Results and Reports 15th October 2006
Under 10's
St. Ives 0 Cambridge 35
Despite a game effort in the first half, St. Ives were overpowered by a strong Cambridge side in the first of three matches. Playing against the slope, strong tackling led by Nick Abbott restricted Cambridge to just 2 scores. However in the second half, the stronger Cambridge side ran in 5 unanswered tries despite playing up the hill to complete a convincing victory
St. Ives 0 Ely 10
The second match was a much closer affair, with strong defence a feature throughout the game, particularly from Malcolm Maclean and Lachlan Park. However, St. Ives were never quite able to make the decisive break despite elusive running from Tyler Elstub, Sam Hirons and Toby Naylon and the game was ultimately lost to a try at the end of each half from Ely.
St. Ives 15 Huntingdon 15
A game of two halves saw a deserved draw between 2 evenly matched sides. From the kick off the Saints’ side tore into the Huntingdon defence with Sam Kennedy leading a driving maul to within 5 metres of the Huntingdon line. Huntingdon defended fiercely but a strike against the head at a scrum gave Tyler Elstub the space to squeeze over for the first try of the match. Huntingdon responded strongly but after the ball was lost in the tackle Sam Hirons sprinted clear of the covering defence to put St. Ives 10-0 up. With half-time approaching, St. Ives stretched the lead further; Bernie Augstein broke clear but was tackled by the cover defence. Chris Radbone drove on before popping the ball to Daniel McManus who powered through 2 tackles to stretch over the line.
In the second half a rejuvenated Huntingdon camped in the St. Ives half for the remainder of the match. Despite spirited defence from Jack Fleming and Bradley White Huntingdon scored 2 tries to set up a grandstand finish. Max Davies and Tim Dale performed manfully in the lineout but with the last action of a thrilling match a sweeping move from Huntingdon resulted in a fine try to even the game up.
Under 13’s
St Ives V Newmaket.
St Ives 28 Newmarket 19
This week St Ives entertained Newmarket at their Somersham Road Ground.
Losing the toss St Ives kicked off playing downhill but with a stiff breeze in their faces. After some neat back play by the Newmarket centres they went over for the first try which unfortunately for them they failed to convert. St Ives then started to dominate with their forwards and ultimately the pressure told and a strong run by Jake Peattie enabled him to go over and score to bring St Ives level. The conversion was well taken by Jack Topham.
Once again the St Ives forwards were causing Newmarket’s pack all kinds of problems with the front row of Georges Collet, Angus Hughes and Dale “Pasty” Taylor dominating in the Scrums. Phillip Geoghean’s throw ins at the line out and great catching by Ben Pirzad lead to further pressure being applied to the visitors. Newmarket’s defence was holding well and when a kick up field was followed up it led to a breakaway try to close the half with Newmarket back in front at12 points to 7
At the start of the second half the St Ives forwards were in evidence again with strong runs and some great tackling by Nathan Dewar and Alex Colah. With the pressure mounting it wasn’t long before Harry Martin went over to put St Ives back in front. The extra points coming from Jack Topham’s excellent kick.
With the backs combining well for St Ives Harry Martin soon scored his second try of the day which was duly converted by Topham.
Newmarket upped the pace and got back in to the game with a converted try half way through the half. This then led to a passage of play where both teams contested well for the ball in the centre of the pitch. Strong tackling by Nick Matthews, Oli Watts and Will Manley enabled St Ives to control this part of the game. Great cover by Ali Brown and James Frost saw St Ives driving up the slope where good play by Callum Wilkins and Ross Graham saw the Newmarket team defend desperately. This was to no avail as Alex Colah applied pressure to their fly half on his own try line and Jake Hill capitalised on the error for the fourth try. Once again successfully converted by Topham.
This was by far the best team performance by the squad who were without 5 players due to injury and holidays.
Under 16's
Newmarket 29 points, St Ives 0
Having played so well to win their Cambs Cup league the previous Sunday, the only side with 100% record at that stage in the competition, St Ives travelled to Newmarket hoping to build on the excellent perfomance against the same opponents that pipped them in the semi-final that day. That had been a very close game. The score line of this Sunday's game did not reflect the ferocity and spirit of the St Ives display, but they were undone by a canny Newmarket team.
The exchanges for much of the first half were even, both sides making breaks and good ground, only to be sent back by stout defence. Just before half time, a chip over by the Newmarket scrum half bounced kindly back into his own arms and he took the chance. This was followed quickly after by another converted score, when St Ives attempting to run from deep were dispossessed and Newmarket gained enough ground for a forward to score.
The second half saw a number of changes made to the St Ives line up and they began to secure decent ball. But, their failure to hold onto the ball in contact led to easy and dangerous counter attack possession for Newmarket. As a result, St Ives attacks often ended in reverse and Newmarket gratefully accepted the opportunities and scored three more tries, one converted.
St Ives kept going for the full 70 minutes and were on the attack once more but were unable to get a score that their endeavour deserved. The opposition coach nominated Dan Breed as St Ives man of the match for his calm and positive approach throughout the game.