IVYBRIDGE 1st XV slipped up away at Wadebridge Camels RFC, where they went ahead twice but were unable to stay there, eventually falling to a 41-25 defeat.

Steve Atkinson, the Ivybridge coach, said the game was closer than it looked despite what the scoreline implied.

“The first half was brilliant and showed that both teams will be up there this year,” said Atkinson.

“Having got back from 12-3 down to 12-10 at half time, I thought we had managed to turn the tide.

“We scored first after the restart, but silly penalties and a defence that wasn’t our norm let them in.

A couple of decisions went against us and the scoreline at the end looked like they ran away with it.

“We couldn’t get on the right side of the ref at all in the second half but can’t fault the effort from the boys.”

Harry Newman-Wild converted a penalty and an Owen Garner try to have Ivybridge nipping on Wadebridge’s heels at the break.

Tries from Joe Owen then James Cantin, the latter converted by Newman-Wild, gave Ivybridge a brief 22-19 lead in the second half.

By the time Newman lined-up his second penalty of the game, the Camels had worked-up a 34-22 lead. The home side had one more try in the locker before the final whistle.

Said Atkinson: “On to Teignmouth next when, hopefully, we can put some wrongs from this week right then.”

Talking of Teignmouth and they were on the receiving end of a 57-7 battering away at Nailsea & Backwell.

Other results in the Regional Two South West division saw Okehampton beat Crediton by just two points on the road, Winscombe fall at home to Penzance & Newlyn, Tiverton beat Sherborne and Wiveliscombe and North Petherton share the spoils in a cracking 29-29 affair.