Modbury Rovers U16s 6,
YMCA All Saints 1
The game started with Modbury full of confidence and bursting forward straight away.
It wasn’t long before Theo Cox played Jack Eades through for him to open the scoring with a perfect flick.
Modbury returned to a flat back four with Weeks, Bodman, Holt, and Edgecombe looking solid as ever.
But it was the midfield of Berry, Cox, Hurt and Fountain that was feeding Louis Brace and Eades.
The next wave ended in Berry cutting in from the right and hitting a thunderbolt that the ‘keeper could only parry into Eades’ path for him to double the score.
Modbury were in control and with Hurt and Weeks running the left wing, Weeks burst forward and squared to Eades to hit his hat-trick in less than 10 minutes. A slight defensive slip saw All Saints scramble a loose ball over the line.
Rovers were not dis heartened and as Fountain found himself surrounded by defenders, he embarked on a run past three and turned at the edge of the box to hit a shot to the bottom corner. A couple of subsitutes at half time saw Petitt settle in the middle and Joseph support Eades up front.
It was the latter who latched on to a Berry, Fountain and Cox link up, turning he sent Eades through for his fourth of the day.
Everything that Saints threw at Rovers was absorbed by the hardest working and best understanding back line in the league, having let in less goals than any other team.
The Modbury pressure was constant and when man of the match Fountain headed towards goal, he found Hurt on the left and he fired home for 6-1.
Modbury have had a dream start to the season as they are still unbeaten and looking like the finished article.
Ivybridge U16s 28,
Kingsbridge U16s 17
A thundering start from Kingsbridge was a unique opening to this derby fixture between two well matched squads.
Great passing and recycling among the forwards turned the screw and after 10 minutes of bombardment Ivybridge conceded a very kickable penalty. Captain Ben Woods like his England counterpart decided to eschew the points and opted for a scrum.
The restart was well controlled by the pack and the ball reworked resulting in an opening try for Larry John.
In the long history between these age group teams this was unusual territory and Kingsbridge appeared to take the foot off the gas as Ivybridge duly clawed themselves back into the game and a half-time lead.
The tide was stemmed by the forwards putting their bodies on the line with Sid Niblett, Dan Tucker and Petroc Brown taking some big hits.
Louis Chapman made some scintillating breaks and together with Devon Jewsbury caused mayhem in the Ivybridge ranks.
With a couple of key players out due to injury, it would have been easy for heads to drop, but instead Kings rallied and Harry Way crashed over for the first try of the second half.
Brave tackling by Max Howard and Lewis Dustan, enterprising runs from Sam West kept the pressure on but injuries meant further disruption, with Sam Thomas switching positions from wing to flanker.
Jordan Perring was rewarded for his non-stop work with the final try of the game, which was duly converted by Will Throgmorton.
Ivybridge U15s 0,
Tavistock U15s 17
In a role reversal from last week’s game, it was Ivybridge’s opponents who dominated the scrum and applied constant pressure in the breakdown.
From the kick off, Tavistock showed their intent with strong scrummaging and forceful rucking, forcing Ivybridge onto the back foot and into making errors.
Within minutes they had scored a try from an Ivybridge mistake. Moments later they claimed a second after Ivybridge were penalised for lying on the ball.
Ivybridge did manage to compose themselves and hold on for the remainder of the first half, but through spirited defence rather than penetrating attacks.
With a sloping pitch and a gusting wind in their favour, Ivybridge did start the second half better, coming within millimetres of their opponents’ line but they could not quite get through the Tavistock defence.
Although Seb, who had a good game, was in control of the line-outs and Matt was driving forward into contact, collectively Ivybridge were never allowed time or space to build any phases of play.
When the three-quarters did get the opportunity to run, they were either forced into making errors or could not manage to complete the final pass.
It was Tavistock who took the only points of the half, claiming what was a well-deserved victory.
Cullompton U14s 19,
Kingsbridge U14s 19
A misty autumnal morning provided the backdrop to a 10.30am kick-off for the Kings U14s in Collumpton.
The game got off to a fast start with the raw speed of the home side’s inside centre taking Kings by surprise with a well taken early try.
Kings’ set piece was strong, with Niall Marsh taking some good line-out ball and the rucks providing plenty of possession, but Cullompton took full advantage of a generous offside law putting the Kings’ backs on the back foot and forcing them to play far too laterally.
It was from this stifling lack of space that Cullompton snaffled up an interception and ran in the second try from 50 metres.
Kings now showed great resolve and kept working away and put real pressure on the Cullompton backs, with tireless tackling from Joe Thomas, Milo Wren, Fergus and Liam Platts Costeloe in the back row.
Will John put in a man-of-the-match performance, chasing up kicks, tackling and showing great conviction with ball in hand and producing Kings’ first try.
Kings went into the second half five points adrift and the strength and speed of Cullompton produced another home team try.
Kings could have folded then, but they upped their game from the ensuing restart and pressure coughed up the ball, which was recycled out to Tom Newman who ran in a seven pointer from out wide.
With their tails up now, Kings started to find space and Alex Thomas made a superb break and although he was brought down, Marcel pounced on the ball and took the Cullompton defence by surprise to run in a very well-taken try to even the score before full time.
Ivybridge U13s 22
Barnstaple U13s 5
Ivybridge emerged victorious from this bruising encounter against opponents from North Devon.
There were crunching tackles from both defence lines from the off and the Ivybridge players soon knew this was was going to be a tough match.
Intelligent kicking from Edward Epps gained good field position and, following on from this, Ivybridge disrupted the Barnstaple line-out and were able to release Jacob Winters to score in the corner.
Subsequently Ivybridge pressed high up the pitch and forced the errors from the Barnstaple backs.
Archie Bryan then was able to use his pace and power to open up space and score.
Barnstaple continue to battle up front and had the better of the early scrums.
Aggressive tackling led to an Ivybridge knock-on and the Barnstaple centre was able to take full advantage – sprinting through to score under the posts.
The kick was missed, however, and so Ivybridge led 10-5 at the break.
In the second half squad rotation led to several changes. The Ivybridge backs started to run straighter from deep and their attacks were incisive. Ewan Stephens and Hamish Harris rucked impressively and the Ivybridge backs were making real inroads.
The irrepressible Jacob Winters scored a second try and a line break from Cameron Howley led to quick recycled ball for Archie Bryan to score his second. This was converted by Edward Epps.
The closing minutes were marred by a number of injuries to Barnstaple players but they battled on bravely until the end.
KM United U13s 4,
Torquay Academy 2
KM turned in an improved performance against visitors Torquay but by no means had it all their own way.
Early exchanges saw Tom H volley just over the bar and Sam making incisive breaks on the left. Richie in the KM goal was kept busy with Ollie (player of the match), Louis, Harry, Dan and Lewis containing a capable Torquay attack.
After 20 minutes a long ball into the box went through several players only to bounce agonisingly over Richie’s head and in.
KM rallied and a cross from Sam saw their defence beaten, but as Oscar was about to slot it home the ball took a cruel bobble over his foot and the half ended with KM chasing the game.
After some straight talking, KM came out with renewed determination. It wasn’t long before sustained pressure and a fine jinking run from Oscar left Billy in space to fire home.
KM seemed to regain their self belief and within five minutes Oscar, showing trademark strength and determination, was able to square the ball to Tom M, who finished expertly.
KM pushed hard for the third goal, which came from a sweetly-struck shot from Billy that nestled in the top corner. Torquay came alive again and scored a fine individual breakaway goal to go 3-2 down.
With Euan on at full back and Michael and Asa in attack, KM defended resolutely and picked their way through the Torquay defence for Oscar to make it four.
Cullompton U13s 33,
Kingsbridge U13s 10
Kingsbridge U13s travelled along the A38 to play Cullompton, who were one of only two teams to beat them last season.
With a depleted squad and a few bleary eyes from the previous night’s England game, Kingsbridge knew they would be in for a hard battle which indeed proved to be the case.
From the kick-off Kingsbridge were on the back foot and a very well-organised Cullompton squad applied some early pressure.
With Cullompton’s backs switching play well, it was not long before the pressure told and some missed tackles by Kingsbridge led to a try in the corner. A great conversion by Cullompton extended their lead.
It was not long before another try followed with a very impressive conversion by Cullompton.
Kingsbridge looked rattled and worked hard to get back into the game with some good line-out ball allowing Alex to drive over for a try.
It looked like at this stage that Kingsbridge might get back into the game but with Cullompton scored a further try before the break.
After half time Kingsbridge tried to regroup, but with play stretched across the pitch it was not long before further tries followed for Cullompton.
Kings did, though, manage a consolation try.
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