Weston slip to another two-point defeat

Regional 1 South West
Ivybridge 29 Weston-super-Mare 27
Report by Chris Heath & John Harding

Weston-super-Mare’s search for a second Regional 1 South West victory of the season continues as they slip to a two-point defeat again as they went down to fellow league strugglers Ivybridge at Cross-in-Hand.

Three league points had separated the two sides going into the game as the league season reached the halfway stage, so Weston were looking to repeat their performance of twelve months ago on the artificial pitch to take them above the Devon side.

The visitors did edge the try count three-two, but the deciding factor was Ivybridge fly-half Matt Grieveson kicking 14 points while his opposite number George Nuttycombe countered with 12.

Weston had led 27-23 going into the final five minutes only for Grieveson to add two penalties to restore the Ivybridge advantage. The visitors were not going to go down without a fight as the hosts knocked-on close to their own line.

The dominance in the scrum which was evident all afternoon saw Weston eventually gain a penalty at the five-metre line. Unsurprisingly instead of a scrum retake on came the kicking tee to give Nuttycombe who had been impeccable up to this point an opportunity to snatch Weston’s second league victory.

Even the Ivybridge supporters and their team management on the touchline sensed that this was going to be their downfall – but it wasn’t to be and Weston had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Despite a promising start by Weston, it was the hosts that took the lead after a catch and drive line-out saw hooker Owen Garner cross the whitewash. Grieveson added the extras and a penalty to build a point cushion.

With the midway point of the half approaching Weston claimed a try through hooker Tom Burge, in only his second senior appearance of the season. Burge benefitting from some great work by the forwards.

Nuttycombe added the conversion and a penalty following good work by centre Bradley McPate to level the scores. Grieveson restored the Ivybridge advantage with a penalty and the conversion of a try from No8 Adam Northcott from a tapped penalty.

Back came Weston with excellent flanker Jay Davis claiming his fifth try of the campaign. The Kiwi racing away for what is becoming a trademark score. Nuttycombe added the conversion which left Weston trailing 20-17 at the break.

Ivybridge extended their lead early in the second half through another Grieveson penalty. With the half-time team-talk still ringing in their ears, Weston hit back. A sweeping move involving prop Sam Coles, full back Chris Young, Davis, and a blistering run by right wing Dominic Marshall who's superb inside pass put scrum half Dan Lomax away.

The conversion from Nuttycombe gave Weston the lead for the first time in the game. But there were still some 30 minutes to play and a great deal at stake for both sides. Nuttycombe added a second penalty to set up a nail-biting climax to the game, only for Grieveson’s two late penalties to give Ivybridge four league points.

On Saturday, Weston travel to Polson Bridge to face fourth-placed Launceston, kick-off 3 pm, after the Cornish side’s home game at the weekend against Exmouth was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Ivybridge scorers – tries: Owen Garner, Adam Northcott; cons: Matt Grieveson (2); pens: Matt Grieveson (5).

Weston-super-Mare scorers – tries: Tom Burge, Jay Davis, Dan Lomax; cons: George Nuttycombe (3), pens: George Nuttycombe (2)

Photos HERE courtesy of Mark Mathews