Results and Reports 6th May 2007
Loughborough junior sevens, St Ives under-16 reach the final, only to tire
St Ives under-16s final action of the season was participation in the Loughbrough 7s. Team spirit was high after a Saturday session white-water rafting and an evening's fun and frolics in Loughbrough. The squad gave an excellent account of themselves, reaching the final. Injuries and extreme fatigue (nothing to do with Saturday's activities, surely?) led to a lack-lustre performance and heavy defeat in the final, but the boys could be justifiably proud of their efforts.
Looking a little bleary-eyed, the squad arrived early at Loughbourough Rugby Club keen to get started. Their first match was against fellow travellers Birmingham and Solihull and it could not have started better, with Ben Carter soon released to sprint around the defence to score an unconverted try. This was soon followed by a quick release to James Wood to race through and score, converting himself, and another solo effort by Matt Nice. In the second half, B&S came back into the match, but stout defence left them scoreless. St Ives were able to score two more good team tries, both finished by Steve Hehir, one converted by Adam Buttigieg, the other by Dan Breed. Score 31-0.
The next game was to be a complete reverse against a very strong Rugby Lions seven. St Ives seemed intimidated by the size and pace of their opponents and slipped off tackles. It was one way traffic during the first half as Lions scored 5 unanswered tries. The second half was a much better effort from St Ives, Tom Brown prominent in defence and Ronan Delany leading from the front. St Ives pressure was rewarded when Dan Breed finished a move to score in the corner. Lions had the last word with the final score, 5-36.
To reach the final, St Ives needed a big result against hosts Lougborough, and how they responded. Loughborough were completely blown away as the team really found its feet and put excellent passages of sevens play together. Nice scored two tries early, followed by a couple of classic scores from Carter, both of which he converted himself. Loughborough responded with one of their own during the half. The second half saw St Ives redouble their efforts and score a further four tries through Wood, Breed (2) and Matt Taylor, all converted by Breed. 52-7.
After a surprise reverse for Lions against B&S, St Ives went through to the final having won the league, a great effort.
However, it was a game too far. Lions played excellent sevens to score four tries in each half. However, seven of them came from St Ives possession when dropped ball or a knock-on was snaffled and clinically disposed of by Lions, who were worthy winners of the event.
Dan Breed was nominated man-of-the-tournament for his all round performance and never-say-die attitude in the final.
The squad takes a break now until the new season, when they join the East Midlands under-17 league. St Ives will welcome reinforcements to its squad as they take on this tough new element to their season. So looks forward to welcoming new players in August.