Services made to fight for a derby victory

PROP DALEY GOES OUT ON A HIGH AFTER 150TH APPEARANCE

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVONPORT Services were forced to work every inch of the way for a 25-17 derby win over Ivybridge in South West One.

Other than during a brief spell in the first half when they led 7-3, Ivybridge were always behind in the match, but not far enough for Services to feel comfortable.

Services had to defend an eightpoint lead for more than 20 minutes at the end of the second half and their ability to do that made the difference between the sides.

Davy McGregor, the Ivybridge coach, said his side has not yet gained the expertise needed to win tight matches.

"We are putting young sides out at one stage the average age was between 19-20 - and the squad is not mature enough yet to grind out wins in close games," said Mc Gregor. "We were all over Services for much of the match, but they have the experience to grind out a win when they don't play well. We don't have that.

"Even when things were going well we could not get over the line." Kieran Leach, the Services' team manager, said without a platform the side had struggled at times.

"We could not get a foothold around the ruck area and without that we lost a platform," said Leach.

"Execution has been a strong point of ours recently, but we did not do that very well.

"And in the second half we did not have that many excursions into their half in the last 20 minutes."