Old Club Makes First Visit

Match Preview

St Ives Hakes v Plymouth Argaum Saturday 14th November KO 2:30pm

St Ives is able to field a strong side for the match against Plymouth Argaum at The Recreation Ground tomorrow at 2:30p.m. This will, I believe, be the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Plymouth Argaum came into being as long ago as 1887, so have celebrated their 125 year anniversary. They have had a meteoric rise since 2010-11 when they were languishing at the foot of Devon 2. 2013-14 and 2014-15 brought successive promotions. They will consider this to be a top fixture against a side with considerable history.

On the field there are several changes to the pack. Jess Thompsett makes his ninth appearance in succession. His fellow prop is Ben Jenkins, while captain, Ben Taylor, returns from county duty to lead the side. The second row has another newcomer. Jamie Hoskin becomes the 34th player to represent the Hakes this season. He becomes the fifth player to lock alongside Jamie Prisk.

The back row is unchanged for the third match running; Bone, Heath and Lawrance. The bench provides a number of options in the forwards.

Sam Carter returns to scrum half after the heroics of John Trewhella at Newquay last week. Head coach, Paul Thirlby continues at first five eighth, with brother, Grant and Tom Nicholas completing the midfield, again unchanged from last week. The back three is still without the injured Nathan Allen who celebrates his engagement at the club tomorrow evening. Peter Mabbott and Ryan Bishop hold the wings, while Lewis Thomas returns to full back after being involved in several exams last weekend. We wish him academic as well as rugby success.

The Plymouth Argaum website is well worth a visit for those interested. The history of the club is well documented and there is a whole centenary history available for one to peruse online at http://www.centenaryhistory.argaum.org.uk/ A further treasure trove is to be found at http://argaum125.argaum.org.uk/ his will keep the most ardent anorak of rugby well fed!

The Plymouth side rose to 2nd in the league after five weeks. Two home defeats have seen them drop to sixth. It will still be a good contest for St Ives, who will no doubt be practicing the strategies and plans they need for the next match at Bude. Perhaps Pirates Amateurs can produce another upset and favour for St Ives by defeating the Bude boys tomorrow in Penzance.

The full squad for tomorrow is:

Jess Thompsett

Ben Taylor (captain)

Ben Jenkins

Jamie Prisk

Jamie Hoskin

Sam Heath

Cameron Bone

Martyn Lawrance

Sam Carter

Paul Thirlby

Grant Thirlby

Ryan Bishop

Tom Nicholas

Peter Mabbott

Lewis Thomas

Replacements

Tony Stevens

Neil Corin

Ben Wheeler

David Bramwell