker.
COUNTIES TWO CORNWALL
SALTASH suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 33-24 by Redruth II in the much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash in Counties Three Cornwall at the Recreation Ground.
The Ashes paid for a poor first half where they did not play to their potential and trailed 26-5 at the break.
But they hit back after the interval and picked up a bonus point which could yet prove crucial with the sides set to meet at Moorlands Lane in the penultimate game of the season.
The hosts took the lead when Mike Allen touched down in the 12th minute and Dean Wills added the conversion.
The Ashes came right back two minutes later following a good move and skipper Jay Moriarty went over the line on the left wing.
But Saltash gave away too much ball to the Redruth forwards and it came as no surprise when Nat Dart got another try which was converted to increase their advantage on 22 minutes.
The home side continued to dominate and Lewis Thomas got a third home try to make it 19-5.
The Ashes tried hard to get their usual game together but could not stop Sam James extending the lead to 26-5 with a converted try before half-time.
The Redruth forwards had provided a good platform for their strong running backs to take their scoring chances.
The second period did not get off to a good start for Saltash as they were reduced to 14 after a yellow card in the opening minute, but the improving Ashes hit back after 50 minutes when Devon Bennett-Murray charged over the line for Ryan Cruickshanks to convert.
The visitors continued their revival and pressed hard before Ryan Rayner received an inside pass to cross the Redruth line after 55 minutes to close the score to 26-17.
Play was even as the game built up to a tense finish but in the 72nd minute AJ Liverton got a decisive try for Redruth which was again converted by Wills.
Saltash pushed back and were rewarded with the last action of the game as Will Morton broke through from midfield to score between the posts and Cruickshanks added the extras.
The Saltash star man was forward Bennett-Murray, who put in a tremendous shift, but he was well supported by Danny Snook, Billy Dover and Cruickshanks in a greatly-improved second half.
In the same division, Liskeard-Looe were beaten 42-19 at home by third-placed Perranporth.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
PLYMOUTH Argaum claimed their biggest win of the season as they comprehensively beat bottom side Ivybridge II 35-5 at a bitterly-cold Bickleigh Down.
The bonus-point triumph has boosted Argaum’s hopes of staying in the league. They are now nine points clear of the bottom two, but it is now looking tough for Ivybridge II to escape the drop as they are 14 points away from safety.
Tom Shepherd, Tom Mann, Cheyanne Edwards and James Green crossed the whitewash for Argaum, who were also awarded a penalty try. Edwards added three conversions and new signing Josh Townsend also added one.
Ivybridge II’s try came near the end when they attacked from a loose ball in the centre of the field.
“I was really impressed with our performance,” said Argaum head coach Dean Avery. “We beat them in all areas on the pitch.
“It was just really, really good. It has been coming with the results we have recently had. We have hit our target over the last four games, which is good.
“It was Argaum day as well so it was a good day all round.”
He added: “We pushed them around in the scrums. Our line-outs didn’t function that well in the first half but in the end we got a bit of tempo going and scored off a driving maul.
“It is just fantastic to win like that. Cheyenne Edwards played well at 10 in the first half and then we brought on Josh Townsend, who has played at a high standard, and he showed his class.
“James Green played really well with his electric pace, but we have lost him now for a few weeks.
“I know we were playing the bottom of the league but things are looking really positive and we still have the likes of Jake Turfrey, Tom Worboys and Billy Stockwell to come back in.”
Second-placed Devonport Services II produced a strong finish to beat Exeter Saracens 41-32 at the Rectory on Saturday.
Services fielded a young side and 17-year-old colt Leighton Stark was one of those to get the chance to impress in front of head coach Ben Russell, who was able to watch the seconds after the first team match was postponed.
Services II were 32-27 down with four minutes to go but they snatched the five points with two late tries.
Matt Richards bagged two tries for the hosts, with Mike Kelly, Sam Fincham, Charlies Groves and Ethan Hilland also touching down and Stark kicking four conversions and a penalty.
“There were some very young boys in that team and they played some scintillating rugby at times,” said Russell. “But we did also concede some soft tries.”
OPMs’ away game at Barnstaple II was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
COUNTIES THREE
PLYMSTOCK Albion Oaks II ended a four-game losing run with a hard-earned 20-15 victory away at Kingsbrige II.
Tries by Sam Luke, Jon Baldwin-Nygaard and Dan McKillop and a penalty and conversion from Luke was enough for the four points.
Captain Stu Collyer said: “We had a couple of late drop-outs pre-kick off, a yellow card after 30 minutes, and a red card at 50 minutes, so we really made it difficult for ourselves.
“Kingsbridge gave us exactly what we thought they would – they had strong runners, were well-drilled around the breakdown and they made good use of the home pitch slope.
“But we really stepped up and showed the determination, courage, desire to get on the front foot, and discipline when down to 14 men to grind the result out.
“Last year we would have lost that game before it kicked off so it’s a testament to how far the club has come, not just the seconds. And the work Lewis Paterson and Tom Richards drill into us midweek really paid off with our game-winning third try from Dan McKillop.
“Connor Thomson was excellent again, along with Sam Luke, Ryan Wills and Jon Baldwin-Nygaard, but man of the match Mac Lewis really set the tone with some bone-crunching tackles and constantly getting us on the front foot.
“We also gave a senior debut to 17-year-old Welsh Exiles forward Fred Williams, who was excellent when he came on and looked like a seasoned senior.”
Plympton Victoria had quite a tough afternoon at in-form Torquay Athletic II, but they did manage to score three tries in a 66-21 defeat at the Recreation Ground.
Torquay have won their last four games – all against Plymouth Combination sides – and they showed their class against Plym Vic.
“You can tell they train with their first team,” said Plym Vic’s Chris Hunt. “They have some good players and a very well-drilled pack.
“We just weren’t consistent enough for long enough. We started quite brightly in the first 10 or 15 minutes but then they just took their game on and put a lot of points on.
“After half-time we perked up, but it was just too little too late.
“We were very close to the bonus point and we are a bit upset we didn’t get it as the team did work their socks off and it would have been a reward for that hard work.
“But it’s another game completed and it’s onwards and upwards.”
Chris Barratt, Kobe Bryant and James Bore scored tries for Plym Vic, with Barratt converting them all.
An under-strength Tavistock II team had a very tough afternoon, losing 101-0 away at Brixham II.
In Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II narrowly lost 29-26 at home to Lankelly-Fowey.
In the Devon Armada Merit Table, Devonport Services III beat Medics Squirrels 17-10 away thanks to tries by Connor Yeoman, Neo Rushton-Ley and Ben Wadham, who also added a conversion.
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