A disappointing end to the game for ourselves in all honesty. I felt we dominated large parts , and certainly started brightly, but we let ourselves down with poor defence in our back line that really cost us at crucial moments. This gave us too much to do, and we were not quite able to grab hold of the game during second half spells.

Our forwards were a strong force, and we often caused problems at scrum, and in close play, but full credit to Ivybridge whose back line were sharp, and Charlie Briant in particular made a number of line breaks through the midfield. Tom Brown, Charlie Gibbings and Tom Barnard in particular did a lot of damage as a scrummaging unit but we were not able to see the rewards from this.

A crucial moment was the score before half time where we got back into the game with a try, only then to suffer a sucker punch from the kick off with the last play of the half, when the bounce of the ball evaded Tom Whelan and they scored following a decent kick from Mitch Pinkus. Pinkus and Luke Martell’s kicking game certainly had the better of ours , which ensured at they relieved pressure better than ourselves at key moments.

All 22 players worked tirelessly, and put in a good shift but too many individual errors from ourselves, and good back line Play from Ivybridge meant that the Cup was not to be this season. A shame, and an opportunity missed, but well done to Ivybridge who thoroughly deserved their victory. It was a good cup final and a great spectacle , in what has been a disappointing cup competition from a number of Devon clubs this season.

So, the season is finally over , and whilst we retained our league status in the most bizarre of leagues ever known with its closeness, we are disappointed to have finished where we did and to miss out on the Cup. A period of reflection to follow, as we seek to iron out some fine margins and retain the bulk of the current squad. The usual suspects have already approached a number of our players , and keeping the core together will be key to seeing how much we can move forward from this season.

Thanks for all of your efforts as players, spectators, sponsors and members - it has been very much appreciated .

Enjoy your off season

Regards

Jon