Just 15 lads made the journey out to West Norfolk, with injuries and school trips depleting the squad. St Ives looked a bit lethargic from the off, and poor defence allowed West Norfolk to run in a try after just 2 minutes, with high winds pushing the conversion off target. Some more strong attacking play from West Norfolk almost led to a second try, but the St Ives lads had woken up and defended brilliantly, forcing a penalty which was kicked clear to give us a breather.

West Norfolk were quick at the break down and St Ives found themselves losing possession a number of times in open play, and struggling at the line out due to high winds. Some more pressure from West Norfolk got them a second try, but St Ives were soon on the attack. Great teamwork saw the lads make their way up the pitch, this time keeping possession. A penalty against West Norfolk for a high tackle gave us the ball just 15 metres from the try line. A quick tap and go almost got us over the line, but just short, so a lovely pick and dive from our scrum half was a great first try. Conversion blown wide!

Down to 14 after half time so West Norfolk dropped a player to match numbers. St Ives were looking set for an early runaway try, but a powerful tackle into touch prevented the try and resulted in injury meaning one of our second row was off for the remainder of the game. West Norfolk lent us a replacement. The second half saw West Norfolk bring on fresh legs, and take a well worked try at 10 mins. St Ives responded with a powerful display of teamwork and determination, moving forward phase after phase, and resulting in a number of penalties against West Norfolk. The St Ives attack kept up the pressure, getting us over the line at 17 minutes, this time nicely converted.

A lovely 50-22 kick saw us with a line out within the 22, but West Norfolk won possession. A few turn overs for both teams, then a scrum to West Norfolk just a few metres from the try line saw them sidestep our defence for an easy try. Unfortunately fresh, quick legs enabled an intercepted pass just a few moments later for another West Norfolk try.

A few warnings for high tackles to both teams, and our hooker was just the next one so unfortunately a yellow card, with West Norfolk making the most of the overlap to take another try. But another determined display from St Ives again led to frustration from West Norfolk leading to a yellow card for some unfortunate afters. With both teams now down to 13, St Ives kept up the pressure and took the last try of the match in the last minutes of the game, nicely converted.

With a few more players available on our side, the match might have finished up differently. But the grit, determination and teamwork were a pleasure to watch.