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Ivel 1XV  22  vs North Dorset   24   -  Home  Southern Counties South
 
Click picture for Ivel try & Man of the Match video clips

This was the game that Ivel needed to use as a way of bouncing back following the defeat to local rivals Sherborne last week. And they so very nearly did.

Ivel came out of the blocks flying and, within 10 minutes, were in the lead. First points came courtesy of a drop goal from Emlyn Kuhn. Steve Blight then added to his try scoring total from second row and Kuhn converted. This electric start faltered as Ivel dropped their concentration and North Dorset upped their game to a higher level.  In the following twenty minutes the away side managed to score points courtesy of incisive running, missed tackles and handling errors from the home side. Ivel got back into the game, but the first half finished with them trailing.

Half time 10-24

The second half began with Ivel’s forwards beginning to dominate and show incredible strength and determination. They were first to win ball at lineouts, rucks and mauls. Back rower Martin Jakes was especially efficient at the lineouts. In fact there were superb performances from all of the pack including Martin Coles, a replacement for Jamie Ritchie.  Martin carried the ball a number of times gaining impressive meterage each time.  It was like he was made for the position. David Salberg added a try, bursting through on the wing. This was added to with a score from hooker Simon Chubb. He touched down following a surge of phase play from his fellow forwards that had the large crowd acting as the sixteenth player with their vociferous support. Sam Armitstead converted to bring the match closer. Captain Kris Shore, recognised as man of the match, kept driving the forwards on. The match finished with Ivel trailing by two points and having a penalty shot at goal following persistent killing of the ball by North Dorset. Unfortunately it just faded at the last moment and referee Rob Watts, who had a good game, blew to end Ivel’s chances of a win.

Ivel Chairman Harold Williams said: “The lads played exceptionally well today. It showed that, apart from some bad luck in earlier games, we would not be in the position we are in now. This was a really strong performance, especially from the forwards, and one that the whole club can be proud of.
 
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North Dorset  73  vs  Ivel  5     Saturday 4th April 2009
 
 
Click picture for Ivel try clip
 
Pictures in section below from Dave Fowler
 
 

This game promised much with a crosswind the only distraction from a sunny afternoon. Ivel needed to win this game to take any crumb of comfort regarding survival in Southern Counties South.

The game started with Ivel on the front foot. They forced the hosts into an early error and were given a penalty in the first couple of minutes. Unfortunately it was not meant to be. The penalty was missed and this spurred on North Dorset more than Ivel. Within five minutes North Dorset had scored a try, following sustained pressure on the Ivel 5 metre line. This was a taste of things to come for Ivel. The referee kept penalising them and indiscipline started to creep in. For the next half hour North Dorset kept on turning the screw and Ivel couldn’t reply with points. Whenever Ivel managed to break through the ball was turned-over or dropped. Then, just before half time, following some good phases of play from the forwards the ball went out wide. A quick interchange of passes between Andy Peel and Dave Salberg saw Andy score for Ivel. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.

Half-time   25-5

The second half did not start off any better for Ivel. Within five minutes they were another ten points down. Another couple of penalties saw North Dorset have a scrum on Ivel’s five metre line. They broke down the blindside and scored their seventh try. This was converted, off the upright. Then Ivel’s David Clegg was sin-binned by the referee for back-chat. This proved costly for the team. With superior numbers the home side scored another four unanswered tries. North Dorset then managed a final try in the last five minutes. Ivel kept battling to the end with hooker Derek Smith having an opportunity on the wing. He was unable to inject the required pace to beat the defence and so ended a chance of a final consolation score.

Full-time  73-5

Ivel have one game left this season, on April 18th, home to Sherborne. The training sessions will still continue to make sure this season finishes on at least one high.