Tics Outplay The Hakes
Torquay 38 v 13 St Ives
Last Saturday the St Ives 1st team squad travelled to Torquay for their latest Western Counties West Division league game. Joint head coaches Paul Thirlby and Rob Elloway named a starting line-up which had six changes from the previous game against Tiverton. Ben Taylor started at hooker with Leigh Hocking at prop. Matt Nicholl came into the second row in place of John Lamsin to make his debut for the club. Rob Elloway moved to the flank in place of the injured Cameron Bone. Sam Carter came in at scrum half, with Rhys Brownfield moving to inside centre. Another debutant, Matt Holland, was named on the bench.
St Ives started the game brightly and soon claimed an early lead through the boot of Rhys Brownfield after only one minute with a penalty kick. Six minutes later and the Hakes extended their lead with well taken try after debutant Matt Nicholl made a break, with Josh Palmer finishing. The home side claimed a pushover try from an attacking line out in the St Ives 22 after 12 minutes. James Wood converted to put them a single point behind at 8-7.
St Ives continued to play their rugby and claimed another well worked try when Tom Nicholas and Jacob Ninnes combined, allowing Ninnes to finish and score an unconverted try to make the score Torquay 7, St Ives 13.
The remainder of the first half saw Torquay frustrate the St Ives attack and bring the score to Torquay 10, St Ives 13 at the half time whistle thanks to a converted penalty chance through Joel Ashworth on the half hour mark.
The second half began with St Ives looking to extend their slender three point lead only to be frustrated by stout Torquay defence that eventually saw the Hakes run out of ideas in attack. A converted try from the home side saw them take the lead for the first time in the match at 17-13 after 47 minutes.
From that point onwards St Ives were never really in the contest and the home side went on to score a further three converted tries without reply from the under siege St Ives players.
With the Hakes short of imagination, creativity and penetration in attack the referee brought the game to a close with the final score set at Torquay 38, St Ives 13. This unconvincing performance means that The Hakes have lost ground to league pace setters, Devonport and St Austell, while conceding ground to chasers, Kingsbridge. For the moment they keep third place. One statistic that may be of interest; Torquay are the only side to defeat Devonport Services this season, at home 36:34.
Buffet Lunch
In their next Western Counties league fixture, this coming Saturday St Ives welcomes Truro to Alexandra Road, a Cornish derby. KO is scheduled for 2:30pm at Alexandra Road; any home support would be very welcome. Advertisers and sponsors are invited to attend a lunch buffet, joined by club members, before staying on to watch the match.
St Ives: Ben Jenkins, Ben Taylor, Leigh Hocking, Jamie Hoskin, Matt Nichol, Rob Elloway, Sean Stevens, Martyn Lawrance, Sam Carter, Paul Thirlby, Josh Palmer, Rhys Brownfield, Tom Nicholas, Jacob Ninnes, Grant Thirlby.
Replacements: Joel Stevens, Matt Holland, Tom Chandler (All Used)
