Results and Reports 17th December 2006
Under 10's
Ely U10 5 St. Ives U10 15
A tight defensive display from St. Ives shut out a strong Ely side for much of the game, allowing a hat-trick of long range tries from Sam Hirons to win the game. Playing against the elements in the first half, ferocious tackling from Bernie Augstein and Harry Leyden helped to repel repeated attacks from Ely. Quick ball from a scrummage against the head deep in their own half allowed Tyler Elstub to feed Hirons on the blind side who swerved past the Ely winger and outpaced the cover defence to open the scoring. He scored the second try from similar range after Sam Kennedy slipped the ball out of the tackle into space and as a result the side went into the half time break 10-0 up. In the second half Ely rallied strongly and a short range try from one of their props narrowed the gap to 1 score. However another long range special from Sam Hirons made the score 15-5 to the visitors and tenacious tackling kept the home side at bay for the rest of the match.
Ely U10 0 St. Ives U10 20
In the second fixture between the teams, strong tackling from St. Ives was again the difference between the teams. In the first period, Ely ran strongly but were unable to penetrate a tight defence with Tim Dale, Malcolm Maclean and Bradley White in the thick of the action. St. Ives' half-backs always looked more threatening and it was no real surprise when Sam Hirons carved his way through the home defence to score. Just before half-time the lead doubled when Tyler Elstub broke from the back of a maul and evaded several attempted tackles to score a second. In the second half the St. Ives pack ground down the opposition and prop Sam Kennedy burst from a maul to drive over from 10 metres out. The scoring was completed 5 minutes later when hooker Daniel McManus drove over from short range after strong mauling from Kennedy and Max Davies.
Ely U10 5 St. Ives U10 15
In the final match of the series a passionate defensive display enabled St. Ives to complete a clean sweep. St. Ives always threatened in attack with wingers Toby Naylon and Jack Fleming both going close before Sam Hirons again ghosted through the Ely midfield to score. Hirons was on hand to add a second just before half time to go into the break 10-0 to the good. In the second half Ely pressed hard but centres Bernie Augstein and Chris Radbone were outstanding in defence. Eventually though the Ely pack created an opportunity for their prop to score from close range after a line out to narrow the gap but the Young Bulls pack raised their game for the final minutes and put Daniel McManus clear from the back of a maul to steamroller over from close range for the final score of the game.
Under 13's
St Ives 60 - Rushden 0
St Ives again came out on top this weekend with a superb performance against Rushden & Highams team. Rushden were short of a few players and Greg Dale from St Ives bravely volunteered to make up the numbers by playing for the opposition. Another fine team performance with both the backs and forwards combining well to produce a number of spectacular tries. A hat-trick of tries was scored by Jake Peattie and Dan Malem as well as tries from Angus Hughes and Nick Matthews. 5 of the tries were converted by Jack Topham. The boys now have a well deserved Christmas break, resuming training on Wednesday 03 January 07.
Under 15's
St. Ives 53 - Rushden & Higham 0
On a bright sunny morning a large crowd of both travelling and home support gathered at Somersham Road to see Saints play hosts to Rushden & Higham in their final game of this half of the season. Buoyed by a constant supply of hot food and drinks (thank you Lesley and Caroline!) a vocal crowd were treated to a "real winter warmer"!
The visitors chose to play with the elements, selecting to go downhill and with the sun behind them, which posed a threat to the home side. However, from the kick-off St. Ives showed their intent and having won a penalty the forwards drove on, set the ball back and quick hands from the backs saw Andrew Howard score out wide. The Saints again pressured from the restart, showing some good combinations between forwards and backs. A Rushden lineout was stolen and Alex Bignell's low driving run saw him crash over the whitewash. The home side had to compete fiercely for possession and excellent rucking and mauling saw them win another penalty in the visitors 22. Andy Cox seized the initiative, quickly moving the ball wide. Josh Gladwell stooped to collect a bouncing pass and dived over for his first score for Saints. Howard rounded off the move with a spectacular conversion from the right touchline. The home side continued to throw everything at the Rushden line and only valiant defence thwarted wave after wave of attack. The final score of the period came when Howard fielded a clearance kick in his own half, ran the ball back and off-loaded to Tino Zicchi who jinked his way down the line before putting Matt Bligh in for a try. Half-time 22-0.
Rushden came out firing for the second half and with a couple of changes made, Saints found themselves having to defend. Once the new combinations settled, Saints once again took control, with the forwards dominant in the scrum. A back-row move saw Ben Sockett driven over for his first score of the season. Rushden did not give up and again took the ball forward in to home territory. Turnover ball in the home 22 saw Howard break out making some good ground before releasing his fellow three-quarters. A wonderful piece of interplay between Bligh, Haydon Bailey saw speedster Zicchi taking the outside line, rounding the last defender and scoring under the posts. Howard added the extras. The next score came from another stolen lineout, from which Jordan Francis made hard yards before sweetly passing out to Bligh who broke from his own 10 metre line, shrugged off two challenges and scored a superb try. Saints continued to press and Howard was on hand to finish another backs move, set-up with great support from the forward pack. He converted his own score. The final score of the game saw another fine piece of interplay between forwards and backs. David Cummings and Luke Bird worked well to overturn opposition ball. Robert Hickman, in his first game back after six weeks out with injury, drove forward, released Bailey who was stopped short of the line but managed to get the ball to Hickman in support to score. Howard rounded off the move with the conversion.
This was a superb team performance, with both teams competing throughout. Rushden never gave up and made Saints work hard to win and keep ball. A satisfying end before the Christmas break saw the team reap the rewards of much hard work in training.
Saints Man-of-the match was Matt Bligh, who worked tirelessly and played selflessly throughout, helping the newer players and scoring two excellent tries.
St. Ives scorers were, Tries: Gladwell, Bignell, Hickman, Sockett, Howard (2), Bligh (2), Zicchi
Conversions: Howard (4)