IVYBRIDGE claimed their first away victory of the season as they beat Crediton 31-12 at Blagdon on Saturday in Regional Two South West.
The five-point win on the road has moved the Bridgers up into third place in the standings.
“It was a great away win,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.
“We never really looked like losing even when they managed to claw it back to 12-12 just before half-time.
“We started off really well playing some great rugby.
“Obviously, the weather conditions weren’t great and there were lots of scrums and line-outs, but we still managed to play some good rugby and keep to our systems.
“Even when we went into half-time at a tie, I said to the lads we don’t need to panic or change anything and they responded really well.
“We ended up with the wind in the second half and played the corners very well and managed the game really well, particularly Matt Grieveson at 10.
“He was commanding the forwards around the park and they laid it out for our backs to get the yards.
“Fair play to Crediton, they stuck at it, but I think their forwards had scrummed so well all game they ran out of steam with 30 to go and it was all us till the final whistle.”
Atkinson had praise for prop Wes Vermigle, who claimed their man of the match award.
“He carried really well around the park and made some great chop tackles even when our scrum was going backwards,” said Atkinson.
Having turned ends at 12-12, Ivybridge really stepped it up in the second half with the wind in their favour.
Harry Newman-Wild, playing at full-back, put them back into the lead with a try, which he also converted.
Then Charlie Teague touched down to make it 24-12 before James Cantin crossed the whitewash to seal the victory. Cantin had also scored in the first half along with Charlie Teague to set Ivybridge on the way to their first away victory of the season.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
THERE was disappointment for both Saltash and Devonport Services II in Western West on Saturday.
Saltash were narrowly beaten 19-12 in wet and windy conditions at home by Truro, while Services II went down 33-17 away at Newton Abbot.
It was Saltash’s third defeat by just one score in their opening five games.
They had got their first win the previous week at Torquay, but Truro appeared to enjoy the horrible conditions just a bit better on Saturday.
The match had been in doubt after the posts at Moorlands Lane had been blown down by Storm Austen on Friday.
But with support from their sponsors, they were able to repair and re-erect them in time for Saturday’s match.
Torrential rain and a howling wind could have put paid to any open flowing rugby, but to their credit, both sides made an effort to play an open game.
Truro went ahead after just three minutes when they went over for a converted try to take the lead.
The Ashes woke up and produced some positive rugby and after a number of phases, centre Greg Eatwell went over for a try to reduce the arrears to 7-5.
Saltash kept their foot on the pedal and a moment of brilliance from returning centre Danny Snook saw him put a chip over the defence for Greg Eatwell to dive on the loose ball for a second try.
Scrum-half Jack Pritchard added the conversion to put Saltash 12-7 in front after 13 minutes.
The visitors kept plugging away and put themselves in good field position. And following a line-out they scored a try for a 14-12 lead, which they held at half-time.
As the second period wore on, the visitors gained control of the game, but the Ashes defence was keeping them at bay, although they did concede a series of penalties at the breakdown.
But with six minutes to go, Truro managed to breakthrough the home defence to score a third try and seal the victory.
The Ashes put everything into levelling the score but could not get over the line.
Devonport Services II’s wait for their first league win since their promotion goes on as they were beaten 33-17 away at Newton Abbot.
Services II did have Ewan Piercy, Elliott Lupson, Cam Donkin, Josh Martin and Ethan Hilland back, but Newton Abbot used their pack well in the wet and windy conditions.
“We struggled up front unfortunately,” said Services coach Matt Gregory.
“It was a wet day and their set-piece dominated us, which was a shame.
“We played some really nice rugby when we had the ball but just didn’t have it enough.
“I think on a dry-track it might have been closer, but you have to play in all conditions.”
Services II’s tries came from Piercy, Olly Mytton and Will Pooley.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
LEWIS PATERSON scored an impressive five tries as leaders Plymstock Oaks continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 59-0 home victory over Tavistock in horrendous conditions at Horsham Fields on Saturday.
Battling Storm Beolo, Oaks took a bit of time to get going and it was only 7-0 until the 26th minute.
But with Richard West and Paterson using their kicking game and experience well, they eventually started running in the tries that they have been doing all season.
It was the fourth time in five games they had scored more than 50 points, having also done the same against Honiton, South Molton and Brixham II at home, so Tavistock should not be too disheartened.
“We elected to go up the hill in the first half as we thought passing off our right hand into the wind might give us the momentum, but it was a bit difficult to get into,” said Oaks coach Mike Lewis.
“I think both teams found it difficult. Passes were going astray, but I think Paul Ansell refereed it really well as he kept the game going longer when things were marginal, which saved us about 30 extra scrums.
“It did take a bit of time to get into, but once both teams did, there was a bit of a flow, even though it did stop a bit.”
Lewis admitted Paterson and West really led by example in poor conditions.
“Patty was fantastic,” he said. “He scored five tries and they have all come from really simple moves where we have drawn the defenders in and he’s got on the outside shoulder with a one-on-one – and he’s not getting stopped from there.
“Westy, as well, was good with his kicking game. In the first half, it really nullified them. He got a couple of 50-22s by using the wind really well. Those type of things do change the momentum of games and we were probably missing that a bit last week.”
He added: “I thought our defence was formidable as every time they got the ball, we made sure we were in shape, we were moving off the line and we were getting two-man hits on their ball carriers, as we knew that what you needed to do was get a three-man pod off the nine just to get a bit of forward momentum. We just thought that if we target that, we might get a bit of mileage off it.
“The boys defended like champions, even in the last five minutes when it was freezing cold, wet and the game was already gone.”
Tavistock head coach Leigh Puttock said: “They (Oaks) are at the top end of our league and we have to accept that. At least it’s out of the way.
“I thought they had the better players and more experience in key positions, and so deserved to win it by a margin, but maybe not by that much.”
Tavistock did get undone a few times by hopeful kicks by Oaks that the visitors just did not deal with.
“It’s not our strength dropping down on balls,” admitted Puttock. “I do say to them weekly, that if a ball is on the floor they need to be the first one on it.
“But we do tend to want to play everything on our feet and not get down and dirty.
“The thing with us is we either have old heads or really young players who are still learning and nothing in between.”
Puttock, though, was again pleased with his side’s scrum.
“I struggle to see a better scrum in the league,” he said. “But we need to defend better as a team away from the ruck. Everyone wants to look at the ruck, but now modern teams want to throw it about even in the wind, and we need to be more square and defend out, rather than all in looking at the ruck.
“And our game management has to be better.”
Oaks, playing up the slope, took the lead in the fourth minute when Paterson got his first of the afternoon after a good move following a line-out.
The next 20 minutes saw lots of dropped balls as both sides struggled to get to grips with the terrible conditions.
But in the 26th minute, Oaks doubled their lead when Tom Richards scored following a penalty and West again added the conversion.
That became 21-0 in the 29th minute when Tyler Busfield finished off a well-worked try started deep in their own half with Ollie White and West having a big part to play.
Despite the windy conditions, West again converted.
And a minute before the break, Plymstock scored their fourth try when Paterson scored on the right after Tavistock failed to deal with some hopeful kicking forward.
The home team took less than a minute to increase their lead after the interval when scrum-half Harry Toghill dived over the whitewash and West again converted.
Toghill then added a second three minutes later when he sneaked down the blindside following a maul.
In the final 12 minutes player-coach Paterson added another three tries to cap a memorable afternoon.
Tavistock did have some pressure on Oaks’ line in the second period, but they just could not get over the whitewash to at least get a consolation effort.
OPMs claimed their third win in four games as they beat bottom side Crediton 37-0 in poor conditions at King George V Playing Fields.
Fred Smale scored a hat-trick of tries for the home side, with his brother Matt also adding one and Will Mills and Will Brooksbank also touching down as the Old Boys moved up to sixth in the standings.
“We were very efficient in getting the job done,” said head coach Davy McGregor.
“The conditions were horrible.
“But fair play to Crediton, some of them travelled two hours to get down here and they were out warming up early.
“Yet we just controlled the game as we needed to do.
“We were only 5-0 up at half-time and it was not a star-studded game, but in the second half we just played the conditions exactly the way we wanted to do.
“I was very happy.”
COUNTIES THREE
OLD TECHS and Ivybridge dug deep in tough conditions to maintain their 100 per cent records in Counties Three Devon South & West.
Techs triumphed 20-14 away at Torquay Athletic II, while Ivybridge II overcame neighbours Plymstock Oaks II 28-0 at Cross-in-Hand.
Both clubs scored four tries to also pick up the bonus points which means they each have a maximum 25 points out of 25 ahead of their meeting at Weston Mill next weekend.
Techs knew a trip to Torquay’s Recreation Ground, which is next to the sea, during a storm would be tricky, and especially with the Tics’ first team not in action.
“Fair play to Torquay, they had a proper second team out,” said Techs chairman David Evans. “Some clubs around might have strengthened.
“They gave us the option of cancelling due to the weather, but everyone said they wanted to play it.
“It was a tough, competitive game in horrendous conditions, but we toughed it out. Sometimes you have to win ugly – and that’s what we did.
“It’s five from five – four of which have been away from home – so we can’t complain, but we have a massive game next week.”
Techs had Kieran Hurrell scoring two tries, with Josh O’Hare and Lewis Tunnicliffe, who was playing hooker on Saturday, bagging their others.
Ivybridge II were made to work much harder than they have done so far this season to see off Oaks II 28-0 at Cross-in-Hand.
The Bridgers’ second team had been averaging 84 points a game in their opening four fixtures, but Oaks II gave them a proper test.
Ivybridge, who included new signing Scott Puleston in their pack, alongside Marcus Prout, Ben Winters and Cam Wallace, scored two tries in each half.
Hooker Wallace and flanker Fin Hamilton were among their try scorers, with Luke Martell kicking all four tries despite the strong wind.
Tamar Saracens have moved up to fourth in the standings, despite starting the campaign on minus five points, after they claimed their fourth win in five matches by beating Paignton II 13-8 at the Parkway.
Sarries were 5-0 down at half-time but two Rob Hall penalties and a converted Robbie Fowler try was enough for them to secure the win.
“It was an atrocious day,” said Saracens’ Pete Lethbridge. “It was 5-0 to Paignton at half-time.
“We did control the game and were looking quite good but in the first half we didn’t take any of our opportunities.
“We kicked too much away, but defensive wise we were really good.
“We got the win, which was good, even if it wasn’t pretty.
“It was a tough game. Paignton are a decent side, so it was a good win.
“It wasn’t a pretty game and either team could have won it as it was so close.
“But our ball handling skills were really good in the wet. It was really encouraging.”
Plymouth Argaum returned to winning ways with a 57-5 home victory over struggling Kingsbridge II in miserable conditions at Bickleigh Down.
It was Argaum’s third win of the season and came after they saw a host of players return after missing their defeats to Tamar Saracens and Ivybridge II.
Argaum were able to field the three Goucher brothers – Reece, Owen and Callum – for the first time in a game. They also had Tom Holliday, Chris Perkins and Dan Smith back in the starting line-up.
“We had so many players available this week, which was good,” said head coach Martyn Hendy.
“If we’d had this team against Saracens it might have been different. I’m not saying we would have won, but I doubt it would have been 30-0.”
He added: ““It was a good game of rugby, played in good spirits.
“They (Kingsbridge) stuck at it. You might have thought they would have rolled over in that weather, but they didn’t.
“It was a good, honest, clean game of rugby and ball handling was good considering the conditions.”
All three Goucher brothers managed to get on the scoresheet, while Dan Smith and Adam McCrohan also touched down for the home team.
Plympton Victoria are still winless after they were beaten 39-0 at home by Dartmouth, who were able to travel with a strong squad to St Mary’s Field.
Plym Vic battled hard, but there were struggling a bit with availability again.
In Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II were beaten 59-7 away at third-placed Hayle. Lock Dylan Lamerton scored the Ashes’ only try, which was converted by Ross Martin.
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