Devon Cup

Kingsbridge U13s 3,

Ivybridge U13s 0

Kings' well organised itinerary had them arrive for an early team lunch at neutral ground, Tiverton RFC in preparation for the Devon Cup final against Ivybridge.

Kings kicked off and tore into the first maul with real intent winning the ball from a strong and well organised Ivybridge pack and continued to dominate the breakdown with discipline and commitment to provide plenty of possession.

The Kings' backline was tentative in the early exchanges showing minimal penetration in the face of a very quick and efficient Ivybridge defensive line.

The nervous tension in the stand was palpable during a first half which was balanced on a knife edge.

Ivybridge made good use of their possession with strong running by their backs and looked certain to score when their left winger, showing real pace, was put in space out wide only to be pulled down by a certain try scoring tackle by Toby Baldry.

The Kingsbridge forwards continued to have the edge at scrum time and at the breakdown.

From quick recycled ball just inside their own half, Will Holliss took off on the blindside, feeding Will John, who deftly offloaded to Marcel Purchase.

Purchase, coming on to the ball at speed, went around two Ivybridge defenders on the outside and looked to have scored a wonderful 50-metre try, only to be pulled back for a foot in touch.

Although there was no score by half-time, this was a game full of nail-biting excitement and the standard of rugby on show was of the highest and a real credit to the coaches and supporters of both clubs.

There was a period of play midway through the second half in which Ivybridge started to put a string of penetrating phases together and it looked like the momentum was swinging slightly in their favour.

However, the Kings forwards dug deep and regained their edge after showing exemplary determination in maintaining their discipline during multiple scrum restarts and finally won a penalty in front of the posts which Tom Newman knocked over.

The balance of play went backwards and forwards and either team could have taken victory, with the crowd holding its breath.

Kings were holding on to their narrow lead, so it was a moment of sheer euphoria for the Kings' camp when the final whistle went.

It must not go unmentioned that the Kings success was very much a squad success and full credit must go, not just to the players who were fortunate enough to get on the pitch, but to those who were on the bench and without whom there is no doubt a successful season would not have been possible.

Special mention must also be made to man of the match and Kings' captain Ivor Matthews, whose positive influence on the match was only surpassed by the respect which he is given by his team mates for his mature leadership.