National League Three South West

Ivybridge 21,

Cleve 52

Ivybridge suffered their second loss of the season last weekend when they came up against old foes Cleve writes Tim Leigh.

The Bridge endured a tough day at the office after their squad, which was heavily depleted through injury and absence, suffered a big defeat.

The defence is an aspect which senior manager Neil Thomson knew would have to be improved upon this season if they were to prosper in this league and up to this point it had been impressive.

This result has, however, put a dent in their points against column, but with a week off due to the Rugby World Cup final this weekend, I’m sure the Bridge will be raring to go ahead of their trip to Bristol to take on Dings Crusa­ders on Saturday, Nov­ember 7.

It is well worth bearing in mind that Ivy­bridge are still sitting very pretty in fourth place in the table, an astonishing achievement for a side that has risen up the league ladder so quickly.

If you’d have offered anyone involved with Ivybridge rugby the chance to sit fourth in the league after six games, I’m pretty sure I know what the answer would have been.

Every league campaign sees bad results, it is the manner of the response that matters and Ivybridge have the chance to banish what was a result to forget in eight days’ time, hopefully with a fully fighting fit squad.