RUGBY

TWO opportunistic tries saw Bideford escape defeat on a difficult afternoon at Ivybridge.

The Chiefs were staring at their first defeat of 2012 when they trailed 15-3 in the closing stages of Saturday's Tribute Western Counties (west) game.

But scores by Sam Olde and Jamie Giddy, both converted by Olly Wickett, snatched a fifth successive win.

Things had not started well with prop George Snell and back Richie Allin pulling out injured before kick off.

Paul Thomas, another front rower, carried an arm injury into the match and lasted only ten minutes.

The last thing Bideford needed was a fast start from Ivybridge – but that is exactly what they were faced with.

Up against it, the visitors kept conceding penalties and Adam Bradley kicked four of them.

Fortunately for Bideford he missed three others and they trailed only 12-3 at the break, with Wickett kicking a penalty.

Ivybridge again worked their way into the Bideford half after the interval and Bradley extended the lead by another three points when Richard Norman slapped the ball down in front of the posts, which resulted in a yellow card for the No 8.

Inside the final ten minutes, there was a glimmer of hope for Bideford thanks to some quick thinking by Wickett.

Catching a clearance in touch, he threw a quick lineout to himself and then passed for Olde to sprint through under the posts.

Wickett converted and Bideford were straight on the offensive from the restart.

Ivybridge secured possession at a lineout close to their own try line but when the ball was sent back to their fly half he dropped it and Jamie Giddy, Bideford's open-side flanker, pounced to score a match-levelling try.

Wickett's conversion sailed over to put Bideford two points clear.

There was time for one last scare as an Ivybridge dropped-goal attempt fell just short.

But Bideford held on for a second narrow victory over Ivybridge after a 14-13 win at King George's Field in October.

Dave Harris, the Bideford manager, said: "We had a few problems before the game and we didn't play particularly well.

"The Ivybridge forwards picked and drove quite well but that was all they were doing.

"In the second half they tried to close the game out doing exactly the same thing and it was difficult to play against.

"On Thursday we had a very strong squad on paper. Hopefully a couple of the boys will be fit for Saturday (against Kingsbridge)."

Bideford Harlequins' winning streak ended at 14 matches as they lost by a single point at Ivybridge.

With the hosts leading 16-15, Quins captain Rich Weston lined up a potentially match-winning kick in the last minute.

But his effort was off target, leaving Bideford beaten for the first time since a 17-7 defeat at Brixham III on September 24.

Bideford played with passion and energy. Gareth Woolaway and Jake Ellis scored tries, with Weston kicking the other points.

Mark Slee, at fly half, was man of the match, while Sam Griffin and Rich Hegharty played well.

Bideford Nomads lost 15-0 to a strong Topsham second XV.

The visitors crossed after just two minutes but the result was in the balance for most of the game.

A second try, which was converted, came on the stroke of half time and Topsham sealed their victory with a last-minute penalty.

Tim Falkner had a fine game at No 8 for Bideford and other strong performances came from Jamie Evans, Shaun Woodhead and Mike Powe.