Hakes Take Back The Bay Shield

St Ives 29 v 7 Hayle

On Boxing Day at Alexandra Road St Ives welcomed their local rivals Hayle from across St Ives Bay to compete for the Bay Shield in the annual traditional fixture.

Hayle were the holders of the shield following their narrow 9 points to 8 victory over St Ives in 2014, there being no fixture last year as Hayle were unable to raise a side.

The match this year was a competitive affair with the game being closer than the score line suggests. A good crowd attended Alexandra Road in the sunshine on Boxing Day and they were rewarded with some entertaining rugby.

It was St Ives who took the leading in the 19th minute, through first team regular Lewis Thomas, who converted the try himself to put the Hakes 7 points to nil up. Five minutes later and another first team regular, Martyn Lawrance, grabbed a second try to give St Ives a 12 points to nil lead at the break.

The second half saw the Hayle players create some pressure of their own and this was rewarded in the 44th minute when Fred Carter crossed for a well-deserved try. Gareth Mankee added the conversion to put Hayle back in the game at 12 points to 7.

As the game wore on it was St Ives who took control. On 60 minutes St Ives charged down a Hayle clearance kick. St Ives’ Jamie Prisk gathered the loose ball and made a break for the line. The ball was offloaded to Lewis Thomas who scored his second try of the match.

3 minutes later St Ives added another try when Hayle made a mess of a 22 dropout which was gathered by a delighted Niall Prisk who celebrated with the crowd on his way to the line.

With St Ives ahead by 24 points to 7 the result was beyond doubt and this was underlined in the 76th minute when Martyn Lawrance grabbed his second try of the match, with Thomas again adding the conversion to make the final score St Ives 29, Hayle 7.

St Ives are back in action on the 7th January when they travel to Exeter University for their first league game of 2017. Kick off in Devon is scheduled for 2:30pm and any travelling support would be very welcome.