HARRISON Coonick scored five tries as Regional One South West leaders Devonport Services powered to a 61-12 home victory over neighbours Ivybridge on Saturday at the Rectory.
In front of a large crowd, Services ran in nine tries in total in a convincing derby day victory which keeps them seven points clear at the top of the table.
They now know that just two wins from their final three games – away at Launceston, Lydney and Matson – will secure them promotion to the National Leagues for the first time.
Devonport’s pack power was key to their win, but full-back Coonick, who nearly joined Ivybridge in the summer, provided the cutting edge in the backs for the home side in poor conditions.
Title-chasing Services, who are unbeaten at home this season, did the damage in the first half as they led 40-12 and diminished any hopes the Bridgers had of causing a major upset for the second time in two outings after they beat Chew Valley 46-19 in their last game.
Despite the big win – their biggest at home this season – Services head coach Ben Russell didn’t think his side hit top form.
“It was scrappy,” said Russell about his club’s final home league game. “They (Ivybridge) came with fight and heart and they didn’t give in. Fair play to them, they kept going and going.
“We weren’t at full gear and didn’t play as we can play, but the weather and the pitch didn’t help.
“We did score some scintillating tries, but also made some silly mistakes, yet five points is what we wanted.”
Russell was full of praise of Coonick, who was almost unstoppable when he got the ball.
“He’s got a bad back as well,” said Russell. “But give him space and he will happily accept it. He did really, really well.
“I think our backs did click a little bit better today and we did score some nice tries out wide. It was good.
“We now only have three games left, but we know we still can’t slip up.”
Ivybridge head coach Davy McGregor felt the heavy defeat was hard on his team and that they probably deserved at least a bonus point for their efforts.
“It was just really disappointed, but the big thing was that we stayed in the fight,” he said. “Those boys have really committed to it.
“I was really gutted for some of the lads. Some of the boys got really battered and bruised in the first 20 minutes but they still stuck in the fight.
“I do feel we deserved something out of the game. I do feel we didn’t get much rub of the green,” added McGregor, who was not too impressed with some of the home crowd and with Services opting for a scrum from a mark late in the game.
In heavy rain, Coonick gave Services the lead in the fifth minute with a converted try after the home team threw the ball wide quickly after some intense forward pressure from a line-out.
But within six minutes Ivybridge had levelled when Tom Scoles went over in the left corner after the visitors had stolen a line-out on the right. Matt Grieveson added the conversion.
However, they were not on level terms for long as Coonick quickly got his second try of the match after Services took a quick line-out after they had pressed Ivybridge into a hurried exit kick. Once Coonick got his hands on the ball he just ran straight through a number of attempted tackles to score under the posts for a simple conversion for Richard West.
The hosts, who totally dominated the scrums, then added a third try five minutes later when they stole an Ivybridge line-out and pressed and eventually hooker Aiden Taylor scored. West again converted to make it 21-7.
From the restart, Ivybridge did pull a score back courtesy of Harrison Legge, but that was to be the end of their scoring for the afternoon.
James Hocking and scrum-half Dan Goldstone both added tries in the left corner after line-out moves before Coonick claimed a first-half hat-trick when he won the race to a kick and chase on the right to give Services a 40-12 half-time lead.
Ivybridge did frustrate Services at the start of the second period and the game was held up for a bit while referee Drew Meakin received some treatment for an injury, but eventually Services did add to their score.
Coonick scored another stunning try in the 55th minute down the left, which West converted, before Ivybridge were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes and instantly replacement prop James McFarlane, who had a spell at Cross-in-Hand last season, scored from another good Services’ maul. West’s conversion attempt for that try did look like it fell below the bar, but it was given, and fittingly it was the impressive Coonick who had the final word with another great try before he hobbled off.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
PLYMSTOCK Oaks lost the lead at the top of Western West after their match away at Penryn was postponed and title-rivals Tiverton beat out-of-form Tavistock 59-0 at Coronation Field.
Tiverton’s win moves them one point ahead of Oaks, who will now be under pressure to beat Penryn when they attempt to make the trip again to Cornwall next weekend.
Tavistock were again light of forwards for Saturday’s away game and always knew it would be a tough test against a side unbeaten at home and chasing promotion.
Reece Lyons, George Whiting, Matt Hague and Ben Bingham scored tries for Tiverton in the first half as they led 26-0, before Whiting completed his hat-trick in the second period to go with other touch-downs from Ben Vickery, David Harris and Alex Curtis. Jack Sampson added the rest of Tiverton’s points with the boot.
Despite the defeat – Tavistock’s sixth in a row – head coach Joel Caddy felt there were positives.
“The losing streak continues, but as a performance, with all things considered with availabilities and everything else, it was one of our better ones for several weeks. Lots of players stepped up.
“Tiverton were just very bloody good. They probably had 12 clear-cut chances and took eight of them and you can’t knock that.
“If you have a 66 per cent rate of taking your chances then you are going to win quite a few games.
“Our line-out did not really function, but scrum was one of the highlights for us. We probably actually had an edge on the scrums over the whole game.
“It was pretty scary just how many players we had unavailable, but the lads battled away all game.
“Tiverton pretty much scored all their tries out wide so they weren’t just running through the middle of us because of missed tackles or anything else.
“It wasn’t a bad performance from us in terms of how it has been for us of late, but they were just simply too good. I think they would more than hold their own in the league above.”
COUNTIES TWO
PLYMOUTH Argaum are facing an anxious final few weeks of the season in Counties Two Devon after they were beaten 22-0 away at relegation rivals North Tawton on Saturday.
The loss means North Tawton are now only six points behind Argaum with a game a hand.
On paper, Argaum do have the easier fixtures. They face games against OPMs, Ivybridge II and Barnstaple II, while North Tawton have to play Torquay at home and then visit Barnstaple II, South Molton and Withycombe.
But Argaum have really put themselves under pressure in recent weeks due to availability problems.
On Saturday they travelled to Taw Meadow with only a handful of regular starters. Coaches Jack Hiscock and Dean Avery, just back from a broken hand, had to play.
Among those missing were Tom Holliday, Al Sullivan, Dan Smith, Tom Worboys, Owen Gocher, Al Percival, Eddie McGinley, David Clack, Chris Perkins, Jake Turfrey and Billy Stockwell.
“We had an awful lot of players out,” said Argaum head coach Avery.
“We had a lot of injuries and also an awful lot of unavailabilities, but we still managed to take a squad up.
“When we got there it was an absolute bog – there was about three inches of mud – but even though we travelled with a really weak side we just wanted to fulfil the fixture. We probably could have said we are not playing, but we would have only had to travel back to north Devon later in the year.”
He added: “Once again, we just conceded too easily and without our big ball carriers like Tom Holliday, Tom Worboys, Al Sullivan and Dave Clack we struggled to get on the front foot. We got into the right areas, but unfortunately, we didn’t really have anyone who could penetrate through the defence and get us on the front foot.“The team that did go up did wear the shirt with pride so I can’t knock them. It is just frustrating we have gone into a massive game with such a different side to the one that we are normally used to.
“We are six points ahead and we have a week off now and hopefully we can get some more people back into the squad.
“We have to stay positive as we want to stay in this league.”
OPMs had guaranteed their safety the previous week with a big 40-0 win over Withycombe.
But they were brought back down to earth with a last-gasp 25-22 defeat to bottom side Ivybridge II at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday. That ended a four-game unbeaten run for OPMs.
The Old Boys were 22-18 ahead with 80 minutes on the clock but Ivybridge II snatched the win deep in injury-time.
“It was very disappointing,” said injured OPMs captain Billy Garratt.
“Our discipline was awful. I think we were close to 30 penalties and got marched back three or four times for back chat and had three yellow cards.
“We were 22-18 up but there was nine or 10 minutes of extra-time played. We kicked the ball out twice thinking the game was over, but it wasn’t and then they scored a try.
“They basically scored with the last play of the game. Fair play to them, they did dig in.
“But we didn’t play how we have been playing lately.
“I don’t really know what it was, but it definitely wasn’t the OPM rugby we have been playing lately and doing in training.”
Fred Smale and Chris Carpenter both scored two tries for OPMs, with Sam Matts kicking a conversion as they did at least pick up two bonus points.
It was the second time this season OPMs had narrowly lost to Ivybridge II, having gone down to them 17-16 at home in November.
Devonport Services II remain in second place after they beat Exmouth II 17-12 at Keyham on Saturday.
Services II felt the win should have been more comfortable as they had three tries ruled out.
The hosts were 12-5 up at half-time thanks to tries by Matt Richards and Josh Martin and a conversion from Mike Howell. Jack Down scored Exmouth’s only points in the opening 40 minutes.
Devonport dominated possession second half but they had to settle for just another Richards try and Exmouth II snatched a losing bonus points near the end with a try by Charlie Parr.
In Counties Two Cornwall, Saltash were handed a home walkover by their neighbours Liskeard-Looe, but their colts team did enjoy more success by winning the Cornwall Colts Championship League Cup at Truro College by beating Newquay Hornets 33-29 thanks to a late try by Laurie Thomson.
The Ashes had already won their league and had beaten Camborne in the semi-finals.
They started quickly and with the advantage of the wind their first attack enabled Freddie Dover to cross the Newquay line after just four minutes. Ethan Stone added the extra points to make it 7-0.
Newquay always looked dangerous with their backs running well and giving the Ashes defence some difficult times and they struck back after 14 minutes with a break and kick ahead from their own half and deservedly got a converted try.
Play was even and on occasions broken, but following a good kick into the corner by Dan Hunt, Saltash went back into the lead on 32 minutes with a try by Stone, which he again converted.
But just before the interval Newquay were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was kicked which meant the Ashes’ lead at half-time was cut to 14-10.
Saltash again got off to a good start in the second period and extended their advantage to 21-10 with a Liam Bowyer converted try following pressure on the Newquay defence.
However, two tries in quick succession and a conversion put Newquay ahead for the first time 15 minutes into the second half.
The game was now being played at a higher pace and Saltash hit back with a Joe Dowlan touch-down and the conversion went over after hitting the crossbar.
Both sides were gunning for victory and it was Newquay that edged back in front with another converted score in the closing stages to make it 29-28.
But with great spirit Saltash staged more attacks and Laurie Thomson aided by the forwards scored the winning touch-down.
COUNTIES THREE
TAMAR Saracens look certain to finish as runners-up again in Counties Three Devon South & West after they were narrowly beaten 14-11 at Dartmouth.
Dartmouth’s victory means they only need one point now from their final three games to guarantee the title.
But with Plymstock Oaks II beating third-placed Brixham II, Tamar Saracens do look certain to finish second.
Sarries had also narrowly lost 14-10 to unbeaten Dartmouth at home and so they were a bit frustrated on Saturday.
“I thought we were actually the better team,” said director of rugby Pete Lethbridge after Saturday’s one-score defeat.
“I can’t fault the boys. A few things did not go our way, but I was proud of them all.
“They were probably just a bit more clinical than us and we were a bit shy in the first 20 minutes.
“We are disappointed, but the boys did well.
“Dartmouth are a good side. We now have to play them in the Papa Johns Cup in five weeks at our place and I think the boys are champing at the bit for that cup game now.”
Sarries did pay a bit for a slow start where they gave away a number of penalties that allowed Dartmouth to go 9-0 up.
But then they woke up and cut the gap with a Rob Hall penalty.
The visitors were then frustrated to lose their captain Joey Pook after a knock to the head. Sarries’ medical team did pass him fit to continue, but the referee over-ruled them and insisted Pook took no further part in the match.
However, the visitors did close the gap to 9-8 before half-time with a fine try by Greg Parrott in the corner.
Sarries felt they had got on top in the second half, but a penalty gave Dartmouth the chance to kick down field and they scored with a catch-and-drive move to make it 14-8.
The visitors really took the game to Dartmouth in the last 20 minutes, but just could not get the try they threatened.
With five minutes to go they got a penalty and on-the-field captain Frazer Tatchell opted for the posts in the hope that there would still be time to get another score. Hall did kick the penalty, but Sarries could not get another score to either draw or win the match.
Plymstock Oaks II claimed a fifth straight league win with a convincing 48-17 home victory over Brixham II.
Oaks II ran in eight tries, with Atu Kovula bagging two and Stu Collyer, Miti Caqara, Jon Baldwin-Nygaard, Dan Larn, Owen Paterson and Tom Berenyi also crossing the whitewash and Duncan Bibby kicking four conversions.
Captain Collyer said afterwards: “Having lost to Brixham early in the season, we knew they would bring a strong team to Plymstock as they are a talented and young squad with bags of potential.
“But we felt that the heavy mud and boggy patches of the pitch would suit us well, with a strong and experienced pack, and that showed from the off with some powerful runs by our forwards, and a solid scrum that lasted throughout.
“Early on it was nip-and-tuck, but halfway through the first half we took control going down the slope and we never really looked back after that.
“We are now on a six-game unbeaten run with a cup semi-final to come next weekend.
“Standout performers were Owen Paterson, Atu Kovula, Dan Larn, Duncan Bibby, Miti Caqara and Matt Jackson with everyone else putting in a solid shift in horrendous conditions.”
Player-coach Billy Evans scored a hat-trick of tries, including a winner five minutes from time, as Old Techs beat Torquay Athletic II 17-15 in wet and muddy conditions at Weston Mill.
Torquay took a 5-0 lead before Evans scored his first, which Jack Williams converted, to make it 7-5.
But just before the break, the visitors kicked a penalty to lead 8-7.
Evans had started the match at fly-half but moved to number eight at half-time and he quickly scored from the back of a scrum to put his side 12-8 ahead.
Torquay, though, hit back again, only for Evans to score a breakaway try five minutes before the end to win the match for Techs.
“We are happy enough with the win,” said chairman David Evans.
“The conditions were awful. We had not played on the pitch for three weeks, but it did cut up and by the end you could not tell who was who as everyone was covered in mud.
“It was a hard-fought game and they came with a decent side.
“We have a lot of players out, but we got through and got the win.
“It was a messy game as it was hard to get any continuity with the conditions, but I thought we deserved the win. I felt we dominated the game but without scoring.”
There was disappointment for Plympton Victoria who lost 13-0 away at bottom side Totnes.
“I think they only had two attacks and scored from them both,” said Plym Vic chairman Chris Hunt.
“We must have had 60 or 70 per cent of possession and were a man up for 20 minutes but we could not score a point.
“We did have two penalties but didn’t get either. We just could not convert pressure into points.
“We scrummed well, had a lot of possession, but we just could not find that cutting edge and that’s what we have to work on.
“But again, we had 25 players available and so the club is moving in the right direction.
“We don’t have to re-invent the wheel; we just need to identify those little areas to work on.”
Elsewhere in Counties Three Devon South & West, Tavistock II were beaten 38-7 at home by Salcombe, while in Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II lost 45-20 away at Camborne II.
Meanwhile, a joint Plymouth Combination and Peninsula Medical School team are due to play the Royal Navy development side are Keyham on Wednesday night.
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