Western Counties West

Ivybridge 1st XV 18

Okehampton Chiefs 21

HAVING recently secured their first win of the season against fellow strugglers Bideford, players and officials were in an upbeat mood travelling to Ivybridge. With a full strength side including the welcome return of Ali Mason and the now regular appearance of Arnie Searle, morale and confidence were beginning to show.

The Chiefs started well with a strong wind behind them but after conceding possession Ivybridge attacked the try-line only to knock the ball on and award the Chiefs a scrum.

With Dom Vandendorpe making his debut at hooker, replacing club captain Bruce Griffiths, who had been sidelined with a broken thumb, the first scrum was always going to be difficult. Unfortunately the Chiefs surrendered the ball, the Ivybridge No 8 picked it up from the base of the scrum, fed the scrum half who provided the scoring pass for the Ivybridge centre to score.

Shortly after the Chiefs conceded a penalty under the posts which the home side converted.

From the restart the Chiefs pressured with several good attacking moves. Second row Ian Scrivener took a quick tap penalty and barged his way over for a try. This was converted by Searle.

The Chiefs immediately resumed with good spells of attacking play initiated with bullock-like runs from the visiting No 8 Mason.

The referee awarded two penalties in quick succession and Searle stepped up and gratefully accepted the six points. Half-time and the Chiefs were leading 13-8.

The Chiefs were now facing a strong wind and playing slightly uphill. The home side sensed their advantage and pressured in all areas. Dave Chowings, the Chiefs? coach, decided to change the front row. He brought on replacement prop Dave Howarth and removed Vandendorpe and moved veteran Martin White from tight head prop to hooker.

This turned out to be a well timed move - with the scrum now steady the Chiefs could start to rebuild. After another good combined effort from the ever buzzing Bickle and his outstanding back row forwards the Chiefs pressured the home side once more with the referee awarding another penalty to them which moved the score onto 16-8.

This stung Ivybridge into life and they played some of their best rugby of the match, but over elaboration and tenacious tackling by the Chiefs ensured the visitors? line would not be breached.

During one attack the Chiefs suffered the loss of hard tackling Lee Pengelly with a suspected broken arm. After a lengthy delay the game continued and the Chiefs found themselves on the attack near the home side try-line. Quick ball from a ruck enabled Bickle to find Scrivener who having displayed surreal composure laid the ball off to Graham Sage to score in the corner.

Ivybridge threw everything at the Chiefs who tackled as if their lives depended on it, but eventually the back line was beaten and the home side scored under the posts which was converted.

With ten minutes to play the Chiefs again found themselves under pressure and after good play by Ivybridge the stand off slotted an easy drop goal.

The Chiefs held on for the next five minutes with outstanding defence. The final whistle was blown and victory secure.

This win lifts the Chiefs off the bottom of the table, two points above Bideford.