GALLERY: League leaders Devonport Services II run in 12 tries against Ivybridge II at the Rectory

DEVONPORT Services II showed why they are at the top of Counties Two Devon by running in 12 tries to beat relegation-threatened Ivybridge II 78-0 at the Rectory on Friday night.

Former Ivybridge player Charlie Groves scored four of Services II’s tries, while there were also touch-downs for Ewan Piercy, Henry Gascoyne, James McFarlane, Alex Gibson, Sam Fincham, Aaron Duffield, Ethan Millard and Luke Stannard, while Piercy added nine conversions.

Ivybridge’s much-changed side did have some pressure on Services II’s line, but the home side defended well when they needed to and were always quick to counterattack.

Afterwards Services player-coach Aiden Taylor said: “After going 30 points up after just 15 minutes, I was thinking it was going to be 100-0, but fair play to Ivybridge for sticking at it.

“We went away a bit from our structures but 78-0, you couldn’t really ask for a better result.

“We have got some big games coming up now against Topsham II and Bideford away. They are the ones we are targeting.

“If we can play like we did in spells, then I doubt teams will live with us, but we just have to keep getting availability and lads have to keep training.”

The win moved Services II six points clear at the top of the table going into Saturday’s fixtures, with the same number of games played as second-placed Topsham II and third-placed Exeter Saracens.

Ivybridge remain second-from-bottom, but they will hope to have players back for their crucial next two games against bottom side Dartmouth and third-from-bottom Tavistock.

Services II really came out firing on Friday night and had scored four converted tries within just 11 minutes.

Centre Piercy got them off the mark before forwards Gascoyne and McFarlane scored from close range. Groves then got his first of the night after a great break and off-load by Toby Moss.

Services II then lost their way for a spell and Ivybridge did have some pressure.

However, the home side finished the half like they had started it and bagged three quick tries.

Forward Gibson forced his way over the whitewash in the 31^st minutes before winger Fincham scored down the left before Groves finished off a well-worked move from a set-piece. That put the home team 47-0 up at the break.

Ivybridge were running out of players, but they stuck at it. They did make Services II wait nearly 10 minutes into the second half for their next try, which came from second-row Duffield.

Number eight Millward, who had a big game, then scored in the left corner after a cross-field kick from fly-half Taylor.

Groves then scored a fine try that was made by a great run through the middle by McFarlane.

He then added his fourth 10 minutes later before Stannard completed the scoring.

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