Ivybridge retained the right to call themselves Devon Champions with a Herculean effort against a resilient Sidmouth side that resulted in a victory by a single second half try.
The route to the final had been tough with fixtures against Brixham, Cullompton, Topsham and Exeter Youth. On a bitterly cold day with a biting wind Ivybridge dug deep in the first half, playing against the wind. Despite this they dominated possession and had the better of the scrums – with the wind lineouts were a bit of a lottery but enterprising play by the back line gained important yards with good use of phases. Sidmouth couldn’t cope with the powerful Ivybridge rucks and repeatedly infringed. Ivybridge ended the half on the front foot but were unable to convert pressure into points.
With the wind at their backs in the second half Ivybridge piled on the pressure – strong running from man of the match Ewan Stephens gained yards time after time but the Sidmouth defence was resolute as first Hamish Harris and then Jacob Winters were held up just short of the line. Stephens was also held up agonisingly short and as the clock ticked down and a replay became a distinct possibility.
At times Sidmouth looked to counter from their own 22 but the strong defence of Will Spring Thomas Pringle and Cameron Howley provided pivotal.
Finally the breakthrough came. The forwards drove as a unit and the ball was rucked back for George Barnes to pick up, crash over and score.
There was still time for Sidmouth to try and counter but the Ivybridge defensive line held firm and Ivybridge were crowned Devon Champions for the third year in a row.
Credit both to Sidmouth who battled hard and to the full Ivybridge squad who got the team to the final – whilst everyone didn’t get onto the pitch, including the influential Archie Bryan who was injured 5 days earlier playing for West Devon, the depth of the squad has been really important for the team’s success.