Results and Reports 1st October 2006
Under 13's
Bedford 0 vs St Ives 55
St Ives travelled to face Bedford. Following two successful weekends they were more than determined to maintain the momentum. From the start St Ives took control applying pressure on the Bedford defence which was rewarded with the first of 5 tries in the first half. In the second half St Ives continued where they finished the first with a try soon after the restart and continued to apply the pressure. Bedford began their comeback 10 minutes before the end but some brave defending from St Ives denied Bedford a score. This was the best team performance of the season so far with tries from Nathan Dewar x3, Angus Hughes, Jake Peattie x3, Alex Colah and Dan Malem with conversions from Dan Malem x4 and Jack Topham.
Under 16s
St Ives 10 points, Oundle 5
The half term holidays meant there were absentees from both sides, but St. Ives were fortunate as their under-15 game had been called off and, with vocal parental permission, Alex Fry and Andrew Howard were thrown into the fray at the older level. Both boys played with great confidence and acquitted themselves well.
The match was played in a strong wind, into which St Ives played in the first half. They were forced therefore to play with ball in hand (one notable penalty gaining touch behind the gain line!). This played to the St Ives strengths and, with Adam Buttigieg prominent going forward and great play in the centres by James Wood and David Baker, Steve Hehir was released. He stripped both wing and full back to score in the corner, his first of the season.
St Ives continued to defend well against the wind and again made ground after breaks by Dan Breed and Wood. This time Baker found himself alongside captain Dan Hyde in the centre, resting from his superb propping. But, they combined well to release Hehir, who again left the Oundle three quarters for dead as he dived for his second.
Any thoughts that the match would turn into a rout were quickly dispelled, though. Playing with the slope and wind in the second half, St Ives could not stay in the Oundle half, but spent most of it in their own 22. This was largely due to the excellent play of Max the Oundle No. 8/2nd row, who had an outstanding game in the loose. Oundle battered at the St Ives defence and were rewarded with a try by the centre in the final minute. It was somewhat fortuitous as the blatant dropped pass and recovery which caused St Ives defence to hesitate, was missed. Nonetheless, Oundle deserved their consolation score and St Ives relief at the final whistle was apparent.
Both sides keenly await the return match.