St Ives vs. Wellingborough OGs
St Ives 1XV enjoyed their first home game of the 05/06 season against Wellingborough OG's. The game started brightly with both sides looking to run the ball at any given opportunity, but both defences were holding firm. St Ives playing down the slope began to see a reappearance of consistency in the scrummage area, with the return to loose head prop by St Ives’ Man of the Match Steve Parkes a major contributing factor in the equation; the St Ives pack were able to exert pressure on the large OG's pack. It was from here that St Ives were able to break the deadlock; a secure scrummage provided the platform for the backs to run at the OG's defence. Some good offloading in the tackle area allowed the move to continue at pace and good support found St Ives 5 metres from the OG's line. Wellingborough, in desperation, were throwing everything at the ensuing ruck and were penalised for deliberately killing the ball. Jack Blackley calmly slotted the kick to put St Ives up 3-0.
Wellingborough were quick to hit back, they won back possession forcing the error from St Ives and began to look threatening. Their attacks eventually paid off with a penalty being awarded just to the left of the posts. The kick was made successfully to level the scores at 3 a piece. This was the end of the scoring for the first half, despite both sides continuing to look promising in attack; the final scoring move was not forthcoming, James Cannon coming closest with a surging drive that was eventually held up 1 metre from the try line.
The second half carried on the pressure from the first half. St Ives, now playing up the field were playing a very fast game, off loading the ball at every opportunity and looking to stretch the OG’s defence. The plan was working to a point and the fast play was showing in the OG’s pack, unfortunately St Ives began to force the pass when holding it in would have proved just as successful. These unforced errors allowed the OG’s to regain composure and remain in the game.
Eventually the rapid play paid off. The ball, after passing through numerous pairs of hands, found its way to Jon Paxton. Jon backed himself for pace against the OG’s winger, chipping the ball through, collecting and scoring in the corner. Unfortunately Jack Blackley missed the conversion. Wellingborough OG’s again answered quickly, some quick rucking from the pack successfully managed to tie up the St Ives defence and created the overlap on the left hand side. The remaining defence were unable to get over in time, despite Chris Morton calling for support before the ball was played, and OG’s managed to break through, with the winger placing the ball under the posts. The try was converted making the scores 10 – 8 in OG’s favour.
Vinny Woodward was brought into the back row to add fresh legs to the equation. His inclusion immediately paid off, forcing the error from the restart and constantly popping up in the right place to add support, it was this support that led to St Ives’ 2nd try. Quick recycled ball allowed play to be spread to the wing, where it found Vinny who handed off the winger and powered to the line to score. Jack Blackley missed the conversion.
This left the scores at 13-10 to St Ives and 10 minutes to play. The defence was looking strong and OG’s had to resort to penalty kicks, two coming perilously close - just dropping under the bar. It wasn’t until the last 5 minutes that St Ives’ attack cracked. A rush defence from the back line was too quick off the mark in the eyes of the referee. A penalty was awarded 10 metres out which OG’s immediately ran, finding the St Ives defence struggling to get back. The try was scored in the corner but unconverted, 15-13 to the OG’s. It was now St Ives’ turn to throw everything at the line, unfortunately the final whistle sounded and the game ended.
Captain Ross Thompson was happy with the performance St Ives had put in: “The players’ effort was tremendous today compared to previous weeks; our only failing was trying to play the game too quickly. There was a time when we needed to slow things down and unfortunately we didn’t do it.”
Final Score: St Ives 13 – Wellingborough OG’s 15