The Ivybridge line held

Devon RFSU 18 Group Cup semi -final

Ivybridge College 1st XV 23

Kelly College 1st XV 17

AS last year, Ivybridge emerging victorious by a single score but it could have been so different. Kelly won the toss and elected to play against the strong wind.

Both sides swapped early penalties before Kelly launched a loop move inside the Ivybridge 22, which allowed captain Ollie Pitts to speed through for a try. Dan Green narrowly missed the conversion.

Ivybridge stormed back. In seven minutes, they scored a straightforward penalty and a fine drop goal to restore their lead 9-8, before going over for two power tries as their forwards drove around the fringes. Both tries were converted and Kelly were trailing 8-23.

However, such is the character and spirit within the Kelly camp that they refused to lie down and accept their fate. With the wind at their backs, Kelly lashed Ivybridge with wave after wave of attacks, big hits and high, steepling kicks. James Myerscough was immense in the tight; Mike Myerscough dominant in the lineouts and Ollie Pitts threatened every time he came into the line from full back.

Kelly earned a penalty, 11-23; another penalty 14-23. Phil Jeffery and Ollie Pitts were pulled down inches from the Ivybridge line and still the pressure mounted. A final penalty, superbly struck by Green from halfway brought Kelly to within a single score, 17-23.

With five minutes remaining, Mark Slee was desperately pushed out in the corner, Andy Barwick driven back a metre from the line and Mark Galliford, with only one man to beat, was well tackled by the Ivybridge full back. But unfortunately for the Tavistock team, the Ivybridge line held, their back row, who had been superb all afternoon, and done just enough. Ivybridge were through to their third consecutive final and Kelly had lost their fourth semi-final in five years.