1XV
A strong pre season, with games against Launceston 2XV, Wadebridge Camels and Newton Abbot put us in a good position and proves the importance of getting this stage of the season right.
Maybe that was proved correct, winning the first 7 games playing fast attractive expansive rugby which other teams found hard to live with.
But as with all good things that black spot came along, losing to Thornbury by 3 points on the last Saturday in October and all the League game in November.
That defeat was hard for the lads to take, it showed on their faces and body language but we had been on a high from last season, that carried us along. It was inevitable at some stage it had to burst, but how proud we all are of the players who never gave in, showing full commitment in training and games.

December saw a turning point beating North Petherton 38-24 and trouncing Cullompton 63-3 in the two home games. Travelling away to League leaders Cleve was always going to be a test, suffering the biggest lose of the season so far.
So we finish the first half of the League season 10 points behind Cleve (60) and 1 point ahead of Bridgewater & Albion (49), with Camborne and Avonmouth Old Boys on 44 and 41 points respectively.
At the present time we have played 14, won 9, lost 5 - points for 466, points against 341, points difference 125.
Top try scorer at the moment is Tom Scoles on 11, Lewis Paterson with 8 close on his heels. Matt Grieveson is top points scorer on 144.

MATT FINN finally made his 100th appearance and received his 100 game tie.

League returns tomorrow 3rd January with a trip to Drybrook.

2XV - VANDALS
The Vandals have picked up in a similar frame as the 1XV but with a far stronger squad having been swelled by Colts moving up to senior rugby.
Devon 1 2XV Merit Table can be unpredicatable but we have shown everyone we are not a team to be taken lightly.
In the first 11 games they have won 9, lost 2, had the game v Devoport Services postponed and unbelievably we were unable to raise a side when due to play Cullompton on 20th December. This was probably due to the close proximety of Christmas, works parties etc.

At the present time they sit 6th in the Merit Table on 26 points, points for 394, against 145, everyone above us has played 12 so we have a bit of catching up to do.
Not all the status have been collated yet but for the games I have recorded, Adam Clayson is top try and points scorer with 9 and 54.

YES GUYS I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET ALL THE STATS ADDED!

It has been a delight to watch the Vandals play, the mix of younger and more mature players fitting together well. The strength in depth is now showing and there are several players all on the verge of the 1XV.
This is great for the club and a huge plus for coaches, Neil 'Tommo', Lewis and Gareth who can call on players to step up into the 1XV and do themselves and the team justice.

They resume with a game home to Barnstaple this Saturday 3rd January.

COLTS

Once again Pete, Molly and Adrian have gone into a season which is partly unknown as is always the case with having a new influx of players. No one can predict just how well the lads coming up from the Under 16s will fair.
It is a huge jump up to Colt rugby and they are stepping into some mighty players shoes and into a scenario that has seen success year on year.
Personally I take my hat off to the coaches who seem to have found a formula that works and long may it reign! It is a credit to them when you look at the number of lads who have come through and keenly vie for places in the senior squads.

The Devon Colts Cup is played in a Merit Table format, playing regionally in the first half and then splitting the top clubs into the Cup and Plate in the New Year.
Ivybridge had to play Devonport Services, Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Plymstock Albion Oaks, home and away.
The only competitive games were against Kingsbridge where the result was one win a piece 27-20 lose at High House, 25-17 win at home.
(Sadly the rest a whitewash of the oppostion, beating Devonport 63-14 (H) and 17-48 (A), Plymstock 19-34 (A) and 69-0 (H), Tavistock could not raise a side to play at Cross-in-Hand but we won 0-60 (A).

Thankfully we had the U18s National Cup to give us real competitive rugby. Coney Hill had to concede the first game as they were unable to raise a side. In October it was an away trip to Royal Wotton Bassett winning 17-48.
Unfortunately we were then drawn away to Kingsbridge, the blues came out on fire and sadly Ivybridge never showed any real desire to win. Losing 23 - 5.

This left us in the National Plate and a chance to try and hold that title we won last season.
The first game was home to Chippenham and perhaps this has been a turning point, without their preferred selection and some U16s stepping into the breach.
Sadly I wasn't there that day but it was a great win 24 - 10.

Oddly we are drawn at home to Royal Wotton Basset in the next round.

The Colts have the first game of the second round of the Devon Cup at home to Okehampton tomorrow 3rd January.