Results and Reports 22nd April 2007
Under 16's
St Ives under-16 6 points, Shelford 19
At short notice, St Ives shorn of some regulars were happy to entertain Shelford for their last 15-a-side match of the season. For St Ives it proved to be a half too far.
Shelford started very strongly and playing with the slope put St Ives under severe pressure from the kick off. On many occasions Shelford's very strong 2nd row made incisive runs. However, a couple of white line fever occasions by Shelford forwards left overlaps begging and gave St Ives' last ditch defence the opportunity to keep them out. In particular, thumping tackles close to the ruck by joint men-of-the-match Tom Dowding and Ronan Delany forced attacks to founder.
Having been pummelled for some time, St Ives forwards began to ruck their way into the game and gain ground. Good breaks by Adam Buttigieg and Steve Hehir gained position for St Ives from which a penalty was gained. Matt Nice converted the score. Only a few minutes remained until half time with Shelford once again attacking hard. They released their left wing who was chased doen by Nice, forcing the wing to unluckily step in touch before grounding the ball. Half time 3-0.
Shelford started the second half with some changes to personnel, but no difference in attacking intent. St Ives continued to attempt to spread the ball wide and mid way through the half, the Shelford pressure finally told with the outside centre running on to a loose pass made under pressure, intercepting to score under the posts. The try was converted.
At this point, although only a few points down and with quarter of the game to go, the heart seemed to go out of St Ives. Shelford bagen to ruck St Ives off the ball and found space through the tiring St Ives defence. After one series of pick-and-drives, Shelford scored an unconverted try in the corner. St Ives fought back but could not get close to the Shelford line. However a penalty chance, converted by Nice, put them back within a score to set up a tense last 5 minutes.
Shelford attacked and found a gap in the centre to release the backs to score a converted try on the final whistle to bring St Ives recent fine run of form to an end.
The last action of the season will be as part of the Loughborough 7s on May Bank weekend.