Leach admits Services suffer a rude awakening in Nat Two

DEVONPORT Services lost 40-22 at Bournville on their National Two West debut following promotion from South West One.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BOURNVILLE 40

DEVONPORT SERVICES 22

Services trailed 33-12 at half time.

Despite an improved showing in the second half, the damage was irreparable.

Kieran Leach, Services' team manager, said: "It was a bit of a rude awakening for us and as good as over by half time.

"The big difference from South West One is the pace the game is played at.

"It felt like everything in the backs was taking place at a hundred miles an hour. We like to set-up our plays up, but quickly learned there is no time for that.

"One of their tries came from a scrum on the right and within five seconds they had scored wide on the left. That is not what happens in South West One as a rule.

"We did well after half time to 'win' it two tries to one and spend a lot of time camped in their half. They had two yellow cards, which helped us play to a few of our strengths.

"And we did score four tries away from home, which showed we can be competitive at that level and eamed us a bonus point." A line-out move put Harrison Coonick in for Services first try. Fullback Tom Davis added a second which was converted by Richard Goldsby-West.

The second-half started badly for Services as a converted try put Bourneville 40-12 up.

The yellow cards took a toll on Bournville and allowed Services to attack from line-out drills, which led to a couple of tries for prop Yianni Costas.

Bourneville's tries were scored by Rob Knox, Adam Shaw, Nathan Decalmer, Sam Grimshaw (2) and Freddie Morgan, who also kicked the goals.

MATSON 28 IVYBRIDGE 27

TWO yellow cards in the dying embers of the match did Ivybridge no favours in their 28-27 defeat at Matson.

The Bridge were 27-14 ahead as the clock ticked down and looking likely to return home with all five points from the village on the outskirts of Gloucester.