St Ives Finish with a win
St Ives 2XV vs. Thorney 2XV
Match report from April 30th 2005
Saturday saw St Ives’ final fixture of their 04/05 campaign with a trip to Thorney. It had been a week of upsets with Westwood cancelling last week and then Ely yet again pulling out of the annual Percy-Walker cup match. Both 1st’s and 2nd’s entered the pool in the hope of finishing the season with a game.
The 2nd XV drew Thorney away so Captain Rob Marland managed to pull together 20 players itching to finish off the season with a win. The first half started shakily, St Ives seemed unable to install any type of rhythm into their play, Thorney capitalised on this enjoying some sustained attack. Thankfully the defence held firm and despite their constant strikes at the St Ives line, Thorney could not break through. Instead they settled for a penalty to take the scores to 3-0.
This seemed to wake the St Ives pack up. Forwards started to move around as a unit, and thanks to this the backs gained the platform they wanted to begin the assault on Thorney’s defence. An excellent passage of play, which included no less than 13 phases of play and the ball being passed through every one of the backs hands, saw Rob Marland ever present in support crash through the gain line to score the first try of the match. Unfortunately Mike Sykes missed the conversion.
St Ives managed to strike second too. Again, good possession and support play found full back Mark Smy in open ground. He didn’t need a second invitation and crossed for the second try of the match.
The game began to slow after this, whether it was the heat or Thorney upping the pressure nobody knows, but something happened as neither team seemed able to hold onto the ball for any length of time. Not something that neither packs were particularly happy about due to the number of scrums that followed.
St Ives managed to finish the half with a third score, John Ackerly scoring under the posts with Mike Sykes converting. Half time score, Thorney 3 – St Ives 17.
The second half seemed a repeat of the first; St Ives again lost their rhythm allowing Thorney to attack again. This time the pressure paid off with Ashley Trainers crossing for Thorney. The try was converted.
This again woke St Ives up who enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half. John Paxton started it off, taking the Thorney winger on his outside and out sprinting him to the line; again Mike Sykes missed the conversion.
Mickey Drake continued his fine try scoring record by crossing under the sticks after some good fly half / centre play between Dave Sykes and James Cannon. The try was converted.
St Ives could have scored a hatful more, but it seemed to be that the final pass would never go to hand. The final word belonged to Tim Lumley Good; good attacking play saw Ross Thompson receive the ball deep in the Thorney 22. A simple pop to Big Tim saw him drag 3 defenders over the line for Tim’s first try of the season, and St Ives last. Mike Sykes converted.
Players are also reminded that the Rugby League season starts this weekend with the Roosters entertaining South Norfolk at Somersham Road. Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30 start.
Final Score Thorney 10 – St Ives 36