Results and Reports 16th October 2005
Cambs. County Cup. Shelford - Photo's
St Ives U7s
St. Ives turned up at Shelford RUFC for the Cambridge Cup with a large squad of 17 players. Fortunately (or not), another team failed to show, which meant that St. Ives could split the squad in two and thus enabling all the boys to have a great day in the warm autumn sun. The ‘Blues’ were in Pool A, whilst the ‘Browns’ could be found in Pool B.
Pool A
St. Ives 2 v 5 Newmarket
Newmarket provided the ‘Blues’ with a stern test in the first match in the pool, and took an early lead, although St. Ives hit back immediately through Charlie Bowen Newmarket took control of the game with 4 unanswered scores. During this period there were some good runs from Chris Duma and Oliver Naylor, although fruitless they boosted the confidence of the team with Sam Tuckwood registering the final score of the game.
St. Ives 4 v 8 Shelford ‘A’
St. Ives got off to the perfect start when Cullen Smy trundled over in the corner, but Shelford ‘A’ hit back with two quick scores despite fine tagging from the defence, notably Charlie Bowen. Charlie Bowen then registered his second try of the tournament to bring the scores level, following a good pass from Oliver Naylor. Ben Fleming and Daniel Purver weighed in with some fine runs, but were unable to breach the Shelford defence. Shelford then managed to step up the pace after the break and quickly found themselves four scores ahead. St. Ives finally managed to stem the tide with a try from Daniel Purver, and Daniel went over again following a further score from Shelford. Unfortunately for St. Ives, Shelford had the final say in the match with the last score of the game. The final score could have been a lot worse but for fine all round tagging by the St. Ives team.
St. Ives 3 v 6 Ely
Needing to win the final game against Ely to be in with any minute chance of escaping the group stages St. Ives quickly found themselves a try down. They equalised soon after following a good run from Charlie Bowen who passed to Ben Fleming who scuttled over in the corner. There was a tense period when St. Ives had some pressure near the Ely line when Bradley Herbert found himself in the clear, only to be pulled back for some other infringement. From nearly being in the lead St. Ives found themselves behind again! Soon after half-time Sam Tuckwood charged over with a good run, but Ely responded in similar fashion, Sam quickly brought the scores level. This was to be the final score of the day for St. Ives, who somehow found themselves three scores behind as Ely uncovered some bizarre ways of scoring tries.
Well done all the ‘Blues’ players and, despite the results, played well, and, I hope, enjoyed the day.
Pool B
St. Ives 3 v 3 St. Neots
St. Ives came up against the same opponents that had beaten them a couple of weeks previously. In another very tight game St. Ives took an early lead when Harry Spittle went on a mazy run through the St. Neots defence only to get caught a couple of yards short of the line, fortunately, providing great support to be on Harry’s shoulder was William Hirons who was able to finish off the move. St. Neots then pressed for what seemed an eternity but, through excellent defending by the team as whole, danger was averted, and the lead was extended following a great run and score from Thomas Johnson. In the final seconds of the first half St. Neots found themselves on the score sheet. (HT: 2 – 1)
The second half started badly for St. Ives with St. Neots bagging themselves the equaliser, and despite some good tagging again and a great run from Tommy McCarthy things got worse as St. Neots went into the lead. Fortunately for St. Ives, as it was the final play of the match, William Hirons embarked on a searing run to score in the corner and tie the match.
St. Ives 5 v 4 Shelford ‘B’
The second game of the pool opened with a try for the hosts although this lead was ‘short-lived’ as William Hirons continued his one-man try scoring fest with another great run and score. Shelford again gained the lead when their player ‘slid’ in, in the corner. George Peacock was then very unlucky to have a try ruled out when he performed the same manoeuvre at the other end of the pitch, although Harry Spittle made amends, after some good build-up work, to go over in the other corner. (HT: 2 – 2)
The second half started brightly with Thomas Johnson scoring direct from the re-start. Shelford hit back almost immediately, and this was a sign of things to come with St. Ives scoring followed by a Shelford score. The first of these was from Tommy McCarthy who found himself in the clear after some good running and passing from the other members of the team, with Shelford having made it four apiece, the scene was set for Harry Spittle to score the final try of the game following another good run from William.
St. Ives 4 v 2 Wenden ‘A’
Wenden scored the first try of the final group game, although it came after some excellent defending from St. Ives. St. Ives then had possession of the ball for the first time in the game, and Harry Spittle went over after one of his mazy runs left him with an open field to run into. Following more good defending from George Peacock, Daniel Hudson and Flynn Kennedy Wenden were unable to add to their tally. With St. Ives now on the attack again, Zac Ling found himself faced with a Wenden defender, but with a very neat shimmy sent him the wrong way, and strolled through to score. (HT: 2 – 1)
It looked like the game was following a similar pattern to the previous one, as Wenden levelled the scores almost immediately after the restart, this was the last we would see of Wenden on the score sheet as fine tagging from Tommy, Thomas, William and Harry prevented them from crossing the St. Ives line again, and with the ball in hand Thomas Johnson went over again. It was still very tense as another score from Wenden would have tied the scores, but following a turnover and a good pass from William Hirons, Harry Spittle rounded the Wenden defence to give St. Ives the breathing space they needed.
Following the great performances of the St. Ives ‘Browns’ they qualified for the semi-final as ‘best’ runners-up, only second in the group to St. Neots by virtues of tries scored.
Semi Final: St. Ives 5 v 4 Peterborough (after extra-time)
In the semi-final St. Ives came up against a big and much organised Peterborough team, which had just knocked the much fancied Cambridge out of the tournament. Peterborough got off to a fast start, scoring two quick tries. St. Ives were unfazed by this, and soon got into their stride, William Hirons set off on one of his runs, and with Tommy McCarthy in support soon scored their first try. Peterborough soon re-established their two-try cushion, but following his earlier run William Hirons scored the try his efforts deserved. (HT: 2 – 3)
Shortly into the second half William Hirons brought the scores level having spotted the wide-open spaces on the wing. Peterborough hit back to take the lead again, and with time running out the ‘last play’ of the game was called. Thomas Johnson embarked on a speculative run, but the chasing Peterborough defenders couldn’t catch him. The scores were now level. Having been informed of the last play of the game, Peterborough were actually given a further play (?), fortunately some good tagging from Tommy and William kept Peterborough well away from the try line. (FT: 4 – 4)
Peterborough started with possession in extra time, but through some great harassing and tagging from the St. Ives defence, notably George Peacock turnover ball was soon claimed. Thomas Johnson started with the ball, but the Peterborough defence stood firm, eventually the ball found its way into Harry Spittle’s hands, he somehow managed to find a small gap in the defence and wormed his way to score the winning try. Sturdy defence was now required by St. Ives, and right at the death a fine tag from Tommy McCarthy prevented the farce of coin toss to decide the finalists.
Final: St. Ives 3 v Shelford ‘A’
St. Ives now found themselves in the unusual position of finalists, and came up against the strong Shelford ‘A’ team which took an early lead, although Zac Ling scored a fine equalising try, it soon became clear that the Shelford team was more dominant. Despite some stout defending with all ‘hands to the pumps’ Shelford scored two more first-half tries. (HT: 1 – 3)
The second-half looked promising when Charlie Bowen charged over straight from the restart, but more defending was required with all the boys tagging well. This was not enough, however, to prevent Shelford re-asserting their dominance, and with Thomas Johnson adding to his try tally for the day, after another fine run, this was all the tiring St. Ives team could muster. With the defence tiring more good tagging from Tommy, William, Thomas, George, Harry, Freddie Smith and Charlie was not quite enough to prevent Shelford scoring twice more, and claiming the cup.
Congratulations to all the boys who took part in the tournament, and a big ‘Well Done!’ to the ‘Browns’ from all the coaches at St. Ives.
Squads:
‘Blues’ : Charlie Bowen, Chris Duma, Bradley Herbert, Oliver Naylor, Sam Tuckwood, Ben Fleming, Cullen Smy, Daniel Purver.
‘Browns’ : Daniel Hudson, Freddie Smith, George Peacock, Flynn Kennedy, William Hirons, Harry Spittle, Tommy McCarthy, Zac Ling, Thomas Johnson.
St. Ives U8s
St. Ives (DM): St. Ives (DB):
Jake Bowen Max Darer
Samuel Cox Joseph Hudson
James Digby Dylan Laws
Nathan Flack Ross Meagher
Peter Ford Reuben Patrick
Daniel Palmer Cameron Pollock
Niall Tutt George Smith
We did not have quite enough players on the day to be able to commit two sides for the tournament, so the players were split into two groups and played alternate matches. The band of enthusiastic and vociferous parents had the pleasure of a beautiful, sunny autumn day, and witnessed very spirited and committed performances by every one of the team members. The standard of play by both our sides was very high, and we were unfortunate to miss out on a place in the semi-finals by the closest of margins.
St. Ives (DM) 2, Newmarket 2
Scorers: Jake. Daniel
St. Ives were quick out of the blocks, Jake spotting a path to the far corner and scoring almost immediately. Samuel made a run down the middle but was tagged and Newmarket took possession but were adjudged offside. Peter again showed good use of the width of the pitch but was tagged before the line. Daniel made another great run to score in the corner and double St. Ives’ lead going into the break.
Both sides started well in the second half, with energetic tagging by St. Ives, but Newmarket got across the pitch to score in the corner. James made a great run but unfortunately did not hear that he had been tagged, and possession was conceded. Newmarket sent a player on a run right across the pitch, and the St. Ives players were just unable to reach him and prevent him from reaching the corner and scoring the equaliser.
St. Ives (DB) 1, Shelford A 2
Scorer: Cameron
St. Ives started very quickly, George getting on the end of a very long pass from Reuben, but pressure from Shelford prevented St. Ives from gaining much territory. Shelford then seized the initiative with a strong run up the flank to score in the corner. Ross made a great run but was tagged before the line, and Cameron took possession and crossed the line to take the sides in level at half time.
The second half began brightly, with a great sequence of passing by St. Ives and great tagging by Shelford. Max made a strong run for the line but overran after he was tagged, and from the restart Shelford brought the ball straight back up the pitch to score the winner.
St. Ives (DM) 4, Wendens Ambo A 1
Scorers: James, Peter 2, Jake
After the opening exchanges in which possession changed hands several times, James made a determined run to open the scoring for St. Ives. Wendens came back strongly but were forced into touch. Nathan also made a great run for St. Ives, only also to be squeezed into touch.
St. Ives extended their lead at the start of the second half when Peter managed to thread his way through a crowded midfield to score, then he made another strong run across the pitch but did not find a way to the line. Wendens pulled one back, but then Jake made a great run to score and restore the lead. Peter pounced on a loose ball and ran most of the length of the pitch to score the final try of the game and take the score to 4-1.
St. Ives (DB) 5, Ely 2
Scorers: Reuben 3, Ross, George
Ely started the match in possession, but pressure by St. Ives caused them to knock on, and Reuben received the ball from the restart and made an excellent run through to open the scoring. Ely came back strongly, St. Ives withstanding the pressure thanks to some athletic tagging in particular by Reuben and Max, but they dug in and equalised. This recovery was short-lived, however, Ross running straight through the defence to score from the restart. Cameron made a great run to touch down in the corner, but the score was disallowed as he had not kept two hands on the ball.
St. Ives continued to impress after the break, George making a great darting run from the restart to score. Again Ely came back strongly, and again St. Ives withstood the pressure and prevented them from gaining much territory. Twice in very quick succession Reuben pounced on a loose ball and sprinted to score, then Ely scored once again to reduce the deficit. At the end, Cameron made another strong run to the line, but again his try was disallowed, this time as he was adjudged to have fallen to his knees as he crossed the line, so 5-2 it remained.
Under 11's
The first match in the pool was against Newmarket , with the forwards giving a great display of power rugby. It was only spirited defence by Newmarket that kept St Ives from scoring with the game ending in a 0-0 draw. An excellent cohesive team performance.
St Ives then came up against a strong Shelford ‘A’ team shipping two tries in the first half. A stronger performance in the second half saw St Ives conceding only one more try and some excellent tackling prevented further scores.
The third pool match was against Wenden ‘B’ with the forwards retaining excellent possession, allowing the backs to score freely. Improved passing and support play opened up the opposition with hat tricks from Barney West and Innes Christison.
Unfortunately the team didn’t quite do enough to get through to the next phase but showed much promise for upcoming fixtures.
Under 13s
Royston 22 - St. Ives 42
St. Ives’ under 13 squad continued their positive start to the season against a spirited Royston side. Watched by a good crowd in support of both sides the first score came midway through the first half, Saints forwards powering up the field with the backs in close support to put the first points on the board, scored and converted by Tom Whiteside. However, Royston fought back and despite stout defence from their visitors, managed to score two tries with one being converted. This galvanised the St. Ives who responded with tries from scrumhalf Harris Christisson and Aden Fry. Not to be outdone, the home side battled to pull back a score but the Saints defence remained firm, with both Jack Bainbridge and Fry to the fore, ensuring that St Ives went in to the break ahead at 22 - 12 following a great solo try by Robert Langdown.
The second period continued with the Saints forwards working hard and providing plenty of ball for the backs, making for some entertaining open running play. In response Royston provided a spirited and courageous defence and twice broke St. Ives to close the point’s gap. Saints rallied again and were rewarded through further tries by Whiteside, Langdown and debutant scores from Tom Mitcham and Toby Immes-Harris. The final score reflected St Ives passion and commitment to teamwork, tackling and communication and was especially pleasing, as several players are new to the team this season.
St. Ives Man of the Match was awarded to Harris Christisson.