IVYBRIDGE were unable to build on a promising first half as they lost 48-15 to Bath in their opening Championships South home match at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday.
The Bridgers, who have moved up to the second tier of English women’s rugby this season, had the better of the first 40 minutes, but just could not turn all their pressure into points.
They were 8-5 up going into first half injury-time, but Bath scored nine minutes into added-on time and then took full control in the second period, with centre Lois Bird proving their catalyst with a hat-trick of tries after the break.
Ivybridge took the lead in the ninth minute when they turned Bath over at a scrum on their line and went down the blindside with Hannah Mills touching down in the corner.
The home side came close to added to their lead but could not make their pressure tell and in the 23rd minute Bath pulled level when Catherine Westley finished off a long-range counter-attack try after Ivybridge had lost a line-out in the Somerset side’s half.
However, Ivybridge went back in front in the 32nd minute with a penalty from Beth Plumpton.
But momentum shifted a bit after Ivybridge picked up some injuries and Westley scored a second try deep in first half injury-time to give Bath a 12-8 half-time lead.
The experienced visitors then dominated the second half.
Centre Bird scored a hat-trick of tries within the first 16 minutes of the second half to put Bath 31-8 ahead.
Winger Olivia Taylor then added to the visitors score before powerful centre Adi Nanise Bale Maisamoa pulled a try back for Ivybridge with an interception effort.
But further tries from Evie England and Emily Cozens wrapped up the full five points for Bath.
Ivybridge will be hoping they can get their first win of the campaign when they visit fellow winless side Trojans Women this coming weekend.
In Women’s NC 2 South West (West), Devonport Services suffered their first defeat of the season as they narrowly went down 33-31 away at Kingsbridge.
After a pretty even opening, Kingsbridge went 28-7 ahead, but Services hit back to at least snatch a couple of points.
Lakaysha Pay scored their first try, which Amy Blaylock converted, before they were awarded a penalty try. Megan Musgrave then added two before Lola Roberts added their fifth, which Blaylock converted.
In NC 3 South West (West), both Plymouth Argaum and Plymouth Albion suffered second consecutive defeats.
Argaum were beaten 45-12 away at Wadebridge Camels, while Albion were beaten 43-0 at home by Helson.
Saltash are still to open their season, but they will do so this coming weekend when they visit newcomers Albion.
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