Cup Squad Hopes to Sting Hornets

Newquay Hornets v St Ives Hakes // Tribute Cornwall Cup 1st Round

This Saturday the Hakes play away to Newquay Hornets in the first round of the Tribute Cornwall Cup. Injury and unavailability brings several changes from the team that gained a five point bonus against Hayle. Newly promoted Newquay, fresh from Cornwall League One, have found the higher standard difficult to cope with so far. They have lost all four games in the league. Their best result was a loss of 16 to 11 against Falmouth. The St Ives squad looks strong enough on paper, but there is no room for complacency, as any England supporter knows.

Tony Stevens starts in the front row, with Ben Wheeler hooking after his one week absence. Ever present and influential Jess Tompsett continues at prop. Ben Taylor starts on the bench.

The second row partnership of Prisk and Chandler is proving to be a real encouragement. Both are try scorers. Jamie is showing consistency in his support play, driving runs, ball retention and off loads. Tom has the speed of a winger and also provides good lineout ball.

Louis Stevens and Martyn Lawrance are enjoying the freedom of being in the back row. Both are powerful, one full of experience, the other, last week’s man of the match, learning the game at a pace. New signing Cameron Bone comes straight in for Neil Corin. Sam Heath remains injured for a while yet. Sean Stevens becomes available from next week.

Paul Thirlby is sticking solely to coaching this week. This means that Sam Carter steps in at stand-off, outside of Jason Jackson. Grant Thirlby and Tom Nicholas again occupy the centre positions. Ryan Bishop has another outing on the right wing, while Nathan Allen, sorry to miss out on the try fest last week, is rearing to go on the left. His pace may well prove a little hot for Newquay to handle. Young Lewis Thomas is at full back. He is already showing ability under the high ball and awareness for space to make good meters from deep.

Ben Jenkins is ‘rested’ to the bench. Sam Bristow returns after injury and Aaron Rowe completes the squad.

Full Squad 1 - 19

Tony Stevens

Ben Wheeler

Jess Thompsett

Jamie Prisk

Tom Chandler

Louis Stevens

Cameron Bone

Martyn Lawrance

Jason Jackson

Sam Carter

Nathan Allen

Grant Thirlby

Tom Nicholas

Ryan Bishop

Lewis Thomas

Ben Jenkins

Ben Taylor

Sam Bristow

Aaron Rowe