DAN Gloyns and James Cantin both scored hat-tricks as Ivybridge returned to winning ways with a 54-20 away victory over bottom side Wellington on Saturday in Regional Two South West.
It was the Bridgers’ first win in four games and has moved them to within two points of a play-off position with three games to go.
The final slot in the new end-of-season play-offs does appear to be between them, Crediton and Winscombe, who do have a game in hand.
The match between Ivybridge and Winscombe on April 11 could be a decider, with Crediton playing unbeaten leaders Weston-super-Mare in their final game that day.
Despite travelling with a much-changed side, Ivybridge were always too strong for winless Wellington, who have already been relegated after a tough season under new head coach Brad Field.
Ivybridge went 14-0 up early on with converted tries by forward Gloyns and scrum-half Cantin.
Wellington did pull one back before Gloyns bagged his second of the afternoon, which again was converted by Charlie Teague.
The home side did score a second try and kicked a penalty before half-time to cut the gap to 21-13, but Ivybridge totally pulled away in the second period.
Gloyns, back in the first team, claimed his hat-trick before fellow forward Marcus Prout went over the whitewash.
Cantin then scored two more in between a try for the home side before Owen Alp finished the scoring for the visitors.
“There was lots of running rugby from us in attack, which was great to see,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.
“There were a few defensive errors from us that let them get a couple, but our defensive effort in the last 10 minutes made sure they didn’t pick up anything.
“We had a few lads in different positions and they all put a shift in.”
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
SALTASH find themselves just four points from safety with five games to go in Western West after they beat fifth-placed Kingsbridge 37-26 at Moorlands Lane on Saturday.
It was a welcome five points for the Ashes, who had gone into the game on the back of heart-breaking narrow defeats to Torquay Athletic and Plymstock Oaks.
The bonus-point victory has now given them a real chance of staying up with three home games in their final five fixtures, including against fellow bottom four sides Penryn and Newton Abbot.
Saturday’s game, which saw captain James Moriarty make his 250th appearance for the club, was tight but a late converted try by fit-again forward Fin Jones sealed the victory, which moves them to within three points of third-from-bottom Oaks.
Heavy rain just before the start on Saturday’s game made handling conditions difficult and it continued to deteriorate as the tight contest progressed.
The Ashes got off to a good start and centre Greg Eatwell put them into the lead after five minutes with a well-worked try which was converted by Jack Pritchard.
Kingsbridge came back and following a penalty and kick to the corner their forwards drove over for a converted try to bring the score level.
At this point the visitors looked to take control and went in front on the half hour with a try after a period of pressure by their pack.
Saltash retaliated and lock Lewis Woolaway, who had a strong game, powered over after 36 minutes to re-establish their advantage with another converted try. That made it 14-12.
However, as the half drew to a close Kingsbridge again nosed in front when their forwards again pushed the Ashes back and a try with added points resulted.
But the final play before the interval saw Pritchard kick a penalty to leave them just two points behind at the break.
The second half started well for Saltash and right winger Will Morton, who always poised a threat, crossed the visitors line after some good inter passing.
Another Pritchard penalty 12 minutes later eased the Ashes further ahead at 25-19, but the game was still in the balance as Kingsbridge fought back.
After a penalty, the visitors gained ground to go back into the lead by one point with a converted try on the left wing.
Both sides were keen to gain the win and strived hard to gain the advantage in worsening conditions.
Yet it was Saltash that went back in front when the experienced Steve Hillman charged over for a try with the conversion just missing the upright.
And the rampant Ashes sealed the victory with a Jones try three minutes later which was converted.
This was an overdue, controlled and deserved Ashes team win in which the forwards excelled and the backs coped with the slippery ball well.
Jones, who missed a large part of the season with a serious wrist injury, impressed when he came on, but full-back Ryan Cruickshanks, making his first start since December, was selected as the man of the match by the coaches.
Meanwhile, Saltash’s second XV had a wasted trip to Penryn to play Camborne School of Mines as they game was called off due to an unfit pitch.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
DEVONPORT Services II are looking unstoppable in their quest for the Counties Two Devon title as they overcame a weakened OPMs side 101-0 at King George V Playing Fields on Saturday.
Services II have a 12-point lead at the top of the standings with just five games to go.
But for OPMs it was another worrying result. They have now lost their last four league and cup games and are only three points above third-from-bottom Crediton II.
Availability has been their biggest problem in recent weeks and on Saturday they were again without Fred and Matt Smale, as well as other key players like Billy Garratt and Sonny Rowe. They ended up with just 15 players and, although, they dominated the scrum, they had no answer to the pace of Services backs.
Services II were missing a host of forwards, but they had a strong backline out, which included Matt Neyle, Toby Knowles, Aiden Taylor, Sam Fincham and Luke Stannard. They even had the luxury of having Billy Sutton, Leighton Stark and Tom Richards on the bench.
The visitors scored 15 tries in total, with Fincham leading the way with five of them.
Knowles and forward James Thorp bagged two apiece, while there were also touch-downs for Ethan Millard, Ewan Piercey, Nathan Todd, Taylor, Alex Gibson and Cam Donkin.
For OPMs the defeat was similar to the one they suffered against high-flying Torquay Athletic two years ago.
On both occasions it has been a case of fulfilling the fixture to avoid a points deduction.
OPMs head coach James Digweed said: “We had just 12 players up until the night before as we had so many people away.
“We had six or seven twos players again and we only had a bare 15, but we stuck at it.
“I can’t be too upset as we have avoided a five-point deduction.
“To be fair, the boys were really good as there were plenty of times when the score was getting bigger that they could have been negative, but they stuck at it and didn’t drop their heads.”
It does not get any easier for OPMs as next week they host second-placed Honiton at King George V Playing Fields.
COUNTIES THREE DEVON SOUTH & WEST
PLYMPTON Victoria finally secured their first league victory of the season as they beat Plymstock Oaks II 22-12 at St Mary’s Field on Saturday.
Plym Vic had come close to a win earlier in the season when they drew 21-21 away with fellow strugglers Kingsbridge II.
But their hard work was finally rewarded on Saturday as tries by Lewis Jeffery (2) and Dan Warne and two conversions and a penalty by Chris Barrett secured them the victory.
They really did have to dig deep with the half-time score at 12-12. They also overcame two yellow cards to beat an Oaks II side, who included Nathan Akers, Josh Waters, Ed Coombs, Max Ringrose and Jacob Chapman, who have all seen first team action in recent weeks.
“It was about time we got a victory,” said Plym Vic chairman Chris Hunt.
“The lads really stuck at it. Even with two yellow cards we managed to keep it together.”
Jeffery gave them the lead in the 15th minute with a converted try, but Oaks II levelled with a touch-down from Aiden Lamerton.
Oaks’ Ollie Birleson put his side in front but Warne levelled the contest at half-time for Plym Vic.
A penalty four minutes after the interval edged the home side in front before a Jeffery try in the 66th minute, which Barratt converted, sealed the long-awaited win for Plym Vic.
Plymouth Argaum’s hopes of a top three finish were hit as they were forced to hand Totnes an away walkover.
The Bickleigh Down club had tried their best to get a team out, but, for once, had to admit defeat.
“Unfortunately, loads of lads were already committed to the men’s big day out, internationals and work due to it originally been a free weekend in the calendar.”
Tamar Saracens were also left without a match as Kingsbridge II were unable to raise a full side and handed them a home walkover.
Sarries did have plenty of availability on the day as well.
“It’s disappointing for the lads who were ready to go and for everyone was looking forward to a good battle at The Parkway, but these things happen,” said a club spokesperson.