6th November 2005

Shelford vs. St Ives vs. Saffron Walden

St Ives Under 7's

St. Ives U7 B 30 Shelford U7 ‘B’ 25

In an exciting match St. Ives took an early lead which they never relinquished. Both teams excelled considering that there were several members on each side that had never played the game before. Zac Ling was the
first to score following a strong run from Flynn Kennedy. Following the equaliser from Shelford, Tom Guest restored the advantage after a good run from George Peacock. Ling was on hand to take the pass and score his second a few minutes later, and following a second score from Shelford completed his hat-trick before half time. Ling had obviously found the scoring touch, when he caught a wild pass and stormed over for the fifth St. Ives try. Bradley Herbert completed the scoring for St. Ives when he ran from the half-way line before three tries for Shelford in quick succession led to a tense finale.

St. Ives U7 B 15 v Saffron WaldenU7 20

Saffron Walden scored two quick tries which put St. Ives under pressure, but they rallied and bounced back when Tom Guest scored. The scoring was then pretty much tit for tat, as Freddie Smith scored his first try for St. Ives following a Walden score, and then Zac Ling continued his fine scoring run after good running and support play from Bradley Herbert and Oliver Naylor. Unfortunately the team could not hold on and Saffron Walden scored an exciting winner in the corner near the end of the game

St. Ives U7 B 10 Shelford U7 ‘B’ 10

At the end of the day in atrocious conditions a further game against Shelford B took place. In another entertaining game where defences were mostly on top Ben Fleming opened the scoring after a good run. Shelford hit back with two scores of their own. Following some good runs from Daniel Purver, Zac Ling was on hand to finish the scoring.

St. Ives U7 A 25 Saffron Walden U7 25

In an entertaining game were there was some excellent rugby played by both sides in attack and a draw was probably the fairest result. Harry Spittle started the game with a storming run, only to be tagged short of the line, but with good support Thomas Johnson charged over. St. Ives were then forced into dogged defence with Charlie Bowen, Daniel Hudson and Tommy McCarthy tagging well. Despite this St. Ives found themselves behind at half-time after Saffron Walden crossed for 2 tries.

With a few enforced changes Cullen Smy took the first pass in the second half and charged over immediately. The scoring went backwards and forwards with William Rolt scoring, only for Saffron Walden to score 2 further tries to go into the lead once more.Harry Spittle then scored the final two tries for St. Ives to tie up the scores.

St. Ives U7 A 25 Shelford U7 ‘A’ 25

In another excellent game of mini-rugby St. Ives and Shelford fought out a draw. St. Ives took the lead when Cullen Smy wriggled his way through the packed Shelford defence. Shelford equalised soon after, and then Harry Spittle put St. Ives back in front after a weaving run from Daniel Purver. Shelford then put St. Ives and managed 2 tries before half time to take the lead.

At the start of the second half Tommy McCarthy levelled things up, but Shelford scored again, only for Simon Carter to register his first score of the day when he was in support after a good run from Thomas Johnson. As time was running out, William Rolt managed to squeeze himself down the touchline and dart through a small gap to ensure that the game ended level.

St. Ives U7 A 15 Shelford U7 ‘A’ 15

Some very entertaining rugby ended in yet another draw. Shelford managed to sneak over the line to take the lead. The Young Bulls hit back when Tommy McCarthy ran in after a good run from Charlie Bowen and good support play from Thomas Johnson. As the half drew to a close there was some more
excellent but Shelford managed to get their noses in front just before the break.

Shelford started with the ball at the beginning of the second half and pressed to increase their lead, but sterling defence kept them out. Sam Tuckwood then ran almost the length of the pitch to nearly score, but
William Rolt pounced and darted round the outside of the defence to level the scores. Cullen Smy was then on hand to take a scoring pass before Shelford equalise again. St. Ives then pressed to score the winning try, but
the clock was the eventual winner.

St Ives Under 8's

Shelford U8 45, St. Ives U8 10

Having lost only narrowly to Shelford in the Cambs. Cup recently, St. Ives were optimistic of turning the tables on the hosts on this occasion; however, it was not to be. The match was lively from the start, but Shelford ran the length of the pitch to open the scoring. The visitors picked themselves up immediately, a combined move by George Smith and James Digby putting Jake Bowen through to equalise. Shelford regained the lead shortly after and then pounced on a loose ball to score following a handling error. Another try by Shelford
took the score to 20-5 at half time. The second half appeared to start more brightly for St. Ives,but Shelford
stepped up a gear and the score moved to 40-5 within a few minutes. Saints fought back, with Peter Ford putting away Daniel Palmer to score a fine try. Shelford scored once again just before the end, the final score being 45-10.

St. Ives U8 40, Saffron Walden U8 15

St. Ives responded in the best way possible, quickly pulling into a 15-0 lead, thanks to two tries from Reuben Patrick and one from James Digby. A momentary lapse in concentration in defence let Saffron Walden through to pull one back, but Lewis Smith ran straight through their defence and scored his first try of the season for Saints to restore the three-try cushion at the break. The second half was more closely contested, twice tries by Jake Bowen being cancelled out by Saffron Walden. George Smith scored his first of the day after a good run, and a late try by Bowen for his hat-trick brought the final score to 40-15.

St Ives Under 9's

St. Ives U9 15 Shelford U9 30

Saints paid the penalty for a slow start, defending poorly to allow a strong Shelford side to score 3 unanswered tries before half time. In the second half a much stronger performance saw St. Ives score 3 excellent tries. Tyler Elstub broke from the front of a line out to outpace the defence and score in the corner before Toby Naylon scored his first try for the club after capitalising on a handling error to sprint away and score. Connor Guest also scored but Shelford also score 3 times to maintain their lead.

St. Ives U9 15 Saffron Walden U9 20

Another committed performance saw St. Ives move into a first half lead against Safron Walden. Tyler Elstub and Chris Radbone scored tries before Toby Naylon ran the full length of the pitch to score another excellent try. A Saffron Walden score left the half time score 15-5. After the break the Saints struggled to hold a mature Saffron Walden side and despite excellent tackling from Lachlan Park and Tyler Elstub they were unable to prevent the Essex side from registering a last gasp victory as they scored the last of 3 unanswered tries with virtually the last move of the game.

St Ives Under 11's

St Ives 5 – Shelford B 5

In a wind-affected game honours were even in the first half. The second half saw the St Ives forwards pressing the Shelford line and Tom Mount went over for a try. Shelford then used the wind and kicked long, putting the St Ives backs under pressure with a simple pick-up and score.

St Ives 5 – Saffron Walden 5

This was a tight match in worsening conditions with Saffron Walden pressing for the first half. The second half saw a long St Ives clearing kick returned by the Saffron Walden back line for a try out wide. The St Ives forwards then rallied and pushed play up to near the opponent’s line, the ball popped out of the ruck and Innes Christison scored to seal the draw.

St Ives 0 – Shelford A 25  

A tiring St Ives side struggled in the rain against the strong Shelford A forwards, the latter driving forward with good linking play to score three in the first half and two in the second. Stout defence by St Ives kept the score respectable.

St Ives Under 12’s

On a cold, wet and blustery day St Ives travelled to Shelford. In their first game they faced Saffron Walden. Following the previous weeks disappointments St Ives were keen to turn around their fortunes, they started well putting the pressure on from the start, controlling the scrum, rucks & mauls and backs combining well. A quick break from Saffron Walden lead to the first try in the corner, but St Ives responded well with a converted try early in the second half to draw level. St Ives took control with forwards and backs combining well to score the winner. Tries scored by Nathan Dewar and James Hunter, one conversion by Jack Topham.

St Ives faced Shelford in the second game, a closely fought game with some good open play from the away team. The forwards took control in the loose winning good ball for Jake Hill to release his back line. St Ives continued to control the game in the second half leading to a well worked try following good interchange between backs and forwards, finished with a chip and chase from Dan Malem. The second try and winning try came from a quickly taken penalty from Nathan Dewar who drove over to score. Tries scored by Dan Malem and Nathan Dewar one conversion by Jack Topham. Congratulation to all the players for their best performance of the season.

Under 15s

St. Ives 0 – Biggleswade 5

With the “minis” playing away this week, the under 15s had the run of the club this Sunday morning and played host to their counterparts from Biggleswade RFC. In a game played in atrocious weather conditions, both sides made every effort to play attacking, aggressive rugby. The hosts found themselves playing with the elements in the first half and spent the majority camped close to the visitors’ 22m line. After 10 minutes, Dan Hyde, subsequently named as the Saints man-of-the-match, ran strongly onto a set-piece penalty and made the try line, only for the referee to be unsighted and therefore deny the score. St Ives continued to press and good hands by the backs saw Steve Hehir come close before being bundled into the corner flag. The bigger Biggleswade forward pack was able to repel St Ives mauls on several occasions.

 

St Ives started the second half reverting to a rucking game and attacked superbly against the tide. Matt Nice struck a tough penalty effort well, against a strong wind, but it drifted just wide. Having spent the majority of the game on top, St Ives inability to deal with the ball on the ground, ultimately cost them dearly. A quick diving retrieval by Biggleswade’s flanker won him the ball, which was spread wide for the winger, Dean, to sprint and score in the corner. The home side did not give up and it was very unfortunate that the game was called off with some minutes left due to a freak accident to one of the St Ives second row forwards, which resulted in a trip to hospital.

After a very impressive performance, St Ives were left to rue their missed chances in a game they deserved to win.