Ivybridge 24 Weston 20

Ivybridge 24-20 Weston super mare
Ivybridge started the day in second place in South West Premier with 5 wins from 5 outings. Weston conversely were in 13th place with one win from 5 games.
In the opening minutes of the game spectators could have been forgiven for thinking that the fortunes of the two sides were reversed as Weston attacked from the off. There were surging runs from both wingers and the forwards drove relentlessly at the heart of the Ivybridge defence. After three phases 5 metres out from the Ivybridge line it was Brad Talbot who drove over to score the opening try which George Chapman converted.
The next 15 minutes of the game saw Ivybridge come back into contention and their forwards picked up some momentum and recycled the ball very effectively. Ackerman on the left wing was put into space and he dived over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Ivybridge kept up the pressure and scored their second try when right wing Billy Pinkus crossed. He converted his own try and with 25 minutes gone Ivybridge had taken a five point lead 12 -7. The game continued with both sides evenly matched although Weston’s pack was beginning to assert significant dominance at the set piece and from an infringement Chapman stepped up to claim three points with a well taken penalty in very gusty conditions. The half ended with Weston trailing by 2 points.
Playing into the diminishing breeze Weston restarted very strongly and a marvellous break in the centre by Marcus Nel set up a good position and after excellent work by the forwards Sam Fisher was on hand to end the move with Weston’s second try. Chapman converted and Weston had taken the lead 12-17.
Despite some excellent play from Weston they were caught twice in 10 minutes with breakdown infringements and Pinkus converted both penalties for Ivybridge to retake the lead by a single point.
Weston’s pack continued to dominate and a penalty by the home side allowed Chapman to kick at goal and his attempt from 40 metres regained the lead for Weston.
Weston were their own worst enemy in the next passage of play and gave away a further two penalties that the very reliable Pinkus kicked for Ivybridge to take a four point lead going into the last 8 minutes.
The whole of this final period saw Weston camped just five metres from the Ivybridge try line and under the posts. There were penalties galore as the Weston pack opted for the scrummage and drove at the Ivybridge line. First Talbot touched down but was belatedly adjudged to have been held up. Then Streeter crossed and the ref brought play back for another penalty to Weston. Again Weston opted for the scrum and drove at the line. Moving closer and closer to the try line Ivybridge infringed again and this time their hooker was yellow carded.
The final scrum was shambolic with Weston being judged to have pushed early and Ivybridge managed to scramble the ball away as the ref blew for no side. Weston, and indeed the home side were all astonished that the passage of play which included four penalties to Weston from scrum infringements had not led to a penalty try which would have given Weston a very well deserved victory.
Weston picked up a losing bonus but will be frustrated that this had not been the four points they so richly deserved. Never has the old adage “We was robbed” felt more appropriate. Despite having arguably the most dominant pack in the league referees seem not to allow such teams to take full advantage of this very demonstrable advantage. Weston will need to suck up their annoyance and frustration and use to it to properly punish sides in the remaining games during which, surely, the rub of the green will start to go Weston’s way.