National League Three South West

Newton Abbot 20,

Ivybridge 27

Ivybridge’s astonishing start to life in the national leagues shows no sign of slowing as a five-try victory over established league hands Newton Abbot moved the Bridge up to second in the table writes Tim Leigh.

Tries from Dan Jones and Billy Pinkus helped the visitors to a 12-6 lead at the break, before Tom Scoles and Mike Cox added further tries in the second half. Newton were still in touch, however, as they responded immediately to each score with a try of their own to stay in the game.

The visitors were rarely comfortable until prop John Morgan scored the decisive fifth try late on to ensure the points were going back to Cross-in-Hand.

The All Whites are used to their Rackerhayes ground being a fortress, so for Ivybridge to go there and win really does lay down a marker to other teams.

Ivybridge’s record so far reads played five, won four, with their only defeat coming away from home at league leaders Barnstaple, where they lost out by just two points.

Ivybridge’s senior manager Neil Thomson was pleased with the result from a notoriously tough place and admitted his side were above expectations in terms of league position at this stage.

However, he refused to get too carried away after only five games in a league where each and every game provides a stern challenge.

He said: ‘It was a very good team performance against Newton. We were smaller than them but we still drove them back at the mauls, and to get five points was a real result with their home record.

‘We’re above where we thought we would be at the moment but there’s still a long, long way to go.’

It was an extra special game for fly-half Matt Grieveson as it was his 100th appearance in the green and black strip, un­derlining the lack of chopping and changing Ivy­bridge have done on their meteoric rise up the league ladder.

Thomson was pleased with Grieveson’s overall contribution to the game, despite his troubles from the tee.

Ivybridge have a break this weekend, something Thomson admitted would come in useful after his side picked up a few injuries against All Whites.

The development team will, however, be tackling old foes Kingsbridge. Thomson is hoping the game will give the coaches a chance to see some of the more fringe first-team players, with a likely run-out for George DeMendonca as he tries to rediscover his form.

Thomson said: ‘It’s good to have a chance to look at the players and see what they can do.

‘We had Pete Abrahams, the development team captain, come off the bench against Newton, he came on and did his job; he admitted the pace of the game was a little faster, but that’s only to be expected.

The more Ivybridge can improve their squad depth, the more dangerous they will become, and while the side are training well and looking to keep improving the future is certainly bright for the club.