Ivel made the short trip to Sherborne knowing that victory today was a must. Preparation was good with a productive training session on Thursday and the team went into the game with a positive attitude.
 
The first half started well, with Ivel putting Sherborne under pressure and they were camped in the opposition half for long periods of the game. But they just couldn't convert pressure into points. Sherborne had 3 attacks into the Ivel half and came back with points. Ivel scrummaged well and the line-out system worked, but they couldn't benefit from it. Ivel’s centres played very well, punching the ball up but they couldn't get quick ball away and increase the attacks.

 Half time 15 - 0

The second half was a repeat of the first in that Ivel couldn't convert pressure into points. Ivel even scored a try which, unfortunately, an unsighted referee disallowed, saying it wasn’t grounded. Despite protests from the Ivel support that it was clearly touched down from their viewpoint. The only points from both sides in the second half came from the boot of Ivel’s Sam Armitstead. He managed to slot over a penalty. This was a game the home side won because of too many mistakes from Ivel which Sherborne pounced on and slowed the game down.
 
The Ivel team were very disappointed after the game but all is not lost and the team is looking forward to North Dorset next week.

This was a game that had all the prospects of being a battle royal. And it didn’t disappoint. The match for the “Bill Rowsell Memorial Cup” was the final league game for two sides that should not be in the league position they started the day in.

Sherborne started the stronger and, within five minutes, were ahead through a try scored by their number eight Dave Hobden. Gavin Smart added the conversion. That could have been the start of a rout, but Ivel are made of sterner stuff and within quick time they were level. Some excellent forward play saw Ivel up in the Sherborne 22 and Rhys Biggin found a gap. His try was converted by Sam Armitstead. Sherborne then began to let their pack go to work and they dominated the early scrums. Ivel spent the next twenty minutes in their own half, holding back the tide. It was only a combination of Sherborne’s lack of basic handling at crucial times and Ivel’s dogged defence that kept the scores level.

Half-time 7-7

The second half began at the same frenetic pace that the first half finished at. This time it was Ivel who struck early. Sherborne infringed inside their own half. The referee then moved the penalty ten metres closer to their line following some back-chat. Sam Armitstead saw the opportunity and, whilst the players were still trying to organise themselves he took the tap and went through a gap. He side-footed the ball through, the Sherborne defender failed to hold on and Sam touched down. He then added the conversion. This woke Sherborne up and the game became even more exciting. The bumper crowd of upwards 400 people began to enjoy themselves. The next points came three quarters of the way through the second half. Following an Ivel infringement, Gavin Smart scored a penalty. Within a couple of minutes Sherborne broke from their own half  and only a superb tackle by Danny Heseltine saw the score remain unchanged. Ivel then began to tighten the screw with some pressure of their own. This caused Sherborne to make errors and go backwards. An opportunity came to Sam Armitstead for a drop goal. And he took it with cool and calm ease. The seven point lead allowed Ivel to dictate the game, putting kicks into the corners behind the Sherborne defence and pressurising them into errors. Sherborne were having to run from deep but they never really got into Ivel’s half. The last five minutes saw Ivel a fixture inside Sherborne’s 10 metre line with scrum after scrum. The visitor’s defence had to be strong and it was. A superb display from the forwards, especially man of the match Ed Mason and Martin Jakes, showed the real potential for next season. Ivel finished the match on top and the stronger of the two sides. The moves planned on the training pitch by Head Coach Steve Berryman then implemented by the players showed their worth today.

Final Score 17-10

Ivel Chairman Harold Williams commented: “That was a fantastic result. The level of commitment, strength and rugby showed by Ivel today is what we have only hinted at through this season. Thanks to the players, coaching staff and those behind the scenes who made today such a special day. I would also like to thank our sponsors today, Rowsell Roofing, Clean Image, Shore Property Management and No5 Pasty Shop for supporting the club. Also thanks to the fantastic supporters from both teams that added to the brilliant atmosphere.”