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south west one west

Ivybridge 38,

North Petherton 24

Ivybridge face a first plays second showdown tomorrow when they take on Cleve at their place, with Ivy­bridge's best attack in the league coming up against the meanest defence writes Tim Leigh.

Ivybridge set the early pace, but were overhauled by Cleve during their recent run of losses, which ended with last weekend's victory over North Petherton.

However, a win tomorrow could see Ivy close the gap between the two teams to just one point.

Ivybridge, coming off the back of four straight losses in the league, got off to a flying start against Peth­erton, with flanker Alex Hall crossing for a try, converted by fly-half Matt Grieveson.

The visitors narrowed the gap to four points with a penalty not long after, but when Adam Clayson went over in the corner Ivy extended their lead.

An interception try by the visitors kept them in touch at 12-10 before the Bridge put their foot the floor in the second quarter.

A penalty by Grieve­son was followed by prop Reece Adams crashing over from the line-out as the home side eased into a comfortable lead at 20-10.

There was still time before the break for winger Hayden Coles to waltz over in the corner, again unconverted, and extend the Bridge's lead to a commanding 25-10 at the half-time whistle, securing the attacking bonus point at the same time.

However, Ivybrid­ge's problem has been staying in front, not getting there, this season, and once again a fired-up Petherton came back at Ivybridge on the resumption. Two converted tries saw the healthy lead reduced to just a point as the momentum look­ed to be turning, before two quick-fire penalties from Grieve­son gave Ivies some breathing space once more at 31-24.

The final touch and a much-needed five points were secured when Clayson went over for his second of the match under the posts.

Grievespn slotted the extras to round off a well-deserved victory and give Ivybridge a much-needed confidence boost ahead of tomorrow's match.