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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.

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

Treeby further extended that lead to 0-6 on 16 minutes before Ivybridge opened their account with a penalty of their own 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.

Treeby added a third penalty on 25 minutes to take Kingsbridge further ahead at 3-9 before Ivybridge 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 and put their catch and drive forwards move to great effect by driving Ivybridge back over their own line.

Flanker Duncan Lilburn gained the vital touchdown and the Ashley Treeby conversion gave Kingsbridge 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.

Kingsbridge at time struggled to keep hold of the ball and it was the hosts who dominated possession for much of the half. With three-quarters of the match gone Ivybridge crossed over to score a second converted try 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

With possession secured at a ten-metre line-out and with the Ivybridge defence tied in, the ball was moved out quickly from the ruck to exploit the overlap for winger Sam Parsons to race into the corner to put the visitors back into the lead by the narrowest of margins at 20-21.

With four minutes remaining and with advantage being played to Kingsbridge, they failed to clear their 22 and instead gave away a penalty which saw Ivybridge 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 and the Blue and Whites were left to rue those chances that got away.

Scorers – Duncan Lilburn (1 try), Sam Parsons (1 try), Ash Treeby ( 3 penalties, 1 conversion). 

This Saturday sees Kingsbridge entertain Torquay at High House at 3pm, with the match been very kindly sponsored by Clearwater Financial Planning.

Kingsbridge A XV travel to face Torquay III's in the Devon Merit Table. The Colts travel to face local rivals Ivybridge in the Devon Colts Merit Table on Friday evening with kick-off at 7.30pm.