Ivel had their first game of the 2010/11 season against Castle Cary. Ivel had trained well leading up to the game and had welcomed 4 new players to swell the Ivel ranks and they were itching to get into the action.

On a very blustery and damp morning the Ivel team lined up to face their opponents but Castle Cary had only 8 players so the Ivel team lent them enough players to field a team. The Ivel team started the game at a furious pace and were soon on top with some great passing and running rugby which resulted in tries for Harry McHugh, Tom Parnell (2) Archie Mitchell and Elliot Berryman. However, the Castle Cary/Ivel team produced some powerful running of their own which resulted in a well deserved try.

The second half continued in the same pace as the first with further tries from Harry McHugh (2) and Dan Long so it was decided to mix the sides up to make it more of a match. With the sides more even this made the Ivel side work a lot harder and it produced a better all round game for both sides.

Both teams need to be commended on their running, handling and kicking in such testing and difficult conditions and for playing such a well spirited game.

On a cold and crisp Sunday morning Ivel under 12s were going to play a three-way game with Bridport and Dorchester, but the Dorchester team had come down with the dreaded flu bug so it was up to Bridport and Ivel to play.

It was Ivel’s first game in over a month due to poor weather so all the players were raring to go. This enthusiasm was taken into the game with Ivel taking an early lead and this continued throughout the first half with some fantastic rugby played by the whole team. This great rugby was led by the forwards, especially some great driving runs by Myles Haiselden, Robert Samways, Ollie Perkins and the “Terrier”, Aaron Briatore. These driving runs allowed the fleet footed backs to work their magic with Harry McHugh, Dan Long, Tom Purnell and Archie Mitchell cutting holes in the Bridport defence. The Bridport pack starting to win some ball and kicked their possession away and this allowed flying full back Aidan Smith to run some great lines. The first half ended with Ivel in the lead 4 tries to nil.

The second half saw Ivel make quite a few chances but this did not weaken the side and they continued where they left off. Ivel started to dominate the line out with the “leaping salmon” Elliot Berryman taking some great balls which drove through the heart of the Bridport defence and then off loaded to the ever present and skilful Zac Withers. This enabled George Cameron, Ian Walsingham and Toby to run at Bridport backs which lead to the best try of the day with some brilliant inter-passing between backs and forwards with some great foot work and powerful running which saw Aaron Briatore drive over for a try. The Bridport side showed great heart and came back strongly to score two tries of their own making a real game of it.

Try scores

Aaron Briatore, Lewey Fry, Elliot Berryman, Dan Long 3, Harry McHugh 2, Tom Parnell

Ivel had high hopes after their terrific performance in the first Ivel Festival last week, reaching the semi-final and losing to a sudden death try from Wellington.

Ivel’s first game was against Chard who had just lost to Frome by a single try in the first game. Ivel decided to rest a lot of the regular players and  gave some of the up and coming players a chance to show what they could do. It was a very entertaining game with both sides intent on running the ball wide. Ivel played up the slope first half and this allowed the bigger Chard side to get up a head of steam and they went into the break two tries to nil up. But this did not deter the up and coming Ivel talent and they attacked the Chard line and after some great work by the forwards  Lewey Fry to bulldozed his way over for Ivel’s first try. Ivel pounded the Chard line with some powerful runs by Dan Long, Toby____ and Aidan Smith. Ivel came within inches of levelling the score when Lewey Fry drove for the line supported by the ever present Elliot Berryman but the ball just came loose at the critical moment. Ivel’s up and coming stars played very well and have given the coaches a headache ahead of the teams visit to Bath next week.

Scorers       Lewey Fry

Ivel’s final game was against Frome who were on a high after beating Chard in their first game and the Ivel side had quite a few familiar faces back in the starting line up. Ivel started well and put together some great phases of play with backs and forwards linking well and within five minutes Ivel were four tries to nil up. The Ivel forwards started to put some real pressure on the Frome forwards in the set piece and the tight which gave the time and space for the dynamic backs to work their magic  and Ivel went into the break five tries to nil up. The second half started well for the Ivel team with a blistering run from Harry McHugh to score straight from the kick off. Ivel’s domination continued with a further four tires. However, the Frome side did not give in and battled hard right until the end and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.

Scorers       Tom Parnell 2, Harry McHugh 2, Lewey Fry 2, Elliot Berryman,  Dan Long, Brendon Hawkins, James______

Ivel travelled to Weymouth to play in a three way against Teddington (from Middlesex on tour) and Weymouth.  The weather was very hot and plenty of water was drunk.  Teddington played Weymouth first with an early start, where some good rugby was played by both teams.  Aidan volunteered to play for Teddington as they were short one player, well done Aidan.

Ivel played Teddington in the blistering heat and the game was played at a fast pace with Teddington playing some good structured rugby.  Ivel settled in quickly and the forwards worked hard to maintain the advantage in the scrum and mauls.  Teddington were very good at rucking and Ivel looked ordinary during this phase of play.  All Ivel players worked well as a team with some good running from the backs, Carl showed good awareness as full back.  Harry scored 2 tries and Archie scored one.  Dan kicked all three conversions. 

At half time Ivel made some changes and the new players continued Ivel’s expansive rugby. The Teddington side managed to score a try and a conversion.   

Final Score

Ivel 21 v Teddington 7