DEVONPORT Services and Ivybridge continued their build ups for the new rugby season over the weekend.
Services, whose National Two West campaign will start as planned on August 4, played Regional One South West side Launceston away on Friday night and then they sent a squad of second and third team players to play a mixed Ivybridge team at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday.
Devonport beat Launceston 39-28 at Polson Bridge, with summer back signing Joe Hearle making his mark with two tries.
Harrison Coonick also bagged a couple of touch-downs, while navy players Henry Gliddon and Matt Scott also crossed the whitewash.
However, on Saturday, Services’ seconds/thirds found a combined Ivybridge first and second team too slick for them in a feisty encounter in hot weather at Cross-in-Hand.
Tempers did boil over a few times in the second half as the Ivybridge XV ran out 34-5 winners.
Ivybridge had started slow against Plymstock Oaks on the Thursday evening, but they came out flying on Saturday and took the lead in the opening 10 minutes with a fine try on the right by former Tamar Saracens back Ryan Currie, who made some strong runs in the first half.
The Services side struggled to get their passing going and kept giving the ball back to their hosts.
Ivybridge extended their lead when Jed Soper scored on the right after pressure from a line-out and they made it 15-0 before half-time with a third try courtesy of Angus Harris.
Devonport did respond at the start of the second half when new centre Harry Morris, who has moved to the area from Matson, scored a fine interception try to make it 15-5.
But that was as good as it got for Services, even with player-coach Shaun Crawford coming on to offer some guidance to their young side.
Ivybridge increased their lead in the 50th minute with Tom Hancock going over from a catch-and-drive move and Matt Grieveson adding the extras.
Services did have a good chance in the 53rd minute, but the game was stopped due to a clash of heads and tempers flared.
The game did re-start and James Cantin extended Ivybridge’s lead further before Seth Lethbridge scored in the left corner, which led to some more pushing and shoving.
Ivybridge did have another chance, but after another stoppage, the referee decided to end the game slightly early.
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