What a difference a week makes! Ivel Barbarians prepared for this first home match of the season with a desire to overturn last week’s defeat. Manager and Coach Martin Cole had a strong squad to choose from but it didn’t show at the start of the game.

Ivel almost had the perfect start with a penalty opportunity in the opening minutes, but it just went to the left of the posts. Taunton then opened their game and Ivel found themselves, within the first ten minutes of the game, seven points to nil down. Early days and Ivel kept up the tempo they have started this season with. The game went from one end to the other before Ivel scored. A flowing cross pitch move saw James Best touch down in the corner, unfortunately the conversion was missed. More play across the width of the pitch followed, from both sides, making it a thoroughly entertaining game to watch. Ivel then suffered a couple of set backs. First Paul Taylor was knocked out and was taken to hospital and replaced by Kris Shore. Martin Cole came on to replace Andrew Cook who had suspected concussion and then, with just over fifteen minutes left, Hooker Joe Stelmaszyk was sin-binned for an infringement. Other teams might have struggled but Kris Shore stepped up and stood in at Hooker. To Ivel’s credit they didn’t let their heads drop and, in fact, turned into the strongest team. This was proved when, following a cross field move involving the whole team, Roger Maliszewski touched down in the corner. Again the conversion was missed but, as the referee blew for half-time, Ivel had a ten points to seven lead.

The second half started just as competitively as the first half finished. Both teams were determined to win and, with such a small gap between them, it was always going to be tight. But a few minutes in and, following good work by the forwards, Tom Jones scored for Ivel. This was converted by Ash Pippard, who then, within ten minutes scored a penalty for Ivel. 20-7 to the home team and things were looking up. Taunton rallied and managed to score a try in the corner following strong forwards work. The try remained unconverted. Ivel realised that victory was in their grasp and with strong defence, and attack, from the whole team things began to move. James Best and Tom Jones were linking well in the centres and with strong runs from senior players such as Steve Blight, Kris Shore and Martin “Raging Bull” Cole Ivel kept the visitors on the back foot. Ivel then scored more points through scrum-half, and captain, Alex Gillies who converted his own try. The final points of the day were scored by Joe Stelmaszyk with a try in the corner.  To add to Taunton’s day they had a player sent off with less than ten minutes left.

Final Score:

Ivel Barbarians 2XV   32
Taunton 3XV              12