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Ivel 1XV  16  vs Oldfield Old Boys  19   -  Home  Southern Counties South
 
Click picture for Ivel try video clip

This was a game Ivel should have won and could have won. Ivel started the game with one of their strongest squads so far this season. Ivel took the lead, in the first half, through a Sam Armitstead penalty following some excellent forwards play. Then the foot came off the gas for a bit and this allowed the visitors in to score 11 points. Unlike previous matches Ivel kept their heads and went back on the attack. Following some quick work in the opposition’s 22, scrum-half Danny Anderson made a break for the line. He was held up but loose-forward Elwyn White was on hand to touch down by the posts. Sam Armitstead scored the conversion. Half-time 10-16.

 

The second half was a much tighter affair, with Ivel’s forwards continuing to put in a dominating performance in the scrums and line-outs. Continually driving back the Oldfield pack. So much pressure was exerted that the visitors conceded 2 more penalties to the boot of Sam Armitstead.  Ivel had more opportunities to score but stout defence from Oldfield, silly infringements and decisions going against them meant that they couldn’t add to their points tally. In fact it was Oldfield that had the last say with a penalty, right in front of the posts. Final score 16-19.

 

A club spokesman said: “This was a frustrating afternoon for us. Having a tight and close game means nothing if you don’t get the result. You can’t fault the lads for the effort they put in. It’s just eliminating the errors and playing to our undoubted strengths that will win us games.”
 
Oldfield Old Boys 1XV  17  vs  Ivel 1XV  27    Away Saturday 20th December 2008
 
 
Click pictures for Ivel try video clips
 
Pictures in section below from Dave Fowler
 
 
Ivel gave themselves and their supporters an early Christmas present with their first away win of the season at Oldfield Old Boys.  The Barbarians travelled to Bath with a much changed back line due to unavailability's but started the game much brighter taking the game to their opponents, with only 5 minutes on the clock Oldfield conceded a free kick from a scrum which was taken quickly, good quick hands from the backs saw centre Tom Armitstead cut a great line slicing through the defence, he found a well timed pass to put his brother DJ over in the corner for the opening try.  Ivel continued to pile on the pressure in their opponents 22, Oldfield eventually giving away a penalty in front of the post which Tom Armitstead slotted. 
 
Oldfield started to get themselves back into the game helped by a series of penalties, the first was kicked aided by the strong wind, then Ivel fell asleep from the next penalty which was tapped quickly, the ball found it's way to the winger who squeezed over in the corner.  Then came the try of the match, full back Dave Salberg collected a high ball on his own 10 metre line, he beat the first 2 defenders and headed up field at pace on a mazy run, the support was excellent from veteran No8 and 'Man of the Match' Martin Jakes and Prop 'Dinger' Bell, from the ensuing ruck the ball was spun quickly to Tom Armitstead who stepped back inside beating 3 defenders to dot down near the posts for a great team try.
 
Ivel typically lost concentration at a vital time just before half time and allowed their opponents to break through the midfield and score under the posts.  The half time score was 17 - 15 to the home side.
 
Playing with the wind and the slope Ivel sensed the opportunity for victory, both sides came out playing for field position and with 15 minutes to go neither team had scored.  Ivel kicked a penalty right into the Oldfield corner and spent the next 10 minutes hammering the line, hooker Simon Chubb went over twice only to be denied by the referee for being held up on both occasions.  From the resulting scrum Martin Jakes picked up, stepped inside and powered his way over for a well deserved try. 
 
From the restart Oldfield applied pressure and gained a turnover, they threw everything they had at the defence but some valiant last ditch tackling held them out gaining a vital relieving penalty.  All Ivel had to do was kick the ball into touch but the wind took charge and kept it in play, a great chase put their winger under pressure who has tackled hard by Andy Bailey, a series of hard hits and fumbles drove Oldfield back towards their line, the ball came loose and winger DJ was on hand pick up and score his second try of the match.  The final whistle blew to scenes of celebration.
 
Ivel player coach Owen Salmon commented 'We knew we could come here and get a result, we should have beat them at home last month but our mistakes let them back in, today we played with composure and didn't panic when we needed to score, this just shows the progression of the side because 4 weeks ago I don't think we would've closed the game out.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank a great travelling support who cheer us on at every match'.