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Western Counties West

Ivybridge 23,

 

Kingsbridge's three-year hold on the South Hams Trophy came to an end on Saturday as they were narrowly beaten by local rivals Ivybridge at Cross-In-Hand in the WCW league.

Following the 12-12 draw at High House earlier in the season and with both teams in the lower half of the league, this was always likely to be close and tight encounter.

Both sides were battling to finish as the highest-placed South Hams team in the WCW league at the end of the season.

It was certainly a game of two halves, with Kingsbridge having by far the better of the first half and Ivybridge coming back strongly at the Blue and Whites during the second.

Ivybridge have made something of a name for themselves regarding comebacks this season, and the South Hams derby provided the pefect showcase fo another ine example.

Kingsbridge opened the scoring on five minutes when Ivybridge were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown and Kings slotted over the kick.

Kings further extended that lead to 0-6 on 16 minutes before Ivybridge opened their account with a penalty of their own through Matt Grieveson to reduce the deficit to 3-6.

The visitors enjoyed several periods of sustained pressure within the Ivybridge 22 during the opening twenty minutes, but were unable to turn that pressure into serious points as the Ivybridge defence held firm.

Kings added a third penalty on 25 minutes to go further ahead at 3-9 before Grieveson again replied to make it 6-9 on 36 minutes.

With half time rapidly approaching, Kingsbridge took possession at the line-out ten metres from the Ivybridge line, flanker Duncan Lilburn gaining the vital touchdown from a catch-and-drive and the conversion giving the visitors a 6-16 interval lead.

In the second half Ivybridge came out a different side and had soon reduced the deficit to 13-16 with a converted try from a well-worked move, finished off byHayden Coles.

Ivybridge were gaining in confidence now and with three-quarters of the match gone Ivybridge crossed over to score a second converted try through fly-half Grieveson to take the lead for the first time at 20-16.

Back came Kingsbridge again in the latter stages of the match with a period of pressure in the Ivybridge 22

Winger Sam Parsons raced in at the corner to put the visitors back into the lead by the narrowest of margins at 20-21.

With four minutes remaining the game looked up for the Green and Blacks, but nobody who has been at Cross-in-Hand this season rules anything out any more.

And so it proved, with advantage being played to Kingsbridge, they failed to clear their 22 and instead gave away a penalty which saw the nerveless Grieveson slot the kick between the uprights to retake the lead at 23-21.

Kingsbridge immediately took play back into the Ivybridge half and with only a minute remaining were rewarded with a penalty of their own to close the game out.

Agonisingly for the visitors, the kick at goal went wide to let the crowd celebrate a victory which puts them seven points clear of their arch rivals.

the only games remaining for Ivybridge in the league are their trip to Okehampton this Saturday and then a home fixture against Penryn.