Results and Reports 13th January 2008
Thorney under-17s 17 points, St Ives 53
If St Ives had een expecting an easy ride against they had beaten well in 2007, they were in for a rude awakening. At the first scrum, the Thorney pack marched St Ives back several metres and ensured St Ives realised they were in for a tough match. The eventual score line belied the effort made by Thorney, whose forwards were strong throughout.
After weathering the initial storm, St Ives were awarded a penalty, which skipper Dan Hyde drove towards the Thorney line. Quick release by man-of-the-match Ali Geddes, who had a superb game at scrum half, released the backs and Dan Bainbridge scored in the corner. Again under pressure, St Ives spread the ball wide in the their own half and Ben Carter left the defence standing, to score in the other corner.
St Ives began to play with good continuity and the lively work of back row forwards David Baker and Simon Dunn once more got them to a good position. A well executed catapult between Dan Breed and Matt Nice broke the line, with Nice putting Carter in for his second, which was converted by Breed.
Soon after, another passage of play, with great interpassing between the forwards and backs, took St Ives the length of the field, before Bainbridge broke clear for his second.
Perhaps considering the job was done, St Ives relaxed and Thorney's own pressure was rewarded with a try in the corner.
Playing the unaccustomed position of full back, James Wood was fielding the swirling ball well. From one attack, he was left with half the field to run, and outstripped the entire defence to score on the half time whistle, converted by Breed.
Half Time 5-34.
From the kick off, St Ives immediately gained possession and sniffing a tiny gap, Breed sprinted through the defence to score a converted try, shocking the Thorney side.
There then followed a period of stalemate, but Thorney begam to realise that their fortune lay with their strong forwards. However, turnover possession eventually released Steve Hehir, who scorched down the touchline for a try.
Thorney did not give up and came back with a good try of their own, through continuous forward driving.
Even though well in front, St Ives defended the next period as though their lives depended on it. Time and again, the Thorney forwards attempted to break the line, only to be repelled by stout defence. Eventually, St Ives secured turnover ball and a wonderful straightening of the line and give by Ronan Delany, release Steve Hehir. With three men still to beat, a smart step inside took him to the line, converted by Breed.
Thorney had the last word after a period of pressure sucked in the St Ives defence and they were rewarded with a converted try.