Ivybridge RFC 24,

Salcombe RFC 5

Salcombe went to Ivybridge expecting a practice match against their seconds, but found that their firsts hadn't got a game and as their midweek game had been cancelled, they fancied an outing!

Thus Ivybridge fielded a squad of over 40 to Salcombe's 19 and always had fresh legs to bring on in a game of four quarters and rolling subs.

In the circumstances, Salcombe did magnificently to lose only two of the quarters and draw the other two.

The Crabs started well playing up the slope, and it wasn't until late in the first quarter that the home side stretched the Salcombe defence to get the try.

This was quickly followed up with another as Salcombe were outweighed in the scrum and the quarter ended 14-0 to Ivybridge. The second quarter was more even with Ivybridge scoring just one unconverted try.

Turning round to play downhill for the third quarter Salcombe played their best rugby against a side with 12 of the home side's first team.

Following an early unconverted try from Ivybridge, Salcombe made good use of the slope and deft kicking by Chris Drew, Luke Cole and Darren Hopkins kept the home side pinned back.

At a lineout 15 yards out Sean Baker took a clean catch and and in a beautiful drive, the forwards got to within three yards of the Ivybridge line.

Calmly the Crabs put in several phases retaining the ball until fittingly captain Lewis Winzer fed the ball to brother and vice captain Stuart, who went over for the try.

Drew's first kick since April failed but the quarter ended a try apiece. The last quarter also ended in a draw with neither side scoring.

This was a great performance by the Crabs, who were still missing some of their regular players, and in particular it was a testament to Jamie Laban's fitness training, which saw Salcombe through 80 gruelling minutes against a heavier side who constantly brought on fresh legs.

The backs worked well as a unit with some slick passing and it was nice to see Luke Cole back in action at inside centre.

Rupert Bevan put in some crunching tackles and the forwards worked well as a unit, with Jim Winzer and new signing Simon Walters-Symons particularly prominent.

On the evidence of this match, new coach Adrian Masters has done very well in drilling the squad to cut out many of the unforced errors, to run straight and always support the ball carrier.

A good season beckons.