Ivel started their seasons campaign against Sherborne in a game with little between the sides.

Sherborne showed their intentions from the k.o by going straight on the attack, pushing the home side back. Ivel’s defence was well organise and keeping the visitors away from their line, but the discipline from the home side around the breakdown area was poor and were giving away to many penalties, allowing Sherborne to keep the pressure on.

Ivel then gave away another penalty within kicking distance and Sherborne were able to get their first points on the board. Within minutes of the re-start again poor discipline allowed the away side to extend their lead with another successful penalty.

This seemed to fire Ivel into life as they now were starting to play some good attacking rugby, then just before halftime Ivel centre Rhys Biggin was able to power over the line, with Alex Mcguinn adding the extras to put Ivel in front at the break.

The second half saw both teams looking to take control of the game and Ivel were pushing hard, but handling errors or wrong decision making were preventing the home side from crossing the visitors line. Ivel then gave away another silly penalty and Sherborne were able to kick themselves back in front.

Sherborne had the momentum and soon added their first try of the game, after some strong running by their backs. Ivel were now really pushing Sherborne back looking to get back in the game. However they were unable to finish a number of strong attacks and it was the away side that scored the final and decisive try of the game to give Ivel their first defeat of the season.

After the game Ivel manager Ed Mason said “We were beaten by the better team today, we played some phases of very good rugby but poor decision making or handling errors let us down, we were our own worst enemies. We will go back to training and work on these areas and hopefully we can bounce back next week”. Ivel next travel to Swanage & Wareham.