Hakes Gain Bonus Point at Paignton
Paignton 10 : 35 St Ives
The St Ives 1st XV travelled to Devon last Saturday to take on Paignton in their latest encounter in the Cornwall & Devon league. This was only the Hakes third game of 2016 due to the inclement weather conditions that have piled up fixtures for many West Country teams.
The Hakes travelled with a strong team to face the Devon side. Luke Collins made only his second appearance for the Hakes in the second row with Guy Pallett named on the flank replacing the injured Sam Heath.
The Hakes started the game showing the power of their front five, but indiscipline gifted the home side a penalty chance after 5 minutes play that they failed to convert. In the 9th minute St Ives right wing, Peter Mabbott, intercepted a wayward pass and sprinted from halfway to score the first points of the afternoon. The conversion was slotted by Grant Thirlby to put the Hakes 7 – 0 up.
The Hakes continued to show some indiscipline in defence which saw the home side awarded two more penalty kicks in front of the St Ives posts. Sadly for the home side their normally reliable kicker, John Clare, pushed them both wide in the 12th and 14th minutes respectively to see the Hakes maintain their 7 point advantage. That was until the 22nd minute when a strong surge forward by St Ives number 8 Martyn Lawrance gave the St Ives players the chance to attack the Paignton line once more. This time the ball was swept wide to full back, Lewis Thomas, who crossed in the corner to score St Ives second try of the afternoon. Lewis was the first of two players to reach ten tries for the season during this match. Once again Thirlby added the conversion to put the Hakes up by 14 points to nil.
On the half hour mark, Paignton once again had a chance to score 3 points from a penalty and once again Clare showed that he did not have his kicking boots on as the kick sailed harmlessly past the uprights to maintain the Hakes 14 points to nil advantage.
On the stroke of half time following a kick ahead from the home side the ball was fumbled in defence by a St Ives player allowing John Clare a chance to redeem himself. He kickedng the ball past the St Ives defence, re-gathered and scored the try in the corner. This time the conversion was taken by Richard Champion, who kicked the ball through the uprights from the tightest of angles to make the half time score Paignton 7, St Ives 14.
The second half began as the first half with the home side being awarded a penalty in front of the St Ives posts. Champion once again kicked the ball between the posts to put Paignton within a score of the Hakes at 10 points to 14.
The St Ives players then managed to take control of the game. With the wind at their backs, the front five dominating the scrum and the lineout imperious, with Luke Collins in control in the air, the Hakes began to assert themselves and demonstrate why they are a side looking for promotion. The significance of the consistent performances of the players in these key roles lays the foundation for the overall success of the team.
In the 43rd minute, following a good break down the right by second row Jamie Prisk, the ball was swept back inside to flanker Cameron Bone. He showed that he is lethal with the ball in hand in the opposition 22 and scored a well-deserved try. This gives the tremendous back row man a return of 10 tries from just 15 games. Thirlby again converted successfully to move the Hakes ahead by 21 points to 10.
52 minutes on the clock and the Hakes executed a slick catch and drive move from an attacking lineout, with the pack marching over the line. This time it was second row Jamie Prisk himself who was on hand to dot the ball down and score the all-important bonus point try. With Thirlby again adding the conversion the St Ives players were well in control with a lead of 28 points to 10.
The next score came in the 63rd minute, when some excellent work from the St Ives back line saw the ball fizzed quickly wide into the arms of Guy Pallett. He showed a good turn of pace to score his second try in as many games. Grant Thirlby rounded off an excellent afternoon of kicking by adding the conversion to make the score Paignton 10, St Ives 35.
In the 73rd minute the Hakes were reduced to 14 men when scrum half John Trewhella was shown yellow for an off the ball incident. However, despite being a man short, the Hakes were able to play out the last few minutes without conceding to see them confirm victory by 35 points to 10 over the Devon side.
The Hakes are back in action this coming Saturday when they welcome league leaders Bude to Alexandra Road. The St Ives players will need to be on their game 100% in what will be a very interesting top of the table clash. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30pm, and any support at home this weekend will be very welcome indeed.
St Ives: Jess Tompsett, Ben Taylor (Captain), Ben Jenkins, Jamie Prisk, Luke Collins, Guy Pallett, Cameron Bone, Martyn Lawrance, John Trewhella, Paul Thirlby, Tom Murray, Grant Thirlby, Tom Nicholas, Pete Mabbott, Lewis Thomas.
Replacements: Louis Stevens (Used), Sean Stevens (Used), Todd Prisk (Not Used)
