Ivybridge U15s 24,

Exeter Saracens U15s 7

A slight improvement in the weather conditions during the week gave Ivybridge the opportunity to play Exeter Saracens on a wet but firm pitch.

The game was played with uncontested scrums, which did not allow either team to dominate set pieces and slowed down attacking options for both sides.

Saracens started ­positively, taking every opportunity to run at Ivybridge. After one move that was stopped by a high tackle, Saracens remained alert, took a quick penalty and scored a converted try under the posts.

The half then continued with both teams ­finding the conditions difficult to master. Handling errors and poor decisions made the game a little ­scrappy. However, Ivybridge remained calm and took their opportunities to score two short run-in tries and a conversion to end the first half at 12-7 up.

Saracens started the second half positively, but could not penetrate the Ivybridge defence. The game then continued in the midfield, with no team really ­taking control until a persistent Ivybridge attack allowed Ethan to rip the ball from a Saracens player on the line to score a converted try.

The game then ­continued in the same vein, with both sides trying to build attacks but losing control when it mattered. However, Ivybridge just had the upper hand and managed to get over the line, with Seb taking the points, whereas Saracens’ efforts came to nothing as they were held up over the line, denying them a score.

Although a clear win for Ivybridge, the ­difference was that they managed to secure the points whereas Saracens just could not quite finish off their final thrusts.