St Ives 1XV vs Bedford Queens
St Ives travelled to Bedford this weekend to face Bedford Queens in the third weekend of the league calendar. A strong team took to the field in what was hoped to be St Ives' first league win of the season.
The game started brightly with both sides looking to out muscle the opposition up front, in the scrummage a welcome return of Gez Gilburt ensured that St Ives were going to be no pushovers in that department. Unfortunately though, Bedford Queens struck first and second in quick succession. St Ives, despite enjoying a large amount of possession, were prone to relaxed defence around the fringes and leaked 2 tries early on. This seemed to act as a catalyst to the St Ives attack though, which was eventually awarded on the stroke of half time seeing Dave Williams cross the line after a well worked move created the overlap on the outside. Half time score Queens 14 - St Ives 7
The second half picked up from the promising play in the first half seeing St Ives attack with increased vigour and aggression. It was eventually down to the boot of Jack Blackley that broke the Queens defence, seeing the opposition winger out of position Jack produced a deft chip for Charles Paxton to collect and score out wide. Jack Blackley was unsuccessful with the conversion though. Again some relaxed defence allowed Queens to strike back quickly, a dropped pass was pounced upon by the Queens centre to run in unopposed under the posts. This again motivated the visiting team into an attacking frame of mind and St Ives poured forward once again - with the back line enjoying some exciting periods of free running. It was James Cannon's turn to produce the goods, again a chip through by Cannon was collected by the man himself to cross the line, unfortunately Blackley was unsuccessful in the conversion.
Next up was John Paxton to put his name on the score sheet, some good play by the forwards sucked in the defence allowing the backs to exploit the immediate overlap allowing John to score out wide. Jack Blackley was successful with his conversion and brought the scores to 21 - 24 in St Ives' favour. With not long left in the game, all St Ives had to do was hold out the oppositions attacks. It was Queens' turn to get the bit between their teeth and found themselves 15 metres out from the St Ives line. Unfortunately it was lax defence around the fringes that was St Ives' downfall, allowing the Queens flanker to cross the line in the last 5 minutes. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving St Ives trailing by 2 points.
Try as they might though, the breakthrough was not coming and the final whistle blew allowing Queens to scrape a win at 26-24. Next week sees St Ives entertain Wellingborough OG's at Somersham Road. Support is always welcome in what will prove to be a highly entertaining match up.