9th April 2006
Results & Reports
Under 13s
St. Ives 57 - Rushden & Higham 27
St. Ives started this match in good spirit against a side that beat them heavily earlier in the season. A positive start was soon rewarded with the first try of the game scored by St. Ives strong running centre Pat Nicholson; converted by Tom Whiteside. Playing down the hill and with a slight wind advantage Saints used the conditions well and scored with regularity during the first half. Robert Langdown ran the length of the field for his try; Whiteside converted. Dynamic number eight Jack Bainbridge scored next, again Tom Whiteside converting. The backs were playing confidently and Harris Christisson scored far out after a dancing run down the touchline. The final score of the half came from Pat Nicholson again and Whiteside added the extra points.
To their credit Rushden came out strongly in the second half, with their impressive No.8 making some good runs but was magnificently tackled by Jonny Williams, probably St. Ives
smallest player! Pat Nicholson scored two more tries in this half, with Jack Bainbridge and Harris Christisson getting one more each. Tom Whiteside converted three more tries to round off a good kicking display. This was a very good performance by the St. Ives squad who have learned much in their first season in the 15-a-side game.
Under 15s
Ely 6 - St. Ives 15
With both sides depleted by holiday absences, this turned into a very close, exciting game. St Ives could not have wished for a better start when, with only one minute gone, captain Dan Hyde received from a penalty and charged through the defence to score a try. Dan Breed converted. Back came Ely and it was often only great second line defence by David Baker that prevented a score. Persistent pressure eventually brought the home side a penalty in front of the posts, converted by the Nr. 10, who had a fine match. The St Ives forwards rucked well to win much good ball, but the final pass could not be made to score. Finally, a long series of rucks ended with Hyde breaking down the blind side, releasing Simon Dunn to score in the corner. Just before half time, an offside by St Ives gave Ely the chance to score another penalty.
In the second half, Ely attacked well and good defence by Greg Thurston and Dan Geoghgan, both playing out of position in the backs, kept Ely at bay. Dan Bainbridge made a try saving tackle to give St Ives great heart. From a lineout stolen by Josh Bennett, the ball was spun to Steve Hehir who made great ground. From the good position made, Saints won a penalty, which man-of-the-match Dan Breed coolly slotted to secure victory.