Results and Reports 22nd January2006

St. Ives v. Ely and Newmarket

Under 7’s

St. Ives travelled into the Fens on a cold, crisp winter’s morn with a squad of 21. Along with the hosts Newmarket also came along for the ride.

St. Ives Blues 10 v 11 Newmarket

In a breathtaking game St. Ives were just pipped at the post. The lead changed hands numerous times with St. Ives unlucky not to get a draw out of the game. William Hirons opened the scoring, and despite frantic tagging, notably from William Rolt, Newmarket game back strongly. Tommy McCarthy was soon followed onto the scoresheet by Charlie Bowen; Tommy repeated the trick with some strong running, and, following a good run from Oliver Naylor, stormed over again. William Rolt completed the St. Ives scoring for the first half. (HT: 6 – 5)

Tommy started the second half as he finished the first. Simon Carter then tried to get in on the act only to be stopped short of the line. That young McCarthy then burst over for his fifth score, with Charlie enjoying some freedom before being hunted down. Newmarket, by this stage, had taken the lead again, but Bradley Herbert was on hand to level things. A dubious refereeing decision enabled the opposition to sneak ahead again but Cullen Smy popped up to restore parity, only for the game to be snatched in the final seconds.

St. Ives Blues 8 v 5 Ely

The Blues made amends for just falling short against Newmarket, by coming from two tries down to overcome the spirited Ely team. Having started brightly with good runs from Tommy and Charlie, William Rolt was on hand to go over, but was agonisingly forced into touch just short of the line. This put St. Ives on the back foot and despite brave defence from Tommy, William Hirons and the rest of the team soon found themselves two-nil down. Tommy McCarthy again broke through to put the Blues on the scoreboard and, with defence to the fore, managed to turnover the ball enabling Charlie Bowen to level it up at half-time. (HT: 2 – 2)

The second half produced a burst of scoring, with Simon Carter starting things off, William Hirons was not to be outdone. Jed McDonald showed his prowess in defence with some excellent tagging. More turnover ball eventually found its way to Oliver Naylor who charged down the wing to score in the corner. Back in defence the two Williams were tagging well, Jed then embarked on a run down the wing only to step into touch. Unfortunately this turnover led to Ely levelling the scores. This was, however, their final score as the stronger St. Ives team powered home with further scores from Bradley Herbert, William Hirons and rounding things off was yet another score for Tommy McCarthy.

St. Ives Browns 6 v 5 Ely

In an entertaining match both sides produced some strong attacking moves, coupled with good defence. Ely started with the ball, but good defence from the Browns forced turnover ball, which immediately brought a score for Harry Spittle. Following the leveller from Ely, Flynn Kennedy rumbled through the Ely defence, with Harry in support he almost forced himself over, only to step into touch by the corner flag. This was just a brief respite for Ely as Thomas Johnson spotted a gap and stormed through. Sam Tuckwood then blasted his way around the outside, but was stopped just short; George Peacock was on hand and was able to wriggle passed the remaining defenders. (HT: 3 – 2)

The second half started with a good run from Thomas Johnson, with Ben Fleming able to carry the move forward; when he was stopped Tom Barber made himself available and strolled over. Good defence forced more turnover ball, which Daniel Purver made full use of, just to be caught near the corner; however, Zac Ling was in support to go over in the corner. Zac was again able to benefit by supporting well, after Harry had broken out of defence. The Browns were then unlucky to concede two late tries despite solid defence, as Ely produced some excellent rugby.

St. Ives Browns 9 v 6 Newmarket

The Browns produced an outstanding display, both in attack and defence, to defeat a strong Newmarket team. Although Newmarket started with the ball strong tagging and determined defending forced the turnover, Sam Tuckwood made full use of it with an excellent break, Zac Ling showed the benefits of good support play once again, as he was on hand as Sam was caught, and opened the scoring. Newmarket levelled, but the Browns stormed back with a George Peacock try as he wrong footed the defence, again this was all about support play, as he was able to take the pass from Harry Spittle.

The defence for the Browns stood firm, and more turnover ball enabled Daniel Purver to charge down the pitch, only to step into touch. Newmarket again pressed but excellent defence all round kept them out, and from the subsequent turnover Thomas Johnson ran the length of the pitch to increase the lead. Things got worse for Newmarket as they pressed to get another score, a pass went to ground George Peacock was quickly onto the loose ball, and rounded the defenders as he ran in from half way line. It could have been worse for Newmarket side if Sam hadn’t dived in following a great break. (HT: 4 – 1)

The second half was a little more even, but St. Ives immediately increased their lead when Flynn Kennedy scored direct from the restart. Newmarket responded, only for Tom Barber to weave across the pitch several times, finally being caught. Zac Ling was then able to continue the move, and with two great steps fooled the defence. Some lazy defending and dropped passes provided Newmarket with two scores, before Zac went over again, following an excellent passage of play with good inter-passing and support from Harry and Sam. After the next Newmarket score, Thomas Johnson scored direct from the restart as he outpaced the tiring defenders. The Browns then turned the ball over again, with Tom Barber being stopped just short of the line. Flynn then had another rumble, only to be caught, but Zac was again able to take the final pass and burst through the hole. There was just enough time for Newmarket to get their final try before the referee ended the game.

Squads:
Blues
Charlie Bowen, William Hirons, Oliver Naylor, Tommy McCarthy, William Rolt, Cullen Smy, Bradley Herbert, Jordan Beale, Simon Carter, Sam Dibble, Jed McDonald.

Browns
Chris Duma, Ben Fleming, Zac Ling, George Peacock, Harry Spittle, Sam Tuckwood, Daniel Purver, Thomas Johnson, Flynn Kennedy, Tom Barber.

Under 8’s

The usual group of enthusiastic supporters turned out on this sunny and mild winter’s morning and enjoyed a display of flowing rugby by Saints Under 8’s.

Ely 5 – 25 St. Ives

Saints demonstrated real team spirit and attentive support play to take their opening victory over a feisty home side. Shortly after the start Ross Meagher opened the scoring, having been put through just beyond the half-way line by Peter Ford, and James Digby made a strong solo run to double the lead shortly afterwards. Reuben Patrick opened his account in the second half, and Jake Bowen also scored to take the score to 20-0. The hosts deservedly pulled one back, but George Smith set up Jake for his second to restore the lead just before the final whistle.

St. Ives 35 – 25 Newmarket B

A pulsating, close match in which Saints ran out narrow winners. Newmarket were quicker out of the blocks, taking the lead after a strong run across the pitch to score in the corner. Saints responded immediately, a very strong build-up putting Jake Bowen clear to score, and Daniel Palmer scored to put Saints ahead after an excellent build-up by Nathan Flack and Ross Meagher. From the restart Newmarket responded with some very persistent play and scored twice in quick succession, but Saints pressed forward again and Daniel scored his second to take the sides in level at half time.

The second half began as the first had finished, with both sides trading scores up to 25-25, Saints tries coming thanks to a cross-field sprint from Reuben Patrick and a long run to the corner by James Digby. Saints had the better of the last few minutes, Lewis Smith being hustled into touch just short of the line before Reuben found himself on the receiving end of another strong build-up and restored the lead for Saints. Newmarket again responded and were unfortunate to have a try disallowed, but from the turnover James and Reuben combined to take the ball forward again, and Lewis made up for his earlier disappointment by scoring the final try of the match.

St. Ives 20 – 10 Newmarket A

Another close match which was nip-and-tuck until the late stages when Saints’ fresher legs proved to be the deciding factor. Jake Bowen opened the scoring after a strong run through the middle, but Newmarket responded quickly. Daniel Palmer restored Saints’ lead, again for Newmarket to equalise. Jake scored his second, and George Smith scored a fourth, before newcomer Callum Bains was denied his first ever try for going to ground as he touched the ball down; so 20-10 the score remained.

Squads:
Callum Bains, Ross Meagher, Jake Bowen , Daniel Palmer, Samuel Cox, Reuben Patrick, James Digby, Cameron Pollock, Nathan Flack, George Smith, Peter Ford, Lewis Smith, Dylan Laws, Niall Tutt, PJ Malem

Under 9s

St. Ives U9 30 Newmarket U9 10

In their best performance of the season so far, St. Ives beat a strong and well organised Newmarket side thanks to 4 tries from Sam Hirons and 2 from Tyler Elstub. However it was a strong team performance rather than individual excellence alone which created the foundation for the victory. The front row provided good quality scrummage, maul and lineout ball, the backs were direct in attack and the whole team tackled like demons to create the platform for victory. Playing down the slope in the first half the team made good use of possession to open up a 20-5 interval lead thanks to a hat-trick from Hirons and a further try from Elstub. In the second half the team defended manfully and restricted Newmarket to a single try. They also managed to create the space for Hirons and Elstub to add further tries and complete a memorable victory.

St.Ives U9 0 Ely U9 10

Playing down the slope in the first half, St. Ives were unable to turn possession into points as handling errors at vital times let them down against Ely. By contrast, the home side took full advantage of their possession to run in 2 exciting tries up the hill and take a 10 point half time lead. The second half was more evenly matched with both sides tackling strongly and neither side able to make a decisive break. Sam Kennedy and Toby Naylon ran strongly but both were hauled down short of the line while Lachlan Park tackled with the strength of 2 men to keep Ely at bay.

Under 14s

St. Ives 24 - Ely 5

On a bright but cold morning, the home started strongly playing against the slope and only stout defence kept the home forwards out. However, having secured possession Ely were hit by an opportunist try when full-back Andrew Howard raced through to intercept a pass and run in to score by the posts from fifteen meters out. He also added the conversion. This fired the visitors in to action but again Saints won ball through the forwards. The resulting backs move saw Matt Bligh head for the line only to be stopped short but the visitors conceded a penalty. Alex Bignell seized his chance and forced his way over the line, the try again converted by Howard. The remainder of the first period saw both sides committing themselves fully, with neither side being able to gain control. The second period saw several personnel changes from both teams and with Howard moving to fly-half his intelligent kicking kept Ely in their own half for much of the opening exchanges. Again, the visitors defence was resolute and with no progress having been made Howard elected to take the points from another penalty. The visitors then took the chance when have lost the ball to St. Ives regained possession and drove the ball through their forward pack to score in the corner. Not to be outdone, the home side drove back in to the opposition 22 and with the ball being moved between forwards and backs saw Howard again cross under the posts for the final score, which he again converted. This was an excellent performance in a physical and demanding encounter, in which the whole team responded to the challenge. St. Ives Man-of-the–Match was Jordan Francis for a fine all-round performance in scrum, lineout and open play.

Under 15s

Northampton Old Scouts 17 - St. Ives 21

St Ives forwards started the game in superb fashion, delivering a series of good positions from which the backs attacked. Unfortunately, "white line fever" meant that several scoring passes went undelivered and Saints remained scoreless. They continued to press and were dismayed when a great interception and sprint from his own 22 by the OS centre opened the scoring to give the home side the lead at the break. The second half began with OS exerting pressure through a series of driving mauls. Despite huge defence the visitors conceded a converted try, scored by OS No. 8. From the re-start, St Ives pressure won a scrum, from which Dan Breed fed Matt Nice in the centre, who raced 40 metres to score. Nice converted his own try. From the restart, Ronan Delaney powered onto the ball, the forwards rucked cleanly and fed the backs where Nice once again breached the home defence, feeding Dan Bainbridge who scored under the posts, Breed converting. Some superb St Ives pack play gave the backs the ball with momentum. Swift transfers gave Steve Hehir space and he joyfully rounded the defence to score. Nice made a tricky conversion look simple. OS were not finished and, reverting to their mauling game, ground up field, eventually scoring a try through the forwards. Man-of-theMatch was awarded jointly to Adam Buttigieg and Matt Nice.