Ivel under 11s travelled to M-S-N for the annual October tournament where they were in a group with 6 other teams. Ivel first game was against the host M-S-N, last years winners. The game was played at a fast and furious pace with only 10 minutes a game to try and get a score. Both sides played their hearts out but neither team could cross the line and it ended 0 vs 0.

The next match was against Chew Valley who came with a big squad and after some great Ivel defence; Chew Valley broke through and scored. This rallied the Ivel team and after some great work in the middle of the pitch Harry McHugh popped up and went over for the try to tie the game which ended 5 points each. 

Ivel’s third game was against Frome who had some very direct runners but some bone crunching tackles by Will Rendell and Elliot Berryman kept them out. Ivel had their chances but the ever present drizzle meant that their normal great passing wasn’t as slick as normal. The game ended in another draw 0 vs 0.

Ivel’s fourth game was against Melksham who had a very well organised team and put the Ivel side under pressure straight away but some great powerful runs by Louie Fry, Dan Long and Myles Haiseldon who set up Elliot Berryman to score in the corner. Harry McHugh scored his second try of the tournament after some great work by Aidan Smith, Tom Parnell, Sam Nourse, Aaron Briatore and Hugo Hammond. However, Melksham came back and scored with the last play of the game. Ivel 10 vs Melksham 5.   

Ivel’s next game was against the team Walcot who had beaten all the sides they had played. Walcot had some big powerful runners who tried to punch holes in the Ivel defence but the line stood firm with some brilliant tackles by Zac Withers, Robert Samways, Archie Mitchell and Henry Bowditch. Ivel pressured the Walcot line but neither side to break the dead lock and the game ended in a hard fought draw.

Ivel’s final game was against Warminster who could only field 9 players so Ivel gave them two players so the game could go ahead. Ivel dominated from the start and was quick to score with Harry McHugh going over for the first of his 2 tries. More pressure lead to the hard working Will Rendell scoring his first try for Ivel and the game finished with Harry McHugh going over for the games and Ivel’s final try. Ivel 15 vs Warminster 0

Due to results not going Ivel’s way the team came third. But they can hold their heads high after not losing a single game and being the only side not to be beaten by the winners Walcot

Ivel Squad

The first game Bradford upon Avon produced some great rugby from both sides.  There was some good ball handling skills from Ivel, where we put the first points on the board by great running from the backs and support by the forwards.  Bradford showed good scrimmaging a good understanding of rucking and mauling, however, are backs forced Bradford to make errors by quick follow up running.  Myles scored first for Ivel by strong forward running.  Harry‘s scored secondly by using his speed and quick feet to side step players.  Bradford then ran in a try to put the pressure back on Ivel. That pressure did not last long as Dan carried the ball from 30m with some staunch support and driving by the forwards to get over to score.  Both sides were willing to run the ball so the defence from both sides had to be tight and work well as a unit.  Bradford then scored, again to put the pressure back on Ivel.  Bradford kicked the ball into the hands of Henry who, from Ivel’s half ran through many players to score a try.  All players worked well in this game and I could mention what each individual did so brilliantly.  Ivel proved to be better with good off loading play and support play.  Ivel were winners by 20 - 10 (Try scorers – Myles, Harry, Dan and Henry).   

The second game against Frome, again, showed both sides could run with the ball and both sides had to put in try saving tackles.  We had to go uncontested due to James getting injured and Archie being his replacement from the wing to second row.  Elliot, Tom and Aidan showed some good offloading and determination in this game.  Will, Robert, Arron, Zak – with his kicking, Ian, Sam, James and Archie all played well in this game.  Ivel’s forwards support play gave us the edge and allowed Ivel’s backs to show their skills.  Again our discipline and organisation was to prove too strong in this game, Ivel did ned to work hard to gain victory for this match.  Result 15 - 5 (Try scorers Tom and Dan scored 2 tries).

All Ivel players are to be congratulated on both their individual skills and especially their team effort.  There was some very good free flowing rugby and support play from each player.  Both Steve and I spoke afterwards about how well the hard work the players have put in training, paid off today.       

On a very wet and windy day, Taunton came out of the starting blocks unfortunately much faster than Ivel.  In the first half, Taunton scored 17 points to Ivel’s 0.  Taunton fielded a team with big forward players who were well used.

At the half time break it took Ivel players to realise that they had to step up to the mark to equal Taunton in this unfortunate weather.  The players got themselves together and within minutes raised their game, with Harry scoring a try and converting the kick.  Everyone in the team from this point on rallied together and played rugby the way they had been in training.  There was some good support play and hard tackling from Daniel, Elliott, Harry, Robert, Zac, Tom and others.  Taunton kicked the ball due to our pressure and Aidan (full back) did well at catching and chasing the ball and setting up for our players to set up another phase of play.  When Ivel’s backs used the ball, Hugo on the wing managed to score Ivel’s second try.  Harry went on to convert the try.

Ivel put lots of pressure trying to score another try.  Alex almost scored after giving chase to an Ivel kick but when he put pressure on the ball it was past the dead ball line.  Taunton’s defence held up to the task and we were unable to score.  Archie held up a Taunton player to stop them from scoring again.  The forwards had a hard day as Taunton had a large pack and worked well as a unit.  They gave us a lesson in scrumaging today.

All Ivel players are to be congratulated for their characters as they never gave up at any time and for again working well as a team. Result Ivel 14 v 17 Taunton.  Ivel try scorers Harry and Hugo – Harry 2 converted kicks.   This was a definite game of two halfs!!!!!!        

Ivel squad: Elliot Berryman, Aaron Briatore, Louie Fry, Myles Haiseldon, Hugo Hammond, Daniel Long, Harry McHugh, Archie Mitchell, Tom Parnell, Alex Purtill, Robert Samways Aidan Smith, Mike Smith, Zac Withers.