Results and Reports 15th April 2007
ST IVES 29 – BIGGLESWADE 17
An altogether brilliant performance from the St Ives Under 13’s at home to a strong
Biggleswade side. It was good to see a number of players putting in their best performances of the season in what was an open and entertaining game. St Ives dominated in the scrums and loose play against what was a much heavier pack.
St Ives had the better of the opening exchanges with the visitors struggling to contain the power and pace of inside centre Jake Peattie. On several occasions St Ives were unfortunate not to take the lead early on when a number of great moves were stopped inches short of the line. The home side took an early lead when Jake Peattie went on a strong run to score in the corner. At the break St Ives were 5 – 0 up. St Ives continued the second half in the same vain as the first with some excellent tactical kicking from Dan Malem at Fly half to keep Biggleswade on the back foot. The second try came soon after the break when Nathan Dewar picked up a loose ball and faced with only two defenders sent a dummy pass out to open up a massive gap to run into to score under the post. St Ives soon went 29 – 0 up with 15 minutes to go when a combination of tiredness and lack of concentration allowed Biggleswade back into the game. They scored three quick tries before St Ives locked up the defence to see the game to the end.
Tries Scored: Jake Peattie x2, Nathan Dewar, Dale ‘Pastie’ Taylor and Will Mandley
Convertions: Jack Topham x4
St. Ives 12 - Northampton Old Scouts 13
The unseasonally warm spring weather saw St. Ives play host to their counterparts from Northampton Old Scouts at Somersham Road on Sunday morning. On very hard ground the good crowd of both home and travelling support were treated to a good game of open running rugby. Both sides were missing a number of players through Easter holidays, which meant some players having to play out of their normal positions. This added further challenges to two well-matched and determined sides.
The home side fared the better from the opening exchanges, with the visitors having to defend deep inside their own 22. From a well-won scrum the ball was moved through the backs with Saints captain Matt Bligh making good ground before releasing full-back Andrew Howard who raced through to score out wide. Saints continued to press hard but excellent defence from the Old Scouts side coupled with some bad decision making and handling errors saw no more scores before a “water break” was called by the referee in the very hot conditions. It was Old Scouts that seemed to benefit most and quickly had the home side having to defend their own line. A free kick from a scrummage infringement saw the ball moved wide and a good try scored in the corner, making the scores level at the break.
The second period saw the hosts lose some direction and discipline and conceded a number of penalties as a result of a constant barrage of attacks by the visitors. From a scrum inside the home 22 the ball was worked to the backs who broke through to score. This seemed to be the wake up call required and St. Ives, ever dominant in the scrum, drove forward in to the opposition half. The Old Scouts defence were forced to touch down behind their own line and from the resulting 5m scrum a “pick and drive” by Jordan Francis saw the ball worked out to Bligh who drove over to score. Howard was successful with the kick to add the extra points. However, Old Scouts hadn’t given up and once again forced errors from the home side, which gave another penalty chance with only minutes remaining. A well-struck kick gave the visitors the lead and although St. Ives made a gallant effort from the re-start possession was lost and Old Scouts were able to clear the ball to safety and the final whistle.
This was another good performance played with much heart and spirit by two well-matched sides.
Peterborough under-16 19 points, St. Ives 40
In glorious sunshine and on a perfect pitch, St Ives enjoyed a dream start. Excellent ruck ball was run straight and released well by the St Ives backs, releasing Steve Hehir on the ovelap to score. Dan Breed added the conversion.
There then followed a period of play where Peterborough won much possession through their bigger pack. The Peterborough backs made ground, but were unable to breach St Ives line. A knock on close to the try line gave St Ives a relieving scrum close to their own line, but rather than kicking to clear, Breed set the back line running and again, good taking and giving across the backs gave James Wood the ball in space. He proceeded to sprint the length of the field to score, again converted by Breed.
Back came Peterborough, but they were still unable to break through. From turnover ball, St Ives once again moved ball through the hands well. Nominated man-of-the-match Matt Nice made the telling break, then giving Adam Buttigieg the chance to score.
Finally, Peterborough were rewarded for their pressure. Good forward play close to the St Ives line gave the scrum half time to put the left wing in at the corner for an unconverted try. Half time 5-19.
St Ives started the second half as they had started the first. Despite being under pressure, they had the confidence to run the ball and Nice once again manufactured space enough for Buttigieg to sprint through and score, converted by Breed.
There then followed a spirited comeback by Peterborough which saw them score twice in quick succession. Strong running by the Peterborough backs put St Ives in trouble and they conceded a penalty. Taken quickly by Peterborough, their man-of-the-match, captain Jack burst through to score a converted try. From the kick off, Peterborough decided to use their backs once more and broke through to score a converted try.
With Peterborough now within one score, St Ives realised they were in danger and began to play once more. Good rucking in many phases got St Ives in to the Peterborough 22. From a broken play situation, Chris Thomas was alert and scampered over to score under the posts. Converted by Breed.
Again under pressure, St Ives used their bakline for relief and Hehir was given space to run. Sprinting up the wing, he then darted between two collliding defenders to score under the posts. Breed once again converted completing a good all round match for the stand off.