The game against Frome wasn’t going to be easy, but Ivel contine to improve their game all the time.  Ivel had control of the ball for most of the match and were the stronger team overall, really working together as a team and reading the game well.  There were some moments when frustrations from both sides boiled over and caused one or two issues.  Ivel never gave up and played with clear determination right up to the final whistle.  The final score was Frome 15 Ivel 12.  Ivel scorers were Steve and Connor.

On a cold and blustery day Ivel U13’s faced Weymouth at home.  Last season Weymouth and Ivel were evenly matched so with the improvement the Ivel team has made this season the game was going to be interesting. 

Within 2 minutes of the kick off ‘Woody’ (Ben Woods) streaked down the right hand wing to get the first try.  James Robins converted the try with ease.  This got the game off to a thundering start for Ivel.  Most of the game was played on the right wing and it was evident that Connor McAlpine, out towards the left wing, was starting to get cold and a little bored, until the ball came his way not long before half time.  Connor stormed up the left hand wing and scored the second try which was again converted by James. 

The second half began with Ivel in the lead by 14 points.  Weymouth had a couple of big players on their team but the bigger they are the harder they fall, as Ashley Harvey demonstrated.  Ashley is the smallest player on the Ivel team but his game is improving with every match he plays.  Ashley had no problem bringing one of the biggest opposition players down.   Although Ivel’s game became a little inconsistent they were determined to win and soon Connor set up Ivel’s third try for Steve Willets to claim.  This was followed by 2 further impressive tries by Ivel, one by Dan Ogden and the final try by Ashley Harvey.  James was fortunate to convert one of these tries. 

The final score was 31 - 0 to Ivel.

A full team travelled up to Winscombe despite the bad storm the night before and questions in their mind whether the pitch would be playable.  When we got there only one pitch was in use so we had to double up allowing the U14’s to play first.  By 1145 the game got underway and it didn’t take long to realise that Ivel hadn’t quite woken up! Within a short period of time Winscombe got their first try followed by three others by half time.  Ivel struggled against a bigger, more aggressive side.  By the end of the game the score was 34 Winscombe Ivel 0.  Ivel will put this game down to experience and look forward to the return match at home in February.

The match against Winscombe was challenging as Ivel tried to hold back a tougher side.  Winscombe started well moving the ball swiftly along their line.  When Ivel got the ball Winscombe speed did not allow Ivel to make as much progress as they would have liked up the field.  By half time the score was 17 – 0 to Winscombe.   

The second half commenced with Winscombe getting a quick try.  The final score was Winscombe 29 – Ivel 0.  Ivel’s challenge for the remainder of the season is to put into practice all they are learning during training and to start a game determined to win.

Ivel played their most intense game of the season so far. They were up against a far bigger side in Hornets. Ivel knew they would have to be at their most aggressive best to get anything out of the game.

Within 2 minutes of the kick off, Hornets took the ball into contact, and some how Conner McAlpine emerged on the Ivel side with the ball. He raced down the wing to score. Despite the difference in size, Ivels pack held their own in the scrums, and even managed to push Hornets back. Ivel attacked the rucks and mauls full of purpose and intent, winning turn over ball on many occasions. After a lot of pressure on the Hornets line the ball found its way out to James Mark Robbins, who forced his way over the line to score Ivels second try. Daniel Jarvis converted, leaving the half-time score 12 – 0 to Ivel.

The second half did not start well for Ivel. Within 1 minute of the kick off, Hornets picked the ball up from the back of a scrum and raced through to score. Ivel then set about dominating the contact area and forced the Hornets side back. After one such spell of pressure, Dan Ogden picked the pall up from the back of the scrum and powered over to score.

The aggression from Ivel set the tone for the rest of the match, and after a period of pressure on the Hornets line James Mark Robbins kicked the ball out to the wing for Harry Johnson to pick the ball up and dive over the try line to score. The final score was 22 – 7 to Ivel.

The Ivel side can take a lot from this game. They managed to play with aggression for the whole of the game, and prove to themselves that they can beat any side when they put their minds to it.