This week once again showed the running prowess of the Ivel team. The defence lacked in the first periods of the game resulting in some tries from the visitors, although later in the match the defence picked up and the pressure resulted in turn over ball. 

The running skills of the Ivel team resulted in some excellent opportunities with brilliant passing creating the fluent tries to follow. 

The match ended in a draw which is no disappointment against a strong Sherborne team.

This was an exciting back and forth game between 2 surprisingly even teams. 

Ivel’s poor defence in the first half resulted in Tor scoring the first try with strong runs and passing skills. Ivel soon retaliated with a try of their own. The first half ended with Ivel trailing 6-5. 

The second half began with much stronger defence as proven by the 3 minutes that passed before the first try was scored. Some strong running from Alex Elwick, Byron Garry, Sol Withers and Max Hinds resulted in the following tries and the aggressive and pressing defence of Ivel held the second half to 5-4. 

The match ended as a draw which showed good determination of the players to maintain their level of play

We turned up to a cold day but with a large spirit, all of the team seemed happy to be there even though the pitch was very wet and slippery as proven in the warm up with a few falls. 

Ivel began the match well with good tagging and attacking skills with their tries coming from some excellent passes and skills practiced in training although the defensive line showed many gaps allowing Tor to stay in the game for the first half. 

The second half started excellently for Ivel with the entire team running very well and staying to the decided game plan. The defensive skills improved 10 fold, and the attacking was sublime with the team running in to space and tries being finished by strong running by Jake Damon (3), Byron Gary (3), Sol Withers (4) and Max Hinds (2). Credit must be given to the entire team though as they all worked very well to attack the space they were given capitalising with well deserved tries. 

I was very pleased with the performance and would have taken pride from that no matter what the score; a win was just a bonus to the end of a cold but very fun day.

It was a wet day to play rugby but the conditions didn’t stop a 10 player turn out for Ivel allowing us to have 2 much needed substitutes for the games to follow. 

The first game was an enthusiastic beginning from the Ivel players with unquestionable defensive prowess coupled with decisive attacking runs and tight support play leading to an 8-0 win for Ivel with tries from Byron (3), Max (1), Jake (1) and Alex (3). 

The second game however was not a testament to Ivel’s true abilities, they seemed to ‘fall asleep’ allowing Taunton to score the first few points. Although Ivel battled back gallantly later in the game with some strong runs and much improved defensive play they came off second best with a score of 8-5 to Taunton with tries from Sol (1), Jake (1), Aaron (1), Alex (1) and George (1). 

The third game on the trot for a 10 man Ivel team facing a 16 man Taunton squad showed their resilience and determination. Taunton substituted their entire team half way through and it seemed to be of no difference for Ivel who battled with excellent passing, strong defence and undeniable running ability to win 9-4 with the tries in the last match coming from Byron (3), Dominic (1), Max (2), Jake (1) and Sol (1). 

The day ended with a win over all for Ivel and a respectable display of their abilities continuing their winning fashion in their matches. The entire team played well in order to turn over a very strong opposing side and I hope to see more of the same in the weeks to come.

Yet another strong turn out from Ivel with the 10 players in attendance. Along with this was a repeat of the freezing weather we have come to know over the past couple of weeks. 

The first half saw a very even game with strong running from both sides, perhaps shown to be better than it was through poor defence from both teams caused by cold hands, although later in the half Ivel prevailed gaining a defensive turn over or 2 and capitalising with tries to end the first half with a 12-10 lead to Ivel with tries from Max (3), Jake D (3), Byron (2), Aaron (1), Alex (1), Sol (1) and Jake R (1). 

The second half saw more of the same with some very strong running finding the space and leading to umpteen tries, although once again Ivel showed their defensive capabilities with more defensive turn overs. Some quick feet, good support and excellent passing brought Ivel the tries they needed to bring this half to an 11 point draw with the vital tries coming from Max (1), Byron (1), Alex (1), Aaron (2) and Sol (5). 

Overall winners of the day were Ivel with 23-21 with an impressive display of running and evasion and some impressive development from some, up to now, quiet players.

Craig

The weather had died down this week allowing for softer ground under foot leading to a positive display of running from the young side. 

The first half began promisingly with very good defence from both teams but decisive running and excellent support play resulted in a plentiful amount of tries. Towards the end Ivel got a grasp of the game showing strong running, unquestionable support play and the ability to find space, allowing them to go in to the half time break leading 10-8. 

The second half showed much of the same promise although Ivel allowed some early tries with lazy defence which Wells’ strong running capitalised on. Once again Ivel picked up their game with running lines that chopped the opposition apart allowed them to pull the score back and scrape a second half lead finishing the match 16-13 up, with tries from Max (6), Sol (3), Jake D (2), Jake R (2), Alex (3). 

My great thanks go to Byron and Jake R who volunteered to play for Wells in order to even the teams out. Byron also got himself 2 tries for Wells… I think that’s a good debut.

Ivel travelled to Weymouth on a beautiful day for fast running rugby.

The first game saw the home team of Weymouth beat Blandford.   Ivels first game was against the hosts so we knew we had to play well after their earlier win.   Ivel came out of the blocks quickly and were soon into their stride, passing, supporting and tagging as if there lives depended on it. With Elliot, as captain (and birthday boy), taking the ball forward with great interest and great support from the rest of the team, Ivel soon opened up a lead. Weymouth came back into the game with some good passing of their own, but ivel stepped up their game in the second half and with great support from the whole team won the game 11 scores to 9.

Up next for Ivel were Blandford.   Blandford started the game very well and were not afraid to pass the ball wide at every opportunity.   Ivel soon came to terms with the free flowing passing of the opposition and started to score tries of their own. The game went from end to end with tries for both teams. In the second half Ivel again stepped up their game and scored some great tries, eventually running out winners 12 tries to 9.

Try scorers for the day were: Max 7, Byron 6, Sol 5, Jake D 3, Dom 1 and Aaron 1.

A fantastic performance from the whole team. All of the boys are now playing great rugby, which has come from their hard working at training.  Not only are they scoring lots of tries, their defence work is getting better each week.

Thank you to all the Parents for travelling away again.
Next week away at Sherborne.

Martin

Because of the Aldon horse trials Ivel travelled to Frome for their home game.

Ivel started the first game with great lines of running and everyone supporting the ball carrier which enabled them to score several tries without reply. Frome then lifted their game and soon came back with scores of their own. With minutes to go the game could of gone either way, but Ivel managed two more scores to run out winners.

The second game was the complete opposite of the first with Frome taking the game to Ivel and scoring early tries. It was then try for try for the reast of the game. Frome ran out winners because of their early tries.
Thank you again to all the parents for travelling all that way for two very short games.