Ivel Barbarians travelled to Oldfield, near Bath, for this fixture, full of optimism and with some returning players. The away team got off to the best possible start, being awarded a penalty in the first few minutes, which Tom Flynn duly converted. Unfortunately the lead was short-lived when the hosts replied with a converted try. The game went from end to end with the Oldfield backs looking dangerous each time they got the ball. However, Ivel were next to score with a Tom Flynn penalty, but Oldfield replied with an unconverted try to make the score 12-6.

Ivel started to put some good passing phases together, one of which resulted in Dave Burton powering his way over the line for a try with Tom Flynn adding the extras. Ivel were now dominating the scrums but possession was needlessly given away when the ball was kicked rather than kept in hand. However, Ivel were leading 13-12 at half time, having played the first half uphill.

Ivel surrendered the lead soon after the restart, when they gave away a penalty near the posts which the hosts duly converted. Ivel then had the opportunity to retake the lead when awarded a penalty near the Oldfield posts, but chose to kick for the corner instead. There then followed sustained pressure by Ivel on the Oldfield line, but dropped passes and players not being decisive enough meant many opportunities to score were wasted.

Ivel went into this game off the back of two weeks good training and a much improved team performance from the last week.

Alex Gillies stood in as Captain, with his team coming out the stronger side, dominating in the forwards along with some good lines of running from the supporting backs. Oldfield’s discipline at the breakdown area gifted Ivel with an early penalty, which was converted by Tom Flynn.

Ivel began playing with more confidence, with prop, and man of the match, Jason Dunn setting off on a break nearly half the length of the pitch only to be stopped short of the line. Minutes later a well worked Ivel line out resulted in second row Paul Mortensen powering over the line.  A successful conversion by Tom Flynn extended Ivel’s lead.

Just as it was looking as though Ivel were about to take control of the game a series of handling errors and missed tackles allowed Oldfield to score two unconverted tries, bringing the game level. Ivel’s cause was not helped when a decision by the referee resulted in Ivel number 8 Gareth Whitcombe receiving a yellow card. Oldfield took advantage of the extra man and right before half time scored another unconverted try.

Half time:   Ivel Barbarians 10     Oldfield Old Boys 15 

Ivel came out in the second half and straight away started applying pressure. Oldfield’s defences were being tested and after some poor discipline in the breakdown area, Tom Flynn converted two penalties to edge Ivel In front. Ivel now began using their more powerful scrum, pushing Oldfield deep into their own half.

Paul Mortensen had the opportunity to put some distance between the score with an interception break of half the pitch, only to be stopped short by Oldfield’s much fitter and faster winger. With Ivel scoring another penalty with less than ten minutes to go it looked like the home team were heading for the win. But Oldfield never gave up, pushing Ivel back and looking for the score they needed, but Ivel’s defences were strong and they dug deep to hold on.

With a serious amount of injury time being played you could feel the tension in the ground. No more so than the Club Captain, Kris Shore, marching up and down the touchline with what can only be described as a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. But then, with minutes to go, Matt Berridge made an excellent break from his own 22 deep into their half resulting in another Ivel Penalty. Tom Flynn, with his fifth successful penalty of the day, converted with what turned out to be the final kick.

Ivel had won a hard, and well fought, game. After the match, Coach Martin Cole said ‘We stepped up another level from last week with great commitment by all. We need to continue with our progress at training and match days to secure our position. Well done to all.’

Final Score:   Ivel Barbarians  22       Oldfield Old Boys  15