CHOSEN HILL F.P. 18 IVYBRIDGE 7

Playing up the slope Chosen were quickly into their stride and skipper Andy King put them in front after three minutes with a thirty metre penalty goal. Two minutes later Ivybridge worked their way into the home twenty two and earned a penalty but full back Steve Atkinson was off target with his goal attempt.

Chosen went back on the attack and their forwards were pressing for a try when number eight Ian Riddel was yellow carded and the advantage was lost, but despite being down to fourteen men they increased their lead after twenty minutes when forwards and backs combined well to send Max Hough charging towards the line, the centre was tackled ten metres out but second row Dean Barnard was up in support and he crashed over for the try converted by brother in law King.

Minutes later Ivybridge responded with a fine score of their own scored by flying winger Josh Perkin who jinked pass a couple of early tackle attempts and sprinted fifty metres down the touch line for a try in the corner. Atkinson converted to bring his side within three points of the leaders.

The second half saw Chosen have the advantage of the slope and they increased their lead after fifty minutes when they won a quick ruck twenty five metres out and the ball was worked to the blind side where King took the final pass and squeezed over for a try in the corner. His conversion attempt drifted wide but ten minutes later he added a drop goal after his forwards had again won quick ball twenty metres out.

By now Chosen’s forwards were beginning to gain ascendancy in the set piece and four strikes against the head kept the pressure on the visitors. A minor scuffle five minutes before the end saw both sides number tens sent the sin bin but it had no effect on the outcome, and Chosen claimed the two points to move up to ninth place in the league, one place above their visitors.

Next week Chosen welcome third placed Brixham to Brookfield Road with a 2.00pm kick-off.