VIGO crashed to a heavy defeat against a spirited and committed Olavians side on Saturday.

Yet again, they can only have themselves to blame.

Dominating territorially and in possession, the Villagers either could not find their way through a determined defence or regularly coughed up possession, which the opposition fed on hungrily to score.

Olavians, as ever, gave a supreme demonstration of how to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.

The template for the match was set midway through the first half when Vigo lost the ball in contact and Olavians whipped it wide.

Adam Smith was fed the ball in space and he had an unopposed run to the line.

Liam Cunnah added the extras.

Vigo fought back hard up a severe slope and smashed away at the Olavians line.

Exceptional defence kept Vigo out as their forwards made a series of concussive strikes at the line.

Losing patience, Vigo moved the ball wide only for Chris Newman to make an interception and race the full length of the pitch for a try, converted by Cunnah.

The slope of the pitch was probably worth two scores at least and Vigo were confident with their forward power, they could overturn these tries in the second half but were confounded when another loose ball was punted hopefully forward.

As Vigo dithered trying to clear the ball, James Clark raced onto the loose ball to score.

Cunnah’s conversion was a formality and Vigo’s hopes had probably gone.

They applied themselves to the seemingly hopeless task and were rewarded when a series of forward drives was finished by Jamie Caton going over for his ninth try in a truncated season.

Olavians continued to defend courageously, while Vigo continued to attack desperately but with little success.

Jack Knight was rewarded with a diligent display with a late try, converted by Dan Norton, but it was to no avail as a superb cross-field kick was plucked from the air by Smith to score at the death.

Cunnah’s conversion was the icing on the cake.