With both sides safely positioned mid-table in division two, there was little to play for other than the kudos of winning the last game of 2016. Not expecting to be still playing in October, many regulars of both teams were absent, having arranged holidays or through other commitments.
This left team selections as a real headache for both captains, and they were very grateful for a few rookies agreeing to make up the numbers.
Under very threatening skies it was agreed to reduce the game to 24 ends instead of the normal 32 in case a heavy downpour curtailed the match before a result could be reached.
The first session went to the Ivies by nine shots, but the home side were to pull back three of them at the halfway point.
After the tea interval the Ivybridge side were once again on top, extending their lead by a further five shots; and although Saltash won the final six end session by two shots, the spoils went to the Ivies, 88-79.
For Ivybridge the top rink comprised Jack Bilby, Frank Sanders and Roland Lugger, skipped by Eric Bennett. They ended the match with a 22-12 victory.
Winning by one shot 21-20 was the rink of Tony Plant, Paul Binyon, Chris Bufton and skip Ken Kempthorne.
Fred Hawkes, Arthur Baxendale and John Cann, with skip Dave Crisp, were all square at 23-all by the end of match.
Finally, Trevor Slater, Terry Tyler, Brian Harman and their skip Grenville Barnett were narrowly beaten 22-24.
This completes a successful year for the Ivybridge team, during which time they won the Littleton Cup and, having ousted two of the region’s top clubs in the process, lost in the final of the Foxlands Trophy.
They also managed to claim the second-place spot in the Evening League.