Cole’s treble sends Ivybridge to first loss
South West Premier
MAIDENHEAD provided the shock of the South West Premier fixtures by sending Ivybridge to their first defeat of the season 3329.
Dave Cole scored a hattrick of tries for the hosts while Ceri Morgan and Ryan Long also ran over during the victory. That allowed leaders
Bournemouth to top the table by four points following a resounding 54-14 victory over Cleve to maintain their winning record from the opening seven matches.
Adam Higgins and Mike Pope both ran over a brace of tries each for the leaders while Carlos Snell Sam Hardcastle and Gianluca Firetto also crossed the whitewash.
Barnstaple maintained the pressure on the top two teams with a 25-20 win over Drybrook. The hosts, who had won five of their opening six games, took a fifth minute lead from Tom Clarke, but at the other end Mitchell Baldwin crossed the whitewash for a converted try to put Drybrook 13-8 ahead.
Kevin Angell replied six minutes later to regain Barnstaple the lead and then a penalty try put them 25-13 ahead and despite Luke Roberts’ late try the hosts ran out winners.
Cam McDonald scored a brace of tries as Bracknell picked up a second victory of the season following a 38-21 win over Camborne.
Michael Clarke and Connor Segre also crossed the whitewash in the bonus point victory.
Exmouth continued their solid start to the season but had to come from behind to clinch a 2521 bonus point win over Newton Abbott.
The Devon All Whites ran over two early tries before Exmouth came back into the tie with Dave Bargent pulling them back only for a third try to put Newton Abbot 15-8 ahead.
However, before the break the Exmouth forwards brought the difference back to two points before Bargent put his side ahead and then a penalty try secured the win.
Exeter University also continued their impressive start to the season by taking the points in a highscoring 41-35 win over Old Patesians.
A second half fight-back saw Brixham come from 16-10 down at half-time to seal a 27-23 win over Weston-super-Mare.