St Ives 2XV vs. Sharnbrook
It was St Ives II’s first match of the season. Due to the lack of II’s team players available, the II’s Captain, Ben Pinion had to form a side through the amalgamation of the vets, colts and II’s.
In the pre-match team talk, the St Ives Captain was very clear in his match tactics. He wanted the St Ives pack working as a unit and building on the phases. Winning the toss, St Ives opted to play downhill and receive the kick from Sharnbrook. St Ives were quick off the mark with two early tries, one from Fullback Dave Williams and the other from Jack Blackley, who had a great game at number 10. The St Ives pack were working extremely well together, protecting the fringes and building on the previously elusive phase play, which has let St Ives down in the past. St Ives didn’t really put a foot wrong in the first half at all, with impressive play from both the forwards and backs. A very good rolling maul from the St Ives pack, opened up a gap for St Ives number 3, Josh Dear, to burst through and score under the posts for a St Ives try, with Jack Blackley on hand for the conversion.
St Ives 10, 12 and 13 in the form of Jack Blackley, Stuart Cornwell and Ollie Moorhouse mounted strong attacks and opened up the Sharnbrook backs, leading to tries from Ollie Moorhouse and Dave Williams. The first half was finished off with Ollie Moorhouse scoring his second try and unselfishly drawing his opposite number and passing the ball to the St Ives scrum half Nigel Sweeney to score St Ives’ seventh try of the half.
With changes at half time, St Ives found themselves on the back foot against Sharnbrook. St Ives’ defence held up to the Sharnbrook attack with great play from the St Ives back row. St Ives conceded some unnecessary penalties due to lack of discipline but Sharnbrook were unable to capitalise on these opportunities.
Final Score: St Ives 43 Sharnbrook 0