You could tell this was Ivel’s first game since the beginning of November. It took 15 hard minutes before Ivel broke down the Frome defence for Connor McAlpine to cross the line. James Robbins duly scored the conversion.  After this Ivel started to impose themselves on the match with the forwards controlling the scrums.

Further tries where scored by Steve Willets (2), Macca Edwards, Dan Ogden and on his debut Kyle Pennell (Man of the Match). James Robbins converting 1 and Nick Murray 2.

A good performance by all players.

Frome 0 v Ivel  38

Unfortunately Castle Cary arrived with a couple of players absent so to enable the game to go ahead Ivel loaned them 2 players.

Cary put up a good fight and it was after a period of pressure that Steve Willets crossed the line for his first try. Ivel’s defence held firm for the rest of the half and the backs managed to run in 3 more tries.

The second half started same as the first with Ivel scoring a well worked try. Cary upped their game and came back strong scoring a try of their own. Not to be out done by the backs the forwards pushed Cary back over their line 4 times. Unfortunately the first 3 were deemed to have been held up by the Cary defence.

After this the Cary defence finally crumbled and Ivel ran in 3 more tries with James Robins converting 2 of them.

Final Score   Ivel   49       Castle Cary   5

The scorers today: Steve Willets x 3, Joel Chubb x 2, Ross Burford x 1, Adam Guest x 1, Nathan Greengrow x 1 and James Robins x 1. James Robins x 2 conversions.

Today was a big test for Ivel up against what looked a larger team from Chard.

In the first few minutes there where quite a few big hits going in as both teams tried to impose themselves on the other. Ivel’s scrum held firm and then started to force Chard back. Ivel finally broke through the Chard defence with Kyran Rooke going over for the first try. James Robins with the conversion.

Ivel scored again soon after with a great solo effort from James Harris. James Robins again converting. The backs then chipped in with Steve Willets and Adam Guest running in tries which where converted by James Robins.

Ivel then nodded off for a few minutes, which allowed Chard to hit back with a try under the posts just before half time, which was then converted.

The second half was a much closer battle with Chard pegging Ivel back in their own half for long periods. Ivel managed to cross the try line for another 2 tries. Kyran Rooke with his second and Ross Burford with another great solo effort.

This seemed to spur on the Chard team and after another period of aggressive play managed to score a second try just before the final whistle.

Ivel U15  38 v 12  Chard U15.

The scorers today: Kyran Rooke x 2, Ross Burford x 1, Adam Guest x 1, Steve Willets x 1 and James Harris x 1. James Robins x 4 conversions.   Man of the Match was Chris Livesey.

Today was another big test for Ivel who were up for revenge after losing a very close game last month. 

North Dorset were rocked back on their heels by the ferocity of the Ivel tackling and rucking. Ivel pegged North Dorset back in their own half for the first 10 minutes and were unlucky not to score. Only last ditch defending kept Ivel out.

North Dorset slowly pulled back into it and the game flowed back and forth until after a quick penalty North Dorset took advantage and crossed the line for an unconverted try.

At half time Ivel were able to change most of the side due to the size of the squad turning up today. Having such a fresh side turned things in Ivel’s favour.

After some great work by Connor McAlpine who was stopped just shy of the line, Joel Chubb crossed the line for Ivel’s first try. James Robins scored the conversion.

North Dorset tried hard after the restart but Ivel pushed them back into their own half.  After some good play by the forwards Nick Murray scored Ivel’s second try. Unfortunately James Robins was unable to convert.

Not long after this James Harris was sent to the sin bin. North Dorset sensing victory came back hard but Ivel refused to give way and held strong. North Dorset then had a man sent to the sin bin.

After James Harris returned to the game Ivel pushed hard for another score but North Dorset held them off.

Today’s scorers: Joel Chubb and Nick Murray. James Robins with 1 conversion.

FT  North Dorset U15   5   v   Ivel U15   12

Man of the Match: Kyran Pollock for his try saving tackle.

A most rewarding score line.

Due to the short notice arrangement we again played North Dorset at their ground. Only 15 players turned out today but they put up the best performance this team has shown all season.

Several players had to play out of their usual positions but it did not show and Ivel came closest in the first few minutes with Chris Livesey adjudged to have been held up over the line.  North Dorset then started to dominate and ran in 3 tries in quick succession converting only one.  After this Ivel started to keep the ball in tight putting some of their recent training to good effect. Just before half time this paid off with Steve Willets going over for a good try. James Robins with the conversion.

Ivel started off the second half as they finished the first. After a couple of minutes Steve Willets again went over for a second try. Unfortunately James was unable to convert it.  The game flowed back and forth with Ivel trying to keep it tight and North Dorset running wide. North Dorset thought they had sealed the win when they managed to score a try on the break which they converted. Ivel again stepped up to the mark and came back hard forcing Dorset onto the back foot. After a few minutes of sustained pressure Ben Mason crossed for his first try which James converted.

This score made Ivel even more determined and but for some strange refereeing decisions near the Dorset line, could have scored again.

Man of the Match was awarded to the whole team for the extraordinary effort they put in today and by a unanimous decision the trophy was given to Ben Mason for scoring his first try.