Ivel U9s travelled to Dorchester to play in a 3 way match against Dorchester and Weymouth. In near perfect conditions Ivel plated their first game against the host Dorchester producing some of the best rugby they have played this season. The ball was passed through the hands with speed and accuracy and the support play and defence was excellent. There was some great passing and running by Daniel Long, Elliot Berryman and Aidan Smith and some tremendous tackling and rucking from Cameron Barrett, Myles Haiselden and Oliver Perkins. The backs were well controlled by Zac Walters with strong running from jack Smeeton and Henry Bowditch Ivel ran out winners by 30 vs 0 (Try scorers Daniel Long 2, Harry McHugh, Oliver Perkins, Jack Smeeton, Aidan Smith). 

The second game was against Weymouth and this proved to be a much harder game. Weymouth had a strong side with a lot of strong and powerful runners. However Ivel played really well as a team and only let 1 try in by half time. This was due to some fierce tackling from Hugo Hammond Tom Howworth and Lewis Fry. Ivel came close to scoring on several occasions with some defence splitting runs from Tom Parnell and Harry McHugh supported by Sam Nourse and Ben Mitchell. The team did even better considering that the Weymouth team had 10 players on the pitch for long periods of the game. Ivel came within centimetres to drawing the game but after some strong running from Elliot Berryman and Tom Parnell when the ball was kicked off the try line in the final play of the game. 

Ivel squad: Elliot Berryman, Tom Parnell, Oliver Perkins, Jack Smeeton, Aidan Smith, Zac Withers, Harry McHugh, Daniel Long, Henry Bowditch, Sam Nourse, Hugo Hammond, Tom Howworth, Cameron Barrett, Lewis Ben.

On Sunday 18th November Ivel U9s hosted Keynsham U9s. In driving rain and conditions more suited to playing water polo both sides played some very entertaining rugby. The Bristol side brought a strong squad of 16 players and from the start proved to be a very good side. Due to the conditions only 2 games were played with the first game tied 3 tries each which was a fair result. There was strong driving runs by Elliot Berryman, Daniel Long and Jack and some great tackles made by Zac Withers, Harry McHugh and Aidan Smith. (Tries Elliot Berryman, Daniel Long, Jack Smeeton). 

Due to the  conditions the second game was only 7 mins each way. Keynsham took a 3 tries to 1 lead in the first half but Ivel rallied and with some excellent running form Henry Bowditch, Oliver Perkins, Bailey Waters and Cameron Barrett managed to score 3 tries to win the game. (Tries Daniel Long 2, Henry Bowditch, Jack Smeeton). 

Ivel squad: Elliot Berryman, Tom Parnell, Oliver Perkins, Jack Smeeton, Aidan Smith, Bailey Waters, Zac Withers, Harry McHugh, Daniel Long, Henry Bowditch, Sam Nourse, Hugo Hammond, Tom Howworth, Cameron Barrett.

On Sunday 14th Oct 2007 Ivel Barbarians Under 9s were invited to the Midsomer Norton Rugby Tournament. Ivel U 9s had only 9 players which meant that all the players had to play all 5 games. The tournament was made up of teams M-S-N, Yatton, Chew, Warminster, Frome and Ivel. Ivel won all their games against Yatton 10 v 0, Chew 10 v 0, Warminster 10 v 0 and Frome 10 v 5 with some great runs from Elliot Berryman, Daniel Long, Adiden, Sam Hourse and Harry McHugh with some bone crunching tackles from Hugo Hammond, Zac Walters, Henry Bowditch and Jack Smeeton. The final game was against M-S-N with only a 5 minute rest from the last game. The team played with great spirit, skill and determination but narrowly lost 10 v 0 to a side who had a squad of 14 players to choose from.

Ivel U9’s hosted Taunton RFC.  The weather held out, which made play more enjoyable.  Both teams agreed to play two matches of twenty minutes each. 

The first game produced some great rugby from both sides.  There was some good ball handling skills from Ivel, who put the first points on the board by great running from the backs.  Both teams showed a good understanding of rucking and mauling, they were very even in this department.  Cameron showed a running side to his play with the forwards supporting him, allowing the ball to be always available for the backs.  Harry and Henry deserve a special mention for their overall work rate and tackling in this game (well done).  This game was a good test for us as Taunton are a well organised squad, however, Ivel proved to be better with good supportive play.  Ivel were winners by 40 vs 10 (Try scores - Daniel Long 2, Aiden Smith, Bailey Waters 2, Tom Parnell, Jack Smeeton, Harry McHugh).   

The second game, again, showed both sides could run with the ball and both sides had to put in try saving tackles.  Hugo, Zac, Aiden and Sam all showed that size does not matter when tackling as they all upped their game in this department (well done).  Myles did some fantastic mauling with good support from all, which 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 have to work hard to gain victory for this tough fought match.  Result 30 vs 10 (Try scorers Tom Parnell 2, Harry McHugh, Aiden Smith, Henry Bowditch, Jack Smeeton).

All Ivel players are to be congratulated on both their individual skills and especially their team effort.  This was a good test for us.  More importantly It was a pleasure to watch and see the team enjoy playing rugby.   

Ivel squad: Cameron Barrett, Henry Bowditch, Myles Haiseldon, Hugo Hammond, Daniel Long, Harry McHugh, Sam Nourse, Tom Parnell, Jack Smeeton, Aidan Smith, Bailey Waters, Zac Withers

Ivel Under 9's Bournemouth Tournament 29 March 2008

On Sunday 29th March Ivel Barbarians U9s attended the annual rugby festival at Bournemouth RFC. The tournament attracts sides from as far as Bridgend and Llandaf North in Wales to Launceston in Cornwall. There was 20 teams in Ivels’ competition with 4 groups of 5.

Ivel started well with a win over a tough Hereford side with a single try from Tom Parnell. Ivel played some great rugby with some strong rucking from Myles Haiselden and Cameron Barrett. The second game was against a well organised and strong Salisbury team who raced to a 4 tries to nil lead by half time but Ivel re-grouped and played with real spirit and determination in the second half and only let one try in.

Their final group game was against Hemel Hempstead which they had to win to have any chance of progressing into the next stage of the competition. The young Ivel side played some of their best rugby to beat a spirited Hemel Hempstead side. Some hard and direct running from Louie Fry, Elliot Berryman, Daniel Fry and Tom Parnell helped secure a 4 tries to nil win. This win secured a Shield semi-final game against the host Bournemouth. The game started at a furious pace with both teams wanting to win but Ivel scored first with an interception try by Jack Smeeton. Ivel defended their line with some bone crunching tackles by Bailey Walters, Henry Bowditch, Zac Withers and Aiden Smith but Bournemouth eventually scored. Ivel pressed to score the winning try but it didn’t come and the Bournemouth side scored a last minute try to win the game.

Ivel Squad: Cameron Barrett, Elliot Berryman, Henry Bowditch, Louie Fry, Myles Haiselden, Hugo Hammond, Daniel Long, Ben Mitchell, Sam Nourse, Tom Parnell, Oliver Perkins, Jack Smeeton, Aiden Smith, Bailey walters, Zac Withers.