Withycombe slipped to a narrow 24-20 defeat at Ivybridge 2nds in a game dominated by strong win and persistent rain. 

Withy got the scoring underway thanks to a penalty from Harry Symons just outside the Ivybridge 22’. Withycombe built up the intensity of their attack and were rewarded as a clearing kick from the hosts was charged down by Joe Blyth, who collected the ball from the bounce and ran the remaining distance to the line to score. Symons’ conversion made sure of the full points available to take a 0-10 lead. 

Ivybridge responded well to the try and with some pressure of their own, capitalised on some Withy downtime and equalled the scores with two quick unconverted tries. 

The tide changed back in Withies favour after 30 minutes when Ivybridge lost both their hooker and outside flanker to the sin bin within a space of just two minutes. This gave Withies the advantage in the scrum and with that, a second try from Joe Blyth, who dotted down after a well driven maul from the scrum. With the conversion drifting wide, the score stood at 10-15 to Withycombe. 

The wind and rain continued into the second half, and alongside the dwindling light and slippery conditions on the ball and the artificial pitch, any lengthy periods of play were hard to come by for both sides. 

The hosts took the lead after some quick ball recycling saw them dart through the tiniest gap in the defence to score. Their lead didn’t last long as another driving maul from Withy rumbled across the whitewash, allowing George Doughty to score. 

Following a period of end-to-end play in the final quarter of the game, the hosts managed to create the overlap in the corner, with the line approaching, the Ivybridge number 12 swan dived over the line to give his side the lead again. 

This lead was almost extended a little later with a penalty kick at goal which sailed wide of the posts and then with the clock in the red, they very nearly scored a fourth, but to the relief of the travelling players and supporters, they dropped the ball going over the line, bringing an end to proceedings. 

Withycombe host Exeter Saracens on Saturday, kick-off 2:30pm.