Due to Bideford Ladies pulling out of saturday's fixture at relatively short notice the Ivel Ladies team were extremely grateful when Holly Edmonds, one of Ivel's players, arranged for Marjons, her University team to come and take up the fixture. 

It was also memorable for Nadine Sheehan to be playing against her former team.  This was the sternest test that the Ivel ladies had faced and the coaches made it clear from the start that only a determined and focussed performance would be good enough to compete. 

The game started with a period of pressure from the Marjons team, largely due to an unusual period of nervousness from the Ivel Ladies, but some determined work in defence and in the tight saw the Ivel team work their way into the game. 

Twenty minutes of good rugby from both teams passed before Marjons took the early opportunity to score a try which was duly converted.  This served to spur the Ivel Ladies on and five minutes later Holly Edmonds, playing out of position at fly half, showed her Marjons team mates how dangerous she could be by using her pace to cross the line for a try which went unconverted. 

Two minutes later Holly again ripped open the Marjons defence to score again under the posts, this time converted by Heidi Silcox.  At the turn around Ivel led 12-7 and the effort on the faces of the Ivel Ladies was clear to see. 

The second half saw the Ivel Ladies continue to play their own game, driving into the heart of the Marjons forwards but keeping the ball alive at every opportunity.  Nicky Ball and Heidi Silcox carried the ball up well in the forwards and in the backs Louise Churchouse made some strong runs through the midfield, Claire "Squeak" Phillips, playing out of position on the wing, made some try saving tackles that epitomised the Ivel defence which was resolute all afternoon. 

This pressure bore dividends and Ivel turned the ball over several times and on one occasion this resulted in Heidi Silcox sprinting in to cross the line to extend the Ivel lead.  Marjons continued to play and exerted pressure on a tiring Ivel team which resulted in Ivel conceding a converted try shortly followed by another try to make the score 19-17 to the visitors. 

At this point the Ivel Ladies, who had given their all, could have capitulated but instead rolled up their sleeves and took the game back to Marjons.  The quick offload game and the high tempo that Ivel were playing was extremely impressive to watch and it was hugely rewarding to see Captain Alice Edmonds using her pace to great effect to score the decisive try in a highly entertaining game. 

The final score of 22-19 reflected a close fought game between two good teams but also demonstrated the desire and heart of the Ivel team who were determined not to give up.  The performance today was about heart and passion and the Ivel Ladies delivered in droves.