Latest victory moves Ivybridge RFC into third

IVYBRIDGE won 31-12 at Crediton to move up to third in the latest South West Two table.

Tiverton (20pts), the Bridge and North Petherton (both 19) all moved up a notch as a consequence of second-placed Okehampton’s (16) home defeat by leaders Penzance (23).

As Petherton face Okehampton this Saturday, at the same time as Penzance square-up to Tiverton, the top-of-the-table picture could quickly change again.

Crediton matched Ivybridge score for score up to half time. After the break it was ‘3-0’ on tries to Ivybridge as they home side ran out of puff.

“Crediton stuck at it but, I think, their forwards had scrummed so well all game they ran out of steam with 30 to go and it was all us up to the final whistle,” said Steve Atkinson, the Ivybridge head coach.

“We never really looked like losing even when they managed to claw it back to 12-12 just before half time.”

Rob Avery-Wright, the former Plymouth Albion player now in charge at Crediton, saw it a little differently.

“Ivybridge were superior to us in nearly every area of the game,” said Avery-Wright. “The one notable exception was the scrum, where our power was evident and we were able to exert some real pressure.

“As we know, a dominant scrum alone is not enough to win a rugby match.”

Charlie Teague and James Cantin scored the first half tries, one of which was converted by Harry Newman-Wild, to put the Bridge 12-0 up.

Although Crediton were level by the break, Atkinson wasn’t too concerned.

“We had played to play some good rugby in conditions that were not great and kept to our systems,” he said. “Even when we went into half time tied I said to the lads we didn’t need to panic or change anything.”

With the wind behind them in the second half, and veteran fly-half Matt Grieveson pulling the strings in the backfield, Ivybridge were able to play in the right parts of the pitch.

“Matt commanded the forwards around the park and they laid it out for our backs to get the yards,” said Atkinson.

Among the forwards laying things on for the backs was returnee Scott Puleston, who re-joined Ivybridge last week after 13 seasons with Brixham.

“The boys have taken to Scott and he is going to be good for us,” said Atkinson.

Cantin and Teague both scored again after the break. There was also a try for Newman-Wild, who added two more conversions.

Wes Vermigle was named man-of-the-match, a decision endorsed by Atkinson.

“Wes carried really well around the park and made some great chop tackles, even when our scrum was going backwards,” said Atkinson.

As previously mentioned, Okehampton surrendered second place when they suffered a 13-5 home defeat by leaders Penzance.

Brett Luxton, the Okehampton coach, said: “Penzance were a very mature team with good decision makers in the right positions.

“The conditions were attritional and Penzance adapted to them better.”

Dan Butt scored an under-the-posts try for Okehampton. The conversion kick was blown off course!

Other results saw Tiverton win 29-24 at home against Nailsea & Backwell, North Petherton prevail on the road over Winscombe and Wiveliscombe come out on top against Sherborne.

Third-placed Ivybridge will be looking to avoid a scare when they host winless and rock-bottom Winscombe on Halloween.